Controlled Absence Seizures

[Crazy Monkey]

Hello everyone

I was just wondering if anybody here has absence seizures that are 100% controlled by taking medication and currently holds a driving license, your replies would be much appreciated as I need to know if there is hope for me one day owning a motorbike I have taken medication for 20 years and have got no where, the doctors have been changing my medication all year and have achieved nothing, the only reason I am bothering with this is the chance to get my license, but I am beginning to wonder if there is any point and whether to just give up on my dream of getting a bike.

Are you or do you know of any medication success stories regarding absence seizures?

Thanks

The Crazy Monkey

[morgan381]

100% control for how long? I have complex partials. Every time I've ever had them, they are status and lead to a secondary t/c. I've never lost my driver's license, though I have been instructed not to drive for periods of 3 to 6 months after a seizure. I was actually able to go 21 months with no anti-epileptic drugs between my first and second seizures. The second one came out of the blue. At that time I was put on Keppra. During the past 5 years, I've had 4 breakthrough seizures (each of which was nonconvuslive status, leading to 2ndary t/c--technically 4 t/cs-- 2 of which occurred on the same day). Each time, my medication was increased. I am currently taking 1500x2 keppra and 100x2 lamictal. I have not had any seizure activity in just over 11 months. From what I've been told, doctors consider it 100% if a person goes 2 years without seizure.

[Crazy Monkey]

Hi Morgan

Maybe I didn't explain myself very well, 100% controlled to be able to gain a license and to keep it with no seizure activity at all. As my neurologist told me that I would probably never be allowed my license, as it is very unlikely that I would go 2 years without an absence seizure and I was just wondering if anybody in this forum has accomplished this

[skillefer]

Hi Crazy Monkey! For your best chances, I'd check out what the driving laws are where you live. If they require a doctor's letter stating that you can drive, then it sounds as though you might have some problems with the doctor that you have. I've gone 9 years at a time with 100% control over grand mal/tonic clonic seizures. So check to see what the driving laws say. And, maybe you should check out the alternative treatment thread. I use vitamin supplements as a supplement to my meds. And they really do work. At least for me. Each case is different, but it's worth checking out.

[Bernard]

My wife eliminated her multiple, daily absence seizures over 10 years ago with EEG neurofeedback. I highly recommend it.

[morgan381]

Crazy Monkey,
What you wrote made sense, when I reviewed what I wrote, I realized that I did not effectively convey my point. (sorry)

What I should have said was that the possibility of getting your license depends on the laws in your area. I can only measure my 100% success in seizure control from the time of my last one; which means I have had 100% for nearly a year. The medications I have been taking successfully are keppra and lamictal.

Sorry for the confusion...

[Crazy Monkey]

Hi Skillefer and Bernard

I have done some investigating today, the laws for the UK are 12 months seizure free, unless you have simple partials or nocturnals, I lose full awareness during a seizure so that rules me out.

I noticed that my seizures were reduced a lot last year when I was going out with a guy (Steve), I was doing everything that would trigger them such as clubbing with flashing lights, which in turn meant late nights so lack of sleep and lots of alcohol etc - which is where neurofeedback comes into the equation, it shows that my moods can control my seizures, but neurofeedback is out of my price range. Maybe a cheaper option would be to try and get Steve back into my life, which I am currently on :o)