There is a new test you can get at a physchiatrist office. It’s like a DNA test, they swab your mouth and send it in. Back comes information that is very helpful along with medications that wont be helpful, and those that will. It can tell which medications would be more effective with your DNA. It’s amazing. It’s got our son off to a great start in college. He can only take one class per semester, but he’s moving forward and we’re thankful.

…I too have epilepsy and with that experience a bit of depression; Having epilepsy, seizures and the things associated with those have been a part of my life for some time…
The medicines I have been given seem to be my biggest difficulties, they have varied overtime and with that the side effects those individuals have…I had the “VNS” device for a little while but was not totally happy with its success as well.
I finished college and a wide range of misc things, am now in my 40’s, have remained active, have had some success with my seizures, seemed to have found the med I now take that has the littlest of side effects those Meds seem to be associated with; Your son… Hang in there! Eating heathy has had a very positive effect on me and with that staying active is a positive thing for me as well; Epilepsy can be a very difficult thing to be accustomed to but with that, sharing those difficulties with others seems to have a somewhat positive effect to that…Kevin

First of all, I would speak with his neurologist or Epileptologist about a
couple
of things. If he had an Electroencephliagram were there any irregularities
shown? If he had an MRI were irregularities shown? Did he have a CBC?
That could indicate discrepancies in his blood?

If or after those things are accomplished, “seek to recognize and remove
triggers (items that initiate seizures)–like noise, lights, depression,
anxiety,
fear of being different or of something not brought out.” Take them one at
a time to see if situations better.

Kay

You may check into a Pharmocogenics gene panel report through Mayo Clinic.
They test a persons genetic pathway to see if the medicine may not be right
or not helping for your son. Google Personalized MedicineMayo Clinic and
Pharmocogenics Mayo Clinic. May help pinpoint more effective med choices.
Also a cheek swab may tell how one metabolizes medicines. They have a great
video on the Personalized med page or Pgx testing. Hope this may help!

Maybe also check out gut health and mind connection…..if he has diarrhea
part of the case could be gut bad gut bacteria/candida….Just another
thought.

There is a great story …..Andrews Story…..google Pgx Testing Mayo
Clinic and they have a story of a young man who suffered and did the test
and it helped him.

I have all the above as far as medical issues and more. For me my seizures i was diagnosed that they where caused by my mental issues. Its my body shuting down when it cant take any more. I also have pbc but gratefuly very few people have that disease and mainly in women. I also have allergic asthma and my specialist said acid reflex makes asthma worse and he was right . Hope this helps

Hi @nessiewolfe. Welcome to Connect! We are so glad to have you join our community. Thanks for connecting with us and sharing your experiences!

Hi @blooms44. Welcome to Connect! I know you’ve been around for a little while, but i’m not sure you got a proper welcome, so I wanted to say we are happy to have you! Thanks for connecting and sharing your experiences.

Although I am not a doctor, but have had seizures 77+ years and studied the causes at Stanford’s Doctors Library when younger. I think a number of things are missing before you reach your conclusion on their cause. First, Epilepsy (or known as seizures today) came from the Greek word “Epilepsia” which mean’t “to seize on attack, as noted by Dr. William Lennox a neurologist in the early days of this condition.” What was pointed out was “that the electrical impulses of the brain (if they were increased or decreased beyond a control the brain was able to handle “would seize the area that was weak or not stable, until the body and brain reset itself after the seizure.

Research, understanding, experience and technology have pointed out reasons for causes of these things “referred to as Triggers.” In that a number of items can and do have the ability to be a Trigger, you should have a Neulogist or Epileptologist more familiar with the brain and its senses to help evaluate things. Next, should come a pretty much standard CBC, since blood componants with Oxygen, CO2 etc. can be triggers. Next an EEG or Electoencephliagram will measure electical components of the brain and sometimes be able to point out deficiencies. With a continuation of this problem an MRI can often show brain deficiencies, past TIA’s, and brain area’s affected.

Then the Neurologist or Epileptologist will often put you through a Neurological exam, having you walk, so as to watch your gait; stand feet together and close your eyes indicative to balance; put your arms out ant touch your nose with one hand and then the other, etc. Then a determination at the conclusion of all these things can often be conclusive and point out the most logical type of treatment for control and stability.

Kay

If you have anyone who might know of a connection between seizures and blood sugar, let me know

While checking our 42 yr old son’s seizure activity noted that the 2 bad ones where after he had pigged out at family meals.. the last 2 have been between 8-8:30 in the am, before he had anything to eat. There has to be a connection somewhere and I am always looking for clues…

he was out about 20 min – on the last seizure at 8:14 am and it was 8:36 when he awoke on the floor of the kitchen.
He was having 2 per month but now has the VNS which has helped a little – now he is going about 2 months between seizures and they seem to be milder. The VNS hurts sometimes and makes him cough, changes his voice level –
did you have yours removed?

Welcome to Connect, CarHowell.
I’m tagging @ketomom @clairesmom who have discussed diet and managing seizures, in particular the keto diet and a low glycemic index diet. They may be able to help answer your questions. @dawn_giacabazi might also have something to add.

Hello
To answer one of the question related to depression and anxiety, yes it unfortunately goes hand and hand with seizures. I have had epilepsy for 25 years now. It was a huge struggle for many years but thankfully a 10 day stay at Mayo Clinic Epilepsy Clinic they found the answers needed. Finding the right medication, taken at the right does, at the right time of the day is definitely the key to successful treatment. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/dxc-20117207

Pharmocogenetic testing is absolutely amazing at this. Here is a great link on how this testing works. http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/drug-gene-testing.asp

Hope this helps
Dawn

We were gone over the holidays, sorry for the delayed response: Yes and yes. There is a connection between seizures and blood sugar. Has your son been seen by an epileptologist since this happened?

I have Internal Bowel Syndrome, the IBS started in the past 10 years. I’m 51years old, I would appreciate any information you could give me on the keto diet and a low glycemic index diet, and any type of foods that could control the seizures.