Anyone here with epilepsy caused by neurotransmitter deficiencies, which in turn are secondary to a metabolic and/or mitochondrial disorders? I posted this some time ago in The Nursery, as it is something that is usually first picked up in childhood, but no responses.
Neurotransmitter deficiencies
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I don't have any info for you on this, but I hope you get some. I'd be surprised if anyone with E had a doc dig deep enough to find out whether the seizures were caused by one of these issues.
All the docs I've seen were only interested in suppressing seizures with drugs. They didn't share my interest in solving the mystery as to why they occurred in the first place.
Your question reminds me of what I've been hearing more about the brain-gut connection and how neurotransmitter levels are often deficient due to nutrient absorbtion issues in the gut which they now are realizing can affect the brain.
I wish they would do more research on this subject, and I'll be curious to hear any responses you get. You may want to check with RobinN on this site, as she has done some personal research into brain-gut connections, some of which might be relevant to your questions about metabolism and also neurotransmitter creation.
All the docs I've seen were only interested in suppressing seizures with drugs. They didn't share my interest in solving the mystery as to why they occurred in the first place.
Your question reminds me of what I've been hearing more about the brain-gut connection and how neurotransmitter levels are often deficient due to nutrient absorbtion issues in the gut which they now are realizing can affect the brain.
I wish they would do more research on this subject, and I'll be curious to hear any responses you get. You may want to check with RobinN on this site, as she has done some personal research into brain-gut connections, some of which might be relevant to your questions about metabolism and also neurotransmitter creation.
Have you asked your doctor? They may know about this but they don't really have time to explain it? If not perhaps you could ask an epileptologist, if they don't know then perhaps a person with a phd/md or neuroscientist? Just a recommendation if you really want to know.
I already know the answer in my case; just curious if anyone here has this as a diagnosis.
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There was a post a while back on this subject and Nak had a good response:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f42/metabolic-disorder-nureoreceptors-15215/
You are so right about docs not digging deeper into the "why" mystery. So often if seizures are controlled by meds - or at least fairly well controlled - they figure done deal, end of story. I think in some cases, though, when there are other disorders/conditions present, esp. from birth, they may (hopefully) at least consider digging deeper. And in cases of refractory seizures for which there is no obvious (potential) reason for being refractory (head injury, stroke, etc.), I would really hope docs will consider looking at the rarer causes of seizures. And I'd be willing to bet that they find some of these rare causes aren't really so rare.