Hi I'm

[arose1984]

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and I'm a 24 year old divorced/single mom of a 3 year old son. I'm also a student in the medical field and I live/work in Iowa.

My first seizure occured with I was 19, my parents found me having a grand mal. After testing, they determed that I had juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, strange at my age. I was then placed on Depakote ER and no breakthroughs occurred until I was pregnant with my son, I was driving and pulled over just in time to have another grande mal. At that time my dosage was increased and again everything was fine until a year later (now three years later).

I was at work, and had been complaining to my neurologist about the depakote. So we tried Keppra with horrible results. I had over twenty seizures in one day, including two hospitalizations and numerous IV's full of atrovent and depakote. Since then my seizures have been controlled and I'm too terrified to try another med even though I hate the depakote. Lately I've been having a lot of break through twitching however, something that concerns both me and my boyfriend.

I have suffered depression for years however never linked it to epilepsy until some recent research was done. While I am on anti-depressants I have been having a lot of trouble lately. I've seen a lot of my patients come in with seizures, on ventilators and vegetables with very poor prognosis. It scares me to think that I could end up that way if something happens. Worse yet, leaving behind my son, or having family not sure what to do with me (even though i've told them, they don't like my decisions so it makes me afraid they won't follow my wishes). I know I should be grateful that my seizures are mostly controlled and that I do not have as many problems as most, but I feel as though no one understands what it's like. I use to be extremely smart, a straight A student. now some days I struggle to do anything, even getting awoken suddenly has horrible reprecussions.

I'm hoping that I can find some insight on this little corner of the internet, or at least meet with others who could possibly understand how frustrated and hopeless I feel. Thanks to anyone who read this very long drabble LOL.

- A. Rose

[brain]

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and I'm a 24 year old divorced/single mom of a 3 year old son. I'm also a student in the medical field and I live/work in Iowa.

I was at work, and had been complaining to my neurologist about the depakote. So we tried Keppra with horrible results. I had over twenty seizures in one day, including two hospitalizations and numerous IV's full of atrovent and depakote.

- A. Rose

Amanda!

Welcome to CWE, glad to have you here and seizures suxs
doesn't it? However if you noticed I've highlighted the medications
above, I'm a little bit confused. Atrovent is a spray, for those
who have Asthma, Acute Respiratory Infections of some type,
such as COPD, Bronchitis, etc... The generic name is Ipratropium.
In other words, it's an inhaler. I know about this because my
Niece has Asthma and she was on it, and they do not come
in IV's and when you posted that - I had to look that one
up, because I've always known they were sprays/inhalers,
and I was correct, since my deceased father was a Pharmacist.

Depakote - has a notorious side effect, and since you've posted
you're a student in the medical field, I'm a little puzzled why you
hadn't looked this up in the pharmacology reference book, for
in there, you would find the side effects of the medication.

I have suffered depression for years however never linked it to epilepsy until some recent research was done. While I am on anti-depressants I have been having a lot of trouble lately. I've seen a lot of my patients come in with seizures, on ventilators and vegetables with very poor prognosis. It scares me to think that I could end up that way if something happens.

I suggest very strongly that you arrange an
appointment with one of them as soon as possible
to go over everything and cover all the bases, it's
possible that you may be having difficulties with dealing
with stress, or some other issues, which is triggering
fears - a talk with your Doctor is the best approach
and method you can do, for we are not Medical Doctors
here nor can we provide you Medical Advisories either,
only your treating Physicians can provide you with the
best personalized care, after all - they have your chart,
information, and everything about you in their possession.

So I strongly encourage you to stay strong, and make
the phone call tomorrow, and make that appointment,
and you won't regret it and it'll be the first step and
approach you will make for a brighter future ahead for
you and your family!

Hang in there! Depression is a common thing and not
to be ashamed of, so what you've posted here, print it
out if you have to, and show it to your Physician(s).

Good Luck!

[ashmstng]

Hello Amanda~
Welcome to CWE Board. I can say you picked the right place to come and vent or talk to anyone about your frustration of seizures. Everyone on here is very understanding and helpful if you have any questions. I hope you the best. I do want to say look how far you made it with school and job. As of me I am 26 and still waiting to be able to drive and go to school to be a Patient Care tech. Just take things day by day and know you have a wonderful son by yourside. Stay strong. Nice to see new people on the board. Take care.

[Bernard]

Hi Amanda, welcome to the forum.

What kind of student are you to have patients with seizures?

