Hi @jamessr and @kel1
I agree with you that epilepsy like other neurological diseases (i.e.such as Alzheimer's) has so many variables. I believe there is still much progress that needs to be done in the study of those neurological disorders by our conventional medicine.
It is sad to see that Medical Cannabis is still not much used to treat certain diseases. I believe it has to do with the pharma lobby, unfortunately. Though CBD has not controlled 100% my seizures, it has helped me to reduce them and I feel much better with this treatment rather than with AEDs. As I said, I prefer to have 2 seizures a month with the CBD, rather than no seizures at all, but to be unwell, sick and in bed like I was with Lamictal, Tegretol and Vimpat. In addition to CBD, I am on a gluten-free diet, which has clearly brought benefits in my seizure reduction. @jamessr has your son tried any kind of diet to see if this might be beneficial for him?
Laser ablation as well as conventional epilepsy surgery seem also scary to me, but unfortunately there is no other option for certain patients. Therefore, for those that can not control seizures with AEDs (like it is in my case), I would try any other alternatives such as diet, CBD, Chinese, Ayurveda and Integrative Medicines before going for surgery.
Best of luck to all of us!!!!
Kind regards,
Santosha