2 out of 4 kids with epilepsy? genetics?

[brendlm]

Okay, I am really worried. I posted about my 3 yr old having a gran mal seizure while with my nun today. My 11yr old was just diagnosed Friday with epilepsy. What's the chances of this happening? I'm way weirded out and feel helpless. Could this possibly be genetic?

 

[brendlm]

Sorry can't type my daughter is 4 not 3. She has an EEG in the morning and looks like we both will be sleep deprived LOL!

 

[Endless]

It may be a coincidence, and there is also a chance that there is some shared reason. Possibilities include:

• an inherited gene that causes epilepsy
• an environment they both share (toxic black mold, lead poisoning, or being in the same accident and both hitting their heads, for example)
• a shared inherited disorder or disease that isn't epilepsy that has seizures as a symptom (like celiac's disease)
• some other shared reason

Here's some information on genetically caused epilepsy:

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/l.../womenshealthtopics/genetics-and-epilepsy.cfm

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/familial_focal_epilepsies.html

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/table_metgen_genetic.html

This is a great topic to ask the neurologist about. There were also a couple of studies on genetics and epilepsy. Here's one that's completed.

http://www.bioportfolio.com/resources/trial/124611/Genetic-Study-Of-Familial-Epilepsy.html

 

[Andrew]

Here is a list of known genes assocciated with Epilepsy:

http://www.genecards.org/index.php?path=/Search/keyword/epilepsy%20/0/500/score/desc

 

[Starburst]

I am in the same situation. I joined the forum because my newborn baby was having seizures. Within a matter of weeks, my 17-year-old son was diagnosed with epilepsy as well. This was very shocking to me. The doctor said it could be genetic but doesn't have to be. I have five children all together. Now that I know a little more about epilepsy, I believe I too may have had several seizures when I was in my late teens and 20s but did not understand what was happening. Thank you to those who posted information and links on this topic.

 

[brendlm]

I am in the same situation. I joined the forum because my newborn baby was having seizures. Within a matter of weeks, my 17-year-old son was diagnosed with epilepsy as well. This was very shocking to me. The doctor said it could be genetic but doesn't have to be. I have five children all together. Now that I know a little more about epilepsy, I believe I too may have had several seizures when I was in my late teens and 20s but did not understand what was happening. Thank you to those who posted information and links on this topic.

Thank you so much for this post. Its so nice to know I'm not the only going through this. Hope all is well.

 

[elizzza811]

What jumped out at me was that the two of you have preteens/teens living side by side with their much younger siblings, all of them recently diagnosed with epilepsy. Any chance these tweens/teens are on their cell phones a lot? And are there any cell phone/wifi antennas or towers nearby?

http://www.antennasearch.com/

The jury is still out, but it's something to consider. It would definitely explain why lightning struck twice...

Seizures Caused by Cell Phone Radiation:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7424090_se...radiation.html

Mobile Phones and Epilepsy
http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/mobile-phones

Read this thread though...

Cell Phones and Seizures - Is there a link? (forum thread)
http://www.epilepsy.com/discussion/987859

 

[Shawnna]

Both of my sons have Epilepsy; oldest was diagnosed with Janz myoclonic around age 11 (way before he had a cell phone) - easily controlled since diagnosed with Depakote. Youngest has generalized Epilepsy - has been very challenging to control and he's now on 3 meds; Keppra, Lamictal & Vimpat.

What's interesting about this is they have a half sister (shared Dad) who has a type of epilepsy as well.

Neurologist treating my youngest feels there is a genetic link. Would love to participate in a research study to find out for sure.

 

[elizzza811]

It's not just about the phones though...there are towers and antennas everywhere now. There's no escaping exposure nowadays, so their seizures might still be related to microwaves. And some research suggest that these exposures can alter DNA.

Below is a graph from 2008, so it's old, but this graph shows the exponential increase in the number of cell phone users over the years, and thus, more towers and antennas to support this growth. And my own health began deteriorating in the mid-90's - there was a cell phone antenna on top of a water tower overlooking my home. My ex-husband, a heavy cell phone user, had a brain tumor removed.

http://tinyurl.com/7rbzw58

So IMO, it's still a possibility. And if you're still skeptical, this article might interest you...

Attitudes to the Health Dangers of Non-Thermal EMFs:
http://www.es-uk.info/docs/20080117_bevington_emfs.pdf

Bottom line is we really need to stop assuming this technology is safe (cell phones, wifi, towers, antennas, and so on). If this technology can create brain tumors, triggering seizures is certainly a possibility to be considered. And not proven unsafe does not necessarily equal 'safe'.

 

[Endless]

Found a couple genetic studies that are still recruiting:

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00552045?term=Epilepsy&rank=1

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00041951?term=Epilepsy&rank=17

There are a few data bases that contain lists of medical research studies. Visting them once in awhile and searching on epilepsy might bring something else up:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/
http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/

 

[brendlm]

Both of my sons have Epilepsy; oldest was diagnosed with Janz myoclonic around age 11 (way before he had a cell phone) - easily controlled since diagnosed with Depakote. Youngest has generalized Epilepsy - has been very challenging to control and he's now on 3 meds; Keppra, Lamictal & Vimpat.

What's interesting about this is they have a half sister (shared Dad) who has a type of epilepsy as well.

Neurologist treating my youngest feels there is a genetic link. Would love to participate in a research study to find out for sure.

Well, I can relate. My daughter and my son have different dads. Makes me feel like it has to be coming from my side if it is inherited. I don't know much about my family history.

 

[RobinN]

Food sensitivities are also known to cause seizures.

 

[Nikkal]

BFE is very likely to be genetic, and fortunately, it is usually outgrown in adolescence/early adulthood. One of my friends had it and did outgrow it - her sister was never diagnosed with it. She's in her mid 30s and hasn't had a seizure since her early teens, stopped taking meds at around 18.

While they've identified the genes likely to be involved in BFE, what they haven't done yet is sufficient twin/family studies to see if the gene needs an external trigger or not - most genetic diseases, according a friend who is working on a PhD in genetics, that have been identified do not need a trigger. Some manifest in very different ways depending on a variety of factors. It's entirely possible all your children have BFE, or the gene for it, but for whatever reason they're asymptomatic.

Cell phones, microwaves, smart meters etc DO NOT CAUSE GENETIC DAMAGE, nor do they trigger a genetic disease. Your electric stove produces more radiation than your wifi router. No need to "assume" the technology is safe, there are thousands of studies that show it is.