[josieb]

Hi Amanda and welcome to the group! I've learned from previous experiences that everyone has different reactions to the different meds. Prior to my surgery, my neurologist tried me on Keppra. After being on it for only a few days, I had the same reaction that you dealt with - numerous complex partial seizures, about one every hour. I was taken off of it the next day. Although I've experienced other types of side effects from additional different medications that I've tried, none were like the Keppra. I've also dealt with the depression issues and it all appears to be associated with both the epilepsy itself and the medications. I wish you well. Sincerely, Josie

[drarvindr]

Welcome
I'm a fellow doctor with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Why'd they give you ipatropium bromide for status epilepticus? Unless you're asthmatic or the doctors in the hospital are morons , i don't get it.
As for depakote ER( divalproex sodium) , i think depakene( valproic acid) is the Drug of choice for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. It almost always works and has a high therapeutic index.
re: the depression , i'm amazed you haven't mentioned your drug history to your neurologist. If you're on anti depressants , then you might want to lower the dosage. There's a pretty good chance the antiseizure drugs are causing the Depression. Anyway you need to see both your neurologist and your psychiatrist . I don't think juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an excuse for accepting less from yourself. I got through med school with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. why can't you? Sure i got a B+ average , less than i would have hoped , bt that's what you get from being lazy)

[skillefer]

Hi arose! Welcome to CWE. I agree with Bernard and Dr. Avind. You need to talk to your doctor. For all you know, your antidepressant might be interfering with your anti-seizure med. So go talk to your doctor, and if you need to, take the boyfriend with. He might be able to actually give the doctor more info from a different perspective.

[Cint]

Hi Amanda and welcome,

Sorry to hear you're having a difficult time. Have you discussed with your neurologist and psychiatrist the possibility of hormonal issues interfering with seizures and depression?

My seizures started when I was 22 years old and slowly progressed over the years after I had children, thanks to female hormones. And the anti-epileptic drugs can wreak havoc on the emotional area of the brain. I've been on anti-depressants for years, also.



BTW, Dr. Arvind,

I don't think juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an excuse for accepting less from yourself. I got through med school with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. why can't you? Sure i got a B+ average , less than i would have hoped , bt that's what you get from being lazy)

Are you accusing her of being lazy? I sure hope you don't treat patients this way when you do become a doctor. Because of some male doctors who had attitudes like this, I now see only female doctors!

[sixpack]

Are you accusing her of being lazy? I sure hope you don't treat patients this way when you do become a doctor. Because of some male doctors who had attitudes like this, I now see only female doctors!

I think he was accusing himself of being lazy that's why he got a B+. Atleast that's how I read that.

[drarvindr]

That's how it was meant to be read . I'm LAZY - there i admit it

[drarvindr]

btw ,
I

sure hope you don't treat patients this way when you do become a doctor. Because of some male doctors who had attitudes like this, I now see only female doctors!

FYI people , I am a doctor.
In india you can apply to med school directly without doing the pre med 4 years. which is why i am 24 and have MBBS after my name !

[Cint]

btw ,
I
FYI people , I am a doctor.
In india you can apply to med school directly without doing the pre med 4 years. which is why i am 24 and have MBBS after my name !

Let me clarify, I meant when you become a neurologist. Thanks for clearing things up and what you really meant. IMHO, I prefer someone with a few more years behind their belt for the doctor(s) I see personally, preferably female at least in their 40's. Nothing against you.

Cindy

[brain]

I think he was accusing himself of being lazy that's why he got a B+. Atleast that's how I read that.

And that's how I read it too, and he's admitted to it!

LOL! Even I get lazy too.

But this thread has kind of gotten

[arose1984]

Hi everyone again, just wanted to clarify something. I meant to type in ativan, not atrovent, when that was typed up. LOL i'm a respiratory therapy student, must have had my test still on the brain. My neurologist knows full well my past with depression and the meds I'm on. he has informed me that one has nothing to do with the other. He also says that my lack of writing and reading skills, and my verbal skills, all of which have declined since I started having seizures, are not related. he thinks I should receive counseling for possible dyslexia (i've been tested by a psych and was told I'm not dyslexic, nor do I have ADD). I've been told he's a leader in the field, however I'm about to just find another doctor even if it means looking a distance away.

Thanks again for all the replies!

[brain]

Hope these information below helps:


Find a Doctor - Epilepsy Foundation / AESNET

(However the Epilepsy Foundation, if you clicked on
the upper left corner on that same page, can also
be of assistance if you need any, by contacting them
and their number is normally found (toll free) on the
bottom of just about every single page)

It's not an exhaustive list, and contains
Neurologists / Epileptologists - usually
Level 3 / 4 Specialists.

=====================

There's also the Epilepsy Level 3/4
Centers (not all are included) - Map, which
some of them have been updated and have
websites:

Epilepsy Centers (United States)

=========================

And then there is the famous Cleveland Clinic
that has excellent Neurology / Neuroscience,
which have branches in various parts of the
United States as well - and you can find out
if there's one available in your area by going
to their main website:

Cleveland Clinic

PS: I'm heading to Cleveland Clinic myself in
a few weeks, in Florida... on the other side of
my State from where I live.


GOOD LUCK!

[drarvindr]

hi again
LOL about the atrovent typo .. happens 2 everyone. i dont feel you are dyslexic orhave ADD ( the typo notwithstanding ) . You have said

I use to be extremely smart, a straight A student.

and a learning disability would have been picked up far earlier in your childhood. Have you ruled out possible organic pathology with an MRI or fMRI?
Another thing you should check up. There are a few journal articles that state that repeated complex partials can cause frontal cognitive impairment.
There has been some work that states that pts with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy can have cognitive impairment , although it caveats that further research is needed ( see Piazzini et al , Epilepsia ,Volume 49, Number 4, April 2008 , pp. 657-662(6)). You may want to take an opinion from an experienced epileptologist.