Neuro assumes I have epilepsy need info

[notime]

Hello,

I have finally seen a neurologist, and he assumes I have complex partial seizures. He took a history and didn't do any blood work, EEG or MRI, and started to prescribe Keppra (xr something) without me doing a MRI or EEG first. I think my general physician sent a copy of my medical records there, I think he read them but I never have been tested for epilepsy.


Is this something normal for a neurologist to do? To prescribe medication without doing tests like EEGS or MRIS first? I am sorry, I didn't have enough time to ask my neurologist this. My father kept interrupting and arguing about the cost so I didn't ask him many questions. He did setup an appointment for an MRI and EEG next week, but wanted me to get started on it keppra asap.


Also if I do have complex partial seizures I have a few questions:

I read that the first medication usually works with a percent chance of like 50 to 60% and the second would be 20% success rate. Does this apply to this form of seizures and easy treatable? If it is mild that happens every few months?

I live in Arkansas so there isn't any public transportation that I am aware of like cheap buses and I cannot afford taxis. The law says if I am a year free without seizures, with this form of epilepsy can I get my driver license if I remain free for a year?

Also with these complex partial seizures do you fall to the ground hard? That's what happens to me a lot of times then I get up walking around confused for a bit.

One last question I heard that if you are seizure free after two years or perhaps more do they take you off with these sort of seizures?


I am sorry for all the questions, I am just scared and don't want to live like this for the rest of my life. I want to know much as possible about it.

Thank you.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi notime,

No need to apologize for asking questions! Epilepsy is not very straightforward and it can be tough to figure out what's going on. The more information you have the better.

While many neurologists schedule an EEG to help confirm an epilepsy diagnosis, it's not absolutely necessary to do so, particularly if your symptoms are very clear cut. But if you aren't confident in the doctor's diagnosis you should ask him for more information about why he feels confident that you have epilepsy. And if you are uncomfortable about starting medication before any additional tests have been done, you should let the him know. He can't force you take medication. You can certainly wait to make a decision about medication until after the EEG/MRI test results are available.

I read that the first medication usually works with a percent chance of like 50 to 60% and the second would be 20% success rate. Does this apply to this form of seizures and easy treatable? If it is mild that happens every few months?

There's no point in worrying about the statistics. The study that produced those particular numbers was based on a relatively small sample (1100 patients). Even if those numbers could be applied to the larger general population of people with epilepsy, it still wouldn't predict what will happen in your particular case. Epilepsy is a diagnosis that covers of 40 different varieties with many different outcomes and treatment paths. In addition, individual responses to treatment are all over the map, and can depend on all sorts of factors -- age of seizure onset, age of diagnosis, primary or secondary causes, general health and genetics, etc... As a very general rule, if your seizures respond to the very first anti-seizure medication you try, that's a good sign. But if the first medication doesn't work, that doesn't automatically mean that something else won't do the trick.

The law says if I am a year free without seizures, with this form of epilepsy can I get my driver license if I remain free for a year?

It doesn't matter which form of epilepsy you have -- as long as you aren't having ANY seizures for the legally-specified length of time in your state, then you may apply for a driver's license (or resume driving if you already have one).

Also with these complex partial seizures do you fall to the ground hard? That's what happens to me a lot of times then I get up walking around confused for a bit.

Yes, it's called an atonic seizure or "drop attack". Complex seizures can take different forms. Sometimes it's as if you are sleepwalking -- you may be conscious but not fully aware of what you're doing or saying.

if you are seizure free after two years or perhaps more do they take you off with these sort of seizures?

Yes, after a minimum two years being seizure-free on medication, the neurologist may suggest the option of tapering off the medication to see how you do.

 

[notime]

Okay.. Thanks for your answer Nakamova.

Just one more, a friend of mine well a nurse said that Keppra VR the one which the doctor prescribed made a lot of people zone out... Is this true? I know she doesn't have a M.D she is just speaking from experience.

I just want to be on the safe side.

 

[Nakamova]

Some people hate Keppra, it makes them cranky and moody, or it messes with their sleep or it makes them zone out. For others, Keppra's an absolute lifesaver, it controls their seizures with no side effects. You could say the same thing about any of the epilepsy meds. I hope Keppra helps control your seizures and you aren't bothered by any side effects. If it does bother you though, let the neurologist know. There are other meds to try, and it can be worth going through a bit of trial-and error to find the one that works best. Keep us posted!