4 Year Old diagnosed with Absence Seizures

[careygray]

In March of this year, my 4 year had full seizure. We went to the hospital, where he countinued to have seizures and he was diagnosed with having absence seizures through an EEG. At least I finally had some answers to questions I had regarding him.

My son was born with Dextrocardia and had been healthy until last year in November. At that time he was diagnosed with C Diff and 3 days later with Rotavirus. He has always been low in weight and we have had a gastroentrologist since his C Diff diagnosis. He is on Periactin for weight gain, Zantac for stomach pains, Milk of Magnesia for constipation.

Then came the day he started having seizures. He is on Keppra twice a day. Now he has what I call "ticks". He sucks his thumb, pulls his hair, is scared of everything, doesnt like bright lights. Is this normal with epilepsy?

He is always complaining that his right leg hurts, to the point he is screaming in agony. Had that xray. Has had every blood test known to man.

Now our gastro doc says he knows something else is going on but just doesnt know what. Even threw the word Luekemia out there. So we go and see the nuero next week.

Sorry I just went on and on but it did say let everyone know about you.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi careygray, welcome to CWE!

I'm sorry you and your little guy are struggling. It can often be tough to distinguish seizures from side effects, but what you describe sounds more likely to be side effects than absence seizures. Keppra can cause anxiety and emotional stuff so it may be doing a number on your son.

If he is having gut absorption issues, that could be playing a role in his seizures -- some times they are caused by imbalances or deficiencies in nutrients or vitamins. Not sure if it's an option given his digestive issues, but for some kids and adult the Modified Atkins Diet can help control Absence Seizures. More info here: http://www.atkinsforseizures.com/

Best,
Nakamova

 

[jyearta]

Hi Careygray,

Welcome to CWE. I hope you find this forum to be helpful, supportative in all kinds of ways.
I sorry to hear that your little boy is going through so much.

I myself had E. has a child, but wasn't diag. until I was 18 years old. Newly married.

I have been on about all the E. meds. that is out there. Now I'm back to dilantin & clonazepam was added.

You mention in your post that he doesn't like lights, when I was on Keppra, I couldn't stand the movement of the ceiling fan, it made the light in the room flicker (if that makes any sense), I couldn't stand to look out my window through the blinds. I'm not trying to scare you anymore than what I'm sure you are already.
There are many people in this forum that take Keppra, and they tolerate it very well.

Is this the 1st. meds. that his dr. has tried? I ask this because there are many meds. and each one of us reacts diff. to diff. meds.

I'm praying for you and your son.

 

[careygray]

Yes, the only medicine he has been on is Keppra and he has been on it since March. The light thing just started this past week. Do the reactions to the medicine keep changing?

 

[jyearta]

Do the reactions to the medicine keep changing?

For me, when I was on Keppra each day I had yet another side effect, it got so bad that my husband had to get a sitter to come to our home before he left for work.
My Epileptologist that put me on it would NOT listen to my husband when he called to tell them of all the side effects, her remark was, Well is she having seizures, my husband said NO but she can not keep living this way. Then she just said--- well if she not having seizures than that means its working.:rock:

This is when I found another Neur. and asked to put back on dilantin.

Have you spoken with his Dr. on these side effects that he going throgh?

Sometimes we have to make that call and force a dr. to change medications. Chaninging meds. is scary, I know but what works for one doesn't work for someone else.:twocents: