Post traumatic epilepsy

[AdeleSA]

I developemd seizures after a motor vehicle accident and although my life changed dramatically 18 months ago when it all started, I feel silly compared to all of you who have more severe epilepsy. I have been taking Epilim (Depakote) to control the seizures but also to help with the pain I had from the head trauma. Thankfully I don't have any brain damage. I eventually got to the point where the pain was under control and it seemed that the seizures were being controlled too. I was on 1800mg per day and slowly over the last 6 months or so I have been weaning off and yesterday went down to 900mg. (I have been seizure free for 9 months) I am hoping that I will be able to wean off the medication completely, and as soon as possible, the only thing is that the doctors I have been dealing with are not very helpful here in South Africa. Does anyone have a guide on how quickly I can wean of the meds?

[neilB]

Hi AdeleSA,

I too developed seizures from an accident. I was hit by a car while riding a bicycle. Severe head trauma and three metal plates to keep all the pieces together. I had my first seizure about 6 months after the accident. The docs said there was a "chance" of a seizure but didn't put me on meds until it actually happened. Don't feel silly either. Everyone here is great and very helpful and understanding. PS. I was in South Africa several years ago and it's a beautiful country.

[AdeleSA]

Thanks Neil! My seizures actually also started a few months after my accident. Yes South Africa is a beautiful country but unfortunately in some areas, like our state health system, we need some serious 'work'. Take care

[Nakamova]

Hi AdeleSA --

Welcome!

It's very hard to predict an individual's chances for seizure recurral. It's great that you responded well to meds, and I hope this bodes well for you being seizure-free after you go off them.

The drug companies have a standard taper timeline that they recommend for their meds. My experience is that tapering even slower than recommended can be beneficial. In general, if you can taper slowly and in tiny increments, it can allow your your brain to adapt and re-balance at each reduction, and lessen the chances of a seizure. Unless you are having a very hard time with med side effects, going slowly can't hurt, and can very possibly help.

Best,
Nakamova

[Endless]

Hi, AdeleSA,

Welcome to CWE!

I'm sorry about your car accident. There's been a ton of research on football players and soldiers. Even a small accident with a mild head injury can damage the brain. Especially if it's been repeated concussions over time.
Here's an article whose orignal source was the United Staes Centers for Disease Control (the government):
http://www.headinjury.com/sports.htm

I've had so many minor head injuries I can't even count. Some from sports, some from a couple of car accidents. Only one of the bumps on the head made me unconcious, and that was only for about 5 minutes. I don't know if that's what caused my seizures, or if it was inherited (we think my father had epilepsy), or if I inherited it and the head injuries made it much worse.

I bet if you reflect over your lifetime, from when you were a small child onward, you or your parents will think of times you hit your head. As a toddler hitting your head on the coffee table or the cement, as a kid falling off your bike, as a teen playing sports, etc.

Since they caught your seizures early there's a chance you may be able to get off your meds someday. It happens to some people. Other people are on these for life. I'm surprised that your doctor is taking you off your meds. Most doctors probably wouldn't even try taking you off until you are at least 2-5 years completely seizure free.

On this site there's advice on going off this stuff, but remember it isn't a DOCTOR's advice. It's highly recommended that you get a doctor's help in doing ths. The advice on taperin off is way down the page, so click and look about half way down. http://www.crazymeds.us/depakote.html

I don't agree with that site. I think you should go off over weeks or months, not days.

Nakamova is right. Going slowly will help your brain adjust and be less likely to bring on a seizure. Since your doctor is not replacing Depakote with another drug (so you'd be on another drug when you are tapering off), then you need to go extra slow. When you go down to the last few dose drops, I've heard you should do it even more slowly.