Diastat Question

[hootie]

I faxed my son's drug form and seizure action plan to his neurologist. The nurse at the neurologist called to ask if I wanted a prescription for diastat (this was listed as an option on the seizure action plan) so some could be kept at school. I did not know what diastat was or if he would need it. I have since looked it up on line but still don't know if it is necessary for my son. I figured the doc would know but the nurse just kept asking if I wanted a Rx. I eventually said yes because I figured I don't have to fill it.

My son has only had absence seizures and is on Depakote. The Depakote was not controlling the seizures until I added in herbs prescribed by a TCM practitioner.

So...what do you think???

[epileric]

I would think that if the TCM herbs were working & controlling the seizures the smart thing to do would be to see if you could eventually lessen the amount of Depakote.

Wouldn't starting a 2nd anti-epileptic drug when the seizures are under control be a bit redundant?

[hootie]

I am under the impression that the diastat would only be used in an emergency situation if he had a full-blown seizure that lasted for over 1-5 minutes. He only has had absence seizures (none recently thanks to TCM) that last for up to about 10 seconds.

So...do you think I need the diastat on hand if he had some *intense* type of seizure? The school already has in the seizure action plan that they would call the paramedics if he had a different type of seizure than an absence seizure. I'm guessing they would administer something like diastat if needed.

I just don't really know much about seizures other than absence seizures. I know they can be very serious.

[epileric]

From the sounds of it you really don't need it but IMHO it'd be best to keep with the nurse & not need than the other way around.

[hootie]

I was kind of thinking that.

OTOH...I am tired of buying meds that are not used and I have to throw out when they expire (epipens and compounded benadryl for my two food allergic boys)!

[epileric]

It sounds like you wouldn't need to buy more than a couple of pills if the chances of emergency are that small but best to have them in case needed.

[hazleyez2201]

I have had to use diastat once in the 6 years that my son has been having seizures. It was about two months ago. His seizure didn't stop after 5 minutes and i ended up having to use it. It is a good thing to have around just n case. I never thought I'd have to use it but glad i had some around. His seizure ended up lasting 12 minutes before it stopped. He was just put on depakote and going to wean off trileptol.