#MayoClinicNeuroChat about Epilepsy

Wed, Nov 29, 2017
2:30pm to 3:00pm CT

Description

Learn about epilepsy from Dr. William Tatum, a neurologist specializing in epilepsy at our campus in Jacksonville, Florida.

Learn more about:

  • Causes
  • Types of epilepsy
  • Medication

Location

Online

@shalpin41 @cigo @epilepsypatientadvocate @fay6 @lorispellman @lucyd719 - great questions for today's Q&A session. I also invite you to:
1. +Follow the Epilepsy group
2. Introduce yourself to the group in this discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-epilepsy-introduce-yourself-meet-others/

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My now 7 years old son had meningitis when he was 6 weeks old. He had couple of seizures when he was in hospital. He was fine until 5 years. Then seizure came back. Since then he is in Keppra. Even though we are increasing Keppra dose with his age and weight, still he is having 3 to 4 short seizures each day. Now I'm at a point to see another doctor for second opinion. Can you suggest me what can I do next?

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@lucyd719

My 7 year old daughter was just diagnosed with epilepsy 2 months ago. She has had 3 grand mal seizures and many absence seizures for unknown period of time (looking back probably years). Heathy, normal pregnancy and childhood up until now. No major illness, has had all vaccines. She’s a sweet girl normally, intelligent, athletic. MRI “normal”. At first she was started on keppra (after second seizure, before EEG), cross tapered on depakote when realized it was absence by EEG. Had 3rd grand mal seizure a few days after taper off keppra. Depakote level in the 60’s at 125 BID so was increased. Now on 125 mg in am and 250 at night. She’s ravenous, irritable and physically combative. She’s 46 pounds (very petite) but has gained 5 pounds already. Is there a better Med than depakote? I know she needs to increase the depakote (I’m pretty sure she had a grand mal seizure in her sleep 2 nights ago, she’s still having absence seizures daily and Iher repeat level was 67) but her behavior is just getting worse and she’s gaining weight. Is there any better alternative????

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Hi Lucy! You are not alone! There's another mother in this discussion who is also looking for answers. I'll summarize your question and ask Dr. Tatum during the Q&A. I also wanted to share these other videos with you:
• #AsktheMayoMom about Pediatric Epilepsy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/askthemayomom-about-pediatric-epilepsy/
• #AsktheMayoMom about Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/askthemayomom-about-pediatric-epilepsy-surgery/
• Webinar: Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment Options: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/pediatric-epilepsy-treatment-options/

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@fay6

My 6 year old brother has been suffering from epillepsy since he was 9 months old.He has been on several medications including keppra,sodium vibrate,phenobabiton,clonazabam etc but the drugs could not suppress his seizures. He would have more than 10 seizures a day. Now he is on clobazam and lamotrigine, but the seizures have not stopped.Is there a better alternative??

Jump to this post

Hey Fay, and welcome to Connect! I'll summarize your question and ask Dr. Tatum during the Q&A. I also wanted to share these other videos with you:
• #AsktheMayoMom about Pediatric Epilepsy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/askthemayomom-about-pediatric-epilepsy/
• #AsktheMayoMom about Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/askthemayomom-about-pediatric-epilepsy-surgery/
• Webinar: Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment Options: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/pediatric-epilepsy-treatment-options/

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@irinh_2000

My now 7 years old son had meningitis when he was 6 weeks old. He had couple of seizures when he was in hospital. He was fine until 5 years. Then seizure came back. Since then he is in Keppra. Even though we are increasing Keppra dose with his age and weight, still he is having 3 to 4 short seizures each day. Now I'm at a point to see another doctor for second opinion. Can you suggest me what can I do next?

Jump to this post

Hi irinh, and welcome to Connect! You are not alone! There's another mother in this discussion who is also looking for answers. I'll summarize your question and ask Dr. Tatum during the Q&A. I also wanted to share these other videos with you:
• #AsktheMayoMom about Pediatric Epilepsy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/askthemayomom-about-pediatric-epilepsy/
• #AsktheMayoMom about Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/askthemayomom-about-pediatric-epilepsy-surgery/
• Webinar: Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment Options: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/pediatric-epilepsy-treatment-options/

REPLY

After suffering from seizures for over 10 years, and being transferred from doctor to doctor. When I met Dr. Tatum he immediately diagnosed the problem and found I was an excellent candidate for brain surgery. That was in 1997, I was debilitated from having approximately 100 seizures a day to having none now. I can drive and I own my own business because of Dr. Tatum. Thank you sir! Melissa Dickinson

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are there natural supplements or vitamins you can take to control you seizures

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Hi Dr. Tatum, My son had his first seizure when he was 25 and then had another one when he was 30. No meds in between. Doctor saying he has epilepsy now even though imaging has returned no evidence of epileptic activity. What would you say about this and what options are available for treatment? Thanks.

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Right now I take lamotrogine and seizures are fairly well controlled with the medication. I am trying to switch all my meds to natural and I've found a product called EPI-STILL. Would you recommend switching.

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What would you recommend for people who get seizures as a result of lupus? Thanks.

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