Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Diagnosed yesterday with epilepsy

Thu, 04/26/2018 - 12:00
Hi--Two weeks ago my 15 year old had a seizure while in class and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. The seizure lasted 90 seconds and he had no memory for about 6 hours of that day. We had a follow up EEG this week and learned that he has both generalized and focal epilepsy so they started him on levetiracetam. We go for an MRI and couple of weeks to see if that shows anything else. Any way, this is all new and he is really upset--worried about being able to drive one day and coping that he won't be able to go to a military academy. Luckily, he is being seeing at Johns Hopkins so I feel super lucky about that being so close. Just stressed and worried as this is so unexpected.

Comments

Ask if they have a teen

Submitted by Amy Jo on Sat, 2018-04-28 - 12:09
Ask if they have a teen support group, either for epilepsy, newly diagnosed patients or kids with chronic conditions. The driving issue will take time as one needs time to know if one’s seizures are controlled with medication/treatment. There is grief over loss of hoped for goals so exploring grief, coping skills, and other issues that come with a new diagnosis with a therapist is something to consider.

you may consider the

Submitted by tullio on Thu, 2018-05-03 - 00:13
you may consider the relationship between food and epilepsy:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25394911 : Epileptic seizures as a manifestation of cow's milkhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10479881 : Partial cryptogenetic epilepsy and food allergy/intolerancehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27629850 Celiac Disease and Epilepsyhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17122729 gluten and epilepsyhttp://n.neurology.org/content/68/7/533 Occult celiac disease presenting as epilepsy and MRI changes that responded to gluten-free diethttps://www.epilepsy.com/connect/forums/complementary-therapies/magnesium-deficiency https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19049584Please report your experience

Hi Kellydi,Thanks for joining

Submitted by epihelp on Thu, 2018-05-03 - 17:19
Hi Kellydi,Thanks for joining our community. Coping withe the new diagnosis is very hard.. It will get easier as you learn what  you and your family are facing and how he responds to medicines. Amy Jo brings up a great point. Getting connected with other teens is very helpful. Also check in with the Epiiepsy Foundation locally - here is link to Marylandhttps://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates?field_affiliate_address_administrative_area=MD&field_affiliate_zips_value=And plenty of people to help in our community and chat room!  

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