My daughter started having absence-type seizures at about 10-1/2 years old. They increased in frequency until she was having 20 or more each day. She started anti-seizure medication at 11 years old. At 15 she had her first grand-mal seizures. She was diagnosed with epilepsy last year. She is 16 now, and although she hasn't had a grand mal for almost a year, she still has multiple small seizures on a daily basis and she is constantly exhausted and feels overwhelmed. She is nervous and somewhat uncoordinated and overall slower than she used to be physically. She is naturally very bright and quick mentally, although for the last couple of years she has had so much difficulty focusing that at times she doesn't seem like the same girl. She used to be fearless, and now she is extremely self-conscious in social situations. As a mother, I want the fatigue to go away. I want her to be alert and composed again. I know that being a teenager comes with its own challenges, but if there are any changes in diet or lifestyle or supplements that might help her to reach her potential and accomplish her goals in life, I would dearly love to know about it.
Hi! We're new to posting and to epilepsy.
- Thread starter SuJu72
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SuJu72
I think she has the best thing on her side to help her get on in life, you. If she has slowed down like you said you might want to think about changing medication, as for diet ans supplements there are threads here which could help you. Keep looking and good luck.
I think she has the best thing on her side to help her get on in life, you. If she has slowed down like you said you might want to think about changing medication, as for diet ans supplements there are threads here which could help you. Keep looking and good luck.
Hi SuJu, definitely consider looking into a possible change of meds, as Fedup suggests. My daughter is also 16 and began taking epilepsy medication (lamotrigine) in the summer and we haven't had much in the way of problems. She had a report card from school last week and appears to be on track to do very well in her exams again. For the most part, she seems as sharp as ever. My daughter is also going through teenage "challenges" and they are hard enough to deal with without your ability to cope being compromised. I know a change of meds can be problematic but it might be worth it.
Rosie has not tried altering her diet but from what I've read here (you should be able to search for posts as fedup also says) some people have some success with that. Obviously, she also needs to minimise stress as much as she can - maybe she could try some relaxation treatments? I hope you manage to get your daughter back to the way she was.
Rosie has not tried altering her diet but from what I've read here (you should be able to search for posts as fedup also says) some people have some success with that. Obviously, she also needs to minimise stress as much as she can - maybe she could try some relaxation treatments? I hope you manage to get your daughter back to the way she was.
chop456
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Hi SuJu and a warmest welcome to CWE. You have come to a great place of support! I am also the mother of a teen dx'd with epilepsy. What medication is your daughter taking? There seems to be quite a few meds out there. Paige's med (Lamictal XR) is also a mood stabilizer and I like to think that it does help somewhat with her anxiety/stress. I know staying physically active has been very important for Paige and it really seems to help with her stress.
Again, welcome to CWE!
Again, welcome to CWE!
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Hi SuJu, welcome to CWE!
I agree with folks who suggest that you and your daughter be persistent in finding a treatment that will help, with fewer side effects. If you haven't already, you might want to look into the Modified Atkins Diet. It can help reduce or control seizures, especially absences. More info here: http://www.atkinsforseizures.com/
Best,
Nakamova
I agree with folks who suggest that you and your daughter be persistent in finding a treatment that will help, with fewer side effects. If you haven't already, you might want to look into the Modified Atkins Diet. It can help reduce or control seizures, especially absences. More info here: http://www.atkinsforseizures.com/
Best,
Nakamova
Thank you
I wanted to thank everyone for responding. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to feel less alone out here! I will definitely search through some of the older threads for suggestions on diet-- what a great resource to be able to access. My daughter has been on Lamictal XR and Folic Acid for a while now, but it didn't control the small absence-type seizures, so the doctor recently added some Depakote and lowered the Lamictal because they are supposed to work antagonistically to make each other more effective. After having levels checked, we are further lowering the Lamictal since the levels were too high. Hopefully, this will help with some of the focus problems and energy levels. I'll keep you posted! Thanks again,
SuJu72 (P.S.: Great idea on exercise to lower stress levels. We'll work on that!)
I wanted to thank everyone for responding. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to feel less alone out here! I will definitely search through some of the older threads for suggestions on diet-- what a great resource to be able to access. My daughter has been on Lamictal XR and Folic Acid for a while now, but it didn't control the small absence-type seizures, so the doctor recently added some Depakote and lowered the Lamictal because they are supposed to work antagonistically to make each other more effective. After having levels checked, we are further lowering the Lamictal since the levels were too high. Hopefully, this will help with some of the focus problems and energy levels. I'll keep you posted! Thanks again,
SuJu72 (P.S.: Great idea on exercise to lower stress levels. We'll work on that!)
warm welcome to CWE SuJu72,
great link here on CWE below.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=alternative-treatments
here (yes on CWE) we 1st discovered neuro-therapy/bio feedback..My Son been in this therapy for 10 months now. Not a cure for E but real potential for brain training = healing.
My Son 27 has E, in our house – will ALWAYS be exploring/trying out safe alternatives
great link here on CWE below.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=alternative-treatments
here (yes on CWE) we 1st discovered neuro-therapy/bio feedback..My Son been in this therapy for 10 months now. Not a cure for E but real potential for brain training = healing.
My Son 27 has E, in our house – will ALWAYS be exploring/trying out safe alternatives
Hi jyearta,
No, I don't think my daughter's B-12 levels have been checked, but she is taking 2 mg of Folic Acid daily, which seems odd to me in the absence of other B vitamin supplements. I've always heard that they work better together, not in isolation. Has anyone else had negative experiences with Folic Acid? I would be very interested to know. (P.S: We recently added vitamin D3, since we heard that anticonvulsants can deplete this.
No, I don't think my daughter's B-12 levels have been checked, but she is taking 2 mg of Folic Acid daily, which seems odd to me in the absence of other B vitamin supplements. I've always heard that they work better together, not in isolation. Has anyone else had negative experiences with Folic Acid? I would be very interested to know. (P.S: We recently added vitamin D3, since we heard that anticonvulsants can deplete this.
MY B-12 was VERY low I was getting the shots, they didn't seem to help, my Dr. said I needed Folic acid for the B-12 to absorb correctly.
My B6,Vit. D, calcium, were all low.
I'm a lot older than your daughter, and been on meds. for over 41 years.
There are people on here where their Dr. checked the levels on all these from. the beginning. I think this should be done, my Neur. never did.
With the help of the information from forum, I requested the levels to be checked. I can not take over the counter Vit. I have my compounded.
My B6,Vit. D, calcium, were all low.
I'm a lot older than your daughter, and been on meds. for over 41 years.
There are people on here where their Dr. checked the levels on all these from. the beginning. I think this should be done, my Neur. never did.
With the help of the information from forum, I requested the levels to be checked. I can not take over the counter Vit. I have my compounded.
chop456
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Hi there! My daughter takes 250mg of Lamictal XR and folic acid daily. Each time we increased the level of lamictal she had some dizziness. Other than that and a bout with chin acne she is not having too many side effects. She does continue to have morning myoclonics - not everyday but enough to make me wonder.
From my own personal experience, I have found the medication/having epilepsy to cause depression and anxiety. The self awareness of maybe having a seizure when in public and the numbing feeling the meds can give you can be overwhelming at times. I have found Zoloft helps a lot in that regard.
My daughter is 5'9", and she seems to metabolize Lamictal pretty fast, so she was on 900mg a day, but since adding Depakote (morning and night), her Lamictal was cut back to 800 and now to 600mg. I'm wondering if "less is more"; if she's having myoclonics anyway (especially in the morning), maybe she could be on lower doses and at least minimize the effects of the meds? I needed antidepressant/anxiety meds as a teen, and I have suggested this to her doctor, but he seems to think it is "normal" teen angst. If she were a "normal" teen, she would not be seeing a neurologist. I know the idea of having a seizure in public really upsets her. Although it happened once before, it was in the presence of friends. We moved 6 months ago, and she doesn't have the same support network here. I think I need to revisit the antidepressant issue with her doctor. However, with a new doctor and a new medication, I am hesitant to rock the boat.
That makes sense but the wonderful thing about Zoloft is that there is very little side effects, if any. The only time I notice a change is if I'm not taking it. It's been a God send for me. It's opened up a lot of new worlds and makes me more comfortable in public situations. Just keep it in mind for future reference.
Thank you. I have actually used Zoloft in the past and I agree with you, although I did experience a side effect and switched to Celexa during that time. (There was a libido-diminishing effect of which my husband did not approve This wouldn't be a factor in my daughter's case.)
This wouldn't be a factor in my daughter's case.)