Hi,
Unfortunately, I am back hoping, once again, for some help from the very supportive and kind people who participate on this Forum. Background info: My son, 27 years old and developmentally delayed, suffered two tonic clonics on March 10, 2014. They were only the 3rd and 4th he's suffered in his life. Previously, he had two tonic clonics on May 31, 2012. He was taking 400 mg of Dilantin (phenytoin) a day and went 22 months seizure free and then on March 10th of this year our lives changed once again. He is now taking phenytoin 3 times a day for a total of 500 mg daily. Our local neuro prescribed Keppra for what appeared to be partials that started on March 15, 2014. He appeared to be having daily partials but in hindsight they may have been cluster migraines. (We tapered off that awful drug, Keppra, and his personality and energy level are now pretty good again.) We just finished Keppra on May 13, 2014. As a side note: On April 7th, we went to Rush U. Med. Center to see Dr. Michael C. Smith, an epileptologist who specializes in seizures in the developmentally disabled, and it was Dr. Smith, whom I highly respect - he is the director of the Epilepsy Center at Rush U Med Center and treated Joey in 2012 - who said Joey's symptoms didn't sound like partial seizures but rather cluster migraines.
Present Day: Joe has sharp, piercing pains, stomach aches, sweats, nausea and dizziness that come on suddenly and seem to be increasing in frequency. He's ultra sensitive to sound, especially to wind, light, sunlight, touch and wants to walk around, loosen his belt buckle and take a shower while these episodes last. He had these symptoms the night of Mother's Day, and almost every day since. They are very scary as he and I both think he's going to seize but he never loses consciousness or has tremors or twitches or muscle contractions. He did complain of a stiff neck today after today's episode but I think that happens with migraines too. The episodes last about 30 - 45 minutes and are painful and difficult as he is very fearful and irritable. Does this sound like migraines to anyone here? He recovers well afterwards but I am not sure what I should be doing for him.
Dr. Smith did say that if we determine that he is having actual partials, we can add Topamax to his meds, which apparently helps with both seizures and migraines.
Any words of wisdom will be most appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Christine
Unfortunately, I am back hoping, once again, for some help from the very supportive and kind people who participate on this Forum. Background info: My son, 27 years old and developmentally delayed, suffered two tonic clonics on March 10, 2014. They were only the 3rd and 4th he's suffered in his life. Previously, he had two tonic clonics on May 31, 2012. He was taking 400 mg of Dilantin (phenytoin) a day and went 22 months seizure free and then on March 10th of this year our lives changed once again. He is now taking phenytoin 3 times a day for a total of 500 mg daily. Our local neuro prescribed Keppra for what appeared to be partials that started on March 15, 2014. He appeared to be having daily partials but in hindsight they may have been cluster migraines. (We tapered off that awful drug, Keppra, and his personality and energy level are now pretty good again.) We just finished Keppra on May 13, 2014. As a side note: On April 7th, we went to Rush U. Med. Center to see Dr. Michael C. Smith, an epileptologist who specializes in seizures in the developmentally disabled, and it was Dr. Smith, whom I highly respect - he is the director of the Epilepsy Center at Rush U Med Center and treated Joey in 2012 - who said Joey's symptoms didn't sound like partial seizures but rather cluster migraines.
Present Day: Joe has sharp, piercing pains, stomach aches, sweats, nausea and dizziness that come on suddenly and seem to be increasing in frequency. He's ultra sensitive to sound, especially to wind, light, sunlight, touch and wants to walk around, loosen his belt buckle and take a shower while these episodes last. He had these symptoms the night of Mother's Day, and almost every day since. They are very scary as he and I both think he's going to seize but he never loses consciousness or has tremors or twitches or muscle contractions. He did complain of a stiff neck today after today's episode but I think that happens with migraines too. The episodes last about 30 - 45 minutes and are painful and difficult as he is very fearful and irritable. Does this sound like migraines to anyone here? He recovers well afterwards but I am not sure what I should be doing for him.
Dr. Smith did say that if we determine that he is having actual partials, we can add Topamax to his meds, which apparently helps with both seizures and migraines.
Any words of wisdom will be most appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Christine
