Hello!

[Big Sis]

My little sister has had epilepsy for 10 years now (she is 27). She has been on many different drugs that do not help. The meds have made her tired, depressed, and confused. She is currently on Lamactil and since her last seizures (6 grand mals in 1 day) her Dr. has put her on Keppra as well. She has already tried Keppra years ago and had to get off it because it made her severly depressed. Not sure why he thinks it won't do the same this time???
I have had seizures as well but have not had any in 9 years. I was never put on meds and sometimes wonder what would have happened to me if I were. I joined this forum in hopes of finding hope, support, and helpful information that my help our family through this. Hopefully I can get my sister to check out the forum as well.

[epileric]

I think your little sis is so lucky to have an older sister that can truly empathize with her seizures.

This place is a great resource for information. Check out the Epilepsy News as well as the forum, there's a lot of interesting stuff there too. I think you'll also find the people here to be very helpful & supportive. I know I have. Meanwhile look around & make yourself at home.

[RobinN]

Hi Sis - I do hope your sister will come check out CWE
She might find alternatives that would help her to reduce her medication, and feel better over time.
Really great that you have found us. WELCOME

[Meetz1064]

welcome. You have found a wonderful home here. Mr B is an AWESOME host, and built us such a safe haven here.

Feel free to hang out, ask questions, and explore. If we don't know the answers, we'll certainly point you in the right direction.

Make sure you check out all the nooks and crannies, and do get your sister to come exploring, too. I'm sure she'll like it here as well.

Personally, I've found better control since I've gotten onto the GARD diet....

Take care,

Meetz

[alivenwell]

Welcome!

It's great to hear you are so supportive of your sister. When they find that right treatment for epilepsy, specifically for her, then her quality of life will drastically improve.

[Bernard]

Hi Big Sis, welcome to the forum.

There is a wealth of information in here. I'm sure you will stumble upon something that will help. There are many proactive steps she can take as well as complementary non-drug approaches such as diets, neurobehavioral therapy and EEG neurofeedback.

Vitamin B6 supplements can help curb the "Kepprage" (moodiness side effect of Keppra).

Make yourself at home here.

[skillefer]

Hi Big Sis! Welcome to CWE. I hope you can get your sister to check us out. As for why you've been seizure free for 9 years, who knows. Every brain is different. Some of us outgrow a particular type of seizure. As for the docs med decision for your sister, he might be thinking that the lamictal will balance her out and not cause the depression that she had years ago. It's actually not that unusual for people with seizures to be on more than one medication. Heavens, I was on depakote and phenobarbital for a long time. But then the doc said that I "outgrew" the one that required me to take the depakote, so he weaned me off. I wish your sister the best of luck. Also, feel free to ask questions, chime in, or just vent in the padded room. Epilepsy can be frustrating for the patient as well as the family. There's some great info here. So check out the epilepsy 101 thread in my signature, as well as the link that Bernard suggested. Hope this helps.