Is primary generalized epilepsy for life on adult onset?

[notime]

Hi,

My doctor just notified me that he read the EEG and MRI, and the MRI was clean. He was saying that the EEG found I have primary generalized epilepsy... It would be adult onset.

I think that's what his nurse said, not sure if it is caused by partial seizures I will ask when I see the doctor again which is in a few weeks. He is keeping me on a generic version of keppra xr called levetracetam er 500mg.

Is this usually for life? I mean adult onset of generalized epilepsy? Will I have to take medicine for it the rest of my life instead of taking me off or what after being seizure free for 4 to 5 years if I am?

Thank you.

 

[Nakamova]

Is this usually for life? I mean adult onset of generalized epilepsy? Will I have to take medicine for it the rest of my life instead of taking me off or what after being seizure free for 4 to 5 years if I am?

No way to know for sure. Usually the docs will wait until you're seizure-free for at least 2 to 5 years on meds before offering the option of tapering off to see how you do.

I've tried twice to taper off meds, with no luck, so I have a feeling that I'm on meds for life. Though one of these days I'm going to try neurofeedback to see if I can train my brain to prevent seizures (rather than relying medication to suppress them).

 

[Cint]

I started having CP seizures when I was 22 years old and they slowly turned into generalized T/C seizures, too. That was 33 years ago and I am still taking meds to this day after trying numerous meds and having brain surgery and the VNS. So mine is refractory E and I will be on meds for the rest of my life, unless a miracle happens.