Are newer AED similar to older AED

[Jacquie]

I'd like to know if the newer AEDs are similar to the older ones such as Dilantin, Depakote, and Neurontin. I ask because my mom had the severe form of SJS and was on those three meds. Are Keppra and Topamax similar acting drugs??

 

[Nakamova]

Known SJS triggers among epilepsy meds are Phenytoin (Dilantin), Depakote, Neurontin, any of the sulfonamides (including Zonisamide and Diamox), Lamictal, and Tegretol. There are some cases reported with Topamax and Keppra as well, so it would be risky for your mother to try them. If she did, the ramp-up would need to be extreeeeemely slow, done in miniscule increments.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome isn't that well understood, so it's difficult to guarantee that any particular med is safe for someone who has a known hypersensitivity. One school of thought is that SJS arises from a disorder of the immune system, perhaps with a genetic component. So your mother may have an inherent vulnerability that makes her particularly susceptible to SJS.

Any chance she could try something med-free, like neurofeedback?

 

[Jacquie]

The treatment is for me if the EEG shows seizure activity again. As or my mom she is on 4mg of Ativan daily for her seizures. I am trying to figure out what my options are in regards to treatment. I read about neurofeedback, but don't really understand it...

 

[Nakamova]

Neurofeedback is a way of training the brain to produce "good" brainwaves and suppress "bad" ones. It works a bit like a video game, except that you are using your brain rather than your hands to make progress in the "game". In a basic set-up, you have EEG sensors attached while looking at a monitor. When you produce the right brainwaves, a change occurs in the program -- a flower may grow, or a spaceship may advance, etc. Over time (usually 40 sessions), the brain's "muscles" are strengthened.

More info here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/eeg-neurofeedback-501/ and here: http://www.eeginfo.com/what-is-neurofeedback.htm