AEDs not necessary in early stages of epilepy

[Bernard]

The Lancet published the results of a study recently claiming that there was little long term difference in treating the early stages of E with meds:

Weighing the Benefits of Epilepsy Drugs

In the study, researchers compared the effects of immediate treatment with epilepsy drugs vs. delayed treatment in a group of more than 1,400 people who had had one seizure or were in the early stages of epilepsy with infrequent seizures.

Half of the participants received immediate treatment with epilepsy drugs, primarily Tegretol and valproate, and the other half did not receive epilepsy drugs until they and their doctor agreed that treatment was necessary.

The results appear in the June 11 issue of The Lancet.

The study showed that immediate treatment with epilepsy drugs did reduce the number of seizures in the first two years of treatment, but not without side effects, including fatigue, drowsiness, and nausea.

But the study also showed that virtually the same number of patients who were treated immediately with epilepsy drugs and those who delayed treatment were seizure-free for three to five years after the start of the study (76% of the immediately treated patients vs. 77% of those who delayed treatment).

There was also no difference in the quality of life reported by both treatment groups.

Delaying Epilepsy Drugs May Be OK for Some

[lindy]

Sure makes sense to me. Dartmouth-Hitchcock seems to have adopted this attitude a few years ago. When my daughter was still at Dartmouth, a boy in one of her classes had a grand mal during class. Freaked out everyone but my daughter (of course, she had seen it all before so she knew what to do). Anyway, he was taken to the hospital and was told to get more sleep - do less partying - and to take a multivitamin daily. No anti-epileptic drugs. Maybe doctors are finally starting to wise up!

[Bernard]

I wonder if there are more studies ongoing like this one that will be testing for longer periods of time.

[lindy]

I'd like to think so but since most of these studies are funded by the drug companies, it probably isn't likely. Even if they did, they probably wouldn't release the results since the so-called alternatives work so much better than the drugs and it would cut into their profits.

[Julie C]

Hi Bernard,hope you & Stacy are ok.I have been on Tegretol Retard/ Carbemazepine 1600mg for ages now.My Tonic Clonic seizure are not and never have been under control during the day.The night time ones have stopped for now.I have Myoclonic jerks down my right side when I'm tired.I had my EEG on Wednesday afternoon.I think the specialist is trying to say the reason the medication is not controlling the seizures is they are Non Epileptic seizures.I used to be accused of faking the seizures now I've suddenly got a different type of Epilepsy.Big Pain Take care luv Juliexx

[Bernard]

Goodness. I hope you get it sort out Julie! I know the healthcare system works differently in the UK. When do you expect to hear back on the EEG results? If the specialist believes that the seizures are non-epileptic and non-effective, did he recommend you stop taking them?

[Julie C]

Hi thanks for answering.No he has not stopped them for now.I suppose I will find out when he see's my EEG results.That will be a couple of weeks time he will let me know if I have an appointment.As I said I did have night time Tonic Clonics but they are under control.Take care luv Juliexx

[Birdbomb]

Julie

Did he imply they were pseudo-seizures? We have a lady in our group who suffers from both pseudo-seizures and epileptic seizures. When the doctor gave her the diagnosis of the pseudo, he then began to act differently towards her. Like she was faking it all. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/an...onepilepsy.cfm

[Julie C]

Yes that's exactly how I feel I was treated by specialists, paramedics, doctors, nurses.Luv Juliexx

[Bernard]

Well, if you were in the USA, I'd suggest telling them to stuff it and find more empathetic help.

I don't think anyone who has witnessed a real tonic clonic would be fooled by someone trying to fake one. It would be nigh on impossible to simulate consciously IMO.

[Julie C]

I was finally seen by a GP from my surgery when I had a seizure at the Post Office it lasted 20 minutes or more.He told my husband Jon there was no way I could of faked that as I shook constantly for 20 minutes.Take care luv Juliexx

[RobinN]

I wish I had delayed the anti-seizure meds for Rebecca. I believe they caused more problems and didn't help at all.

[stilldancing_98]

I agree with you Robin. It has put Alex thru hell. And I have just seen my son come into the sun recently after being toxic. I can finally see that ADHD they diagnosed him with years ago. He's bouncing all over the place! Drives me crazy. but Welcome Alex. I love you.