Juvenile epilepsy

We upped his med, I believe he didn’t have enough in him to make it to the night time med dose. He had a seizure at 845 and next dose wasn’t until 10. Hopefully med increase will help. 🤞

@terin82
All these suggestions may be long shots but they may be helpful.
Taking extended release, formulations of medication may be beneficial.
My seizures were uncontrolled until I started taking extended-release medication's.
My last Neurologist didn't believe in giving immediate release seizure medications to patients.
Whenever getting medication refilled if genetics are being used it is best to use the same manufacturer with every refill.
Take care,
Jake

Hi @terin82
I also started having seizures around the same age due to hormonal changes. I remember how distressed my mother became watching me have focal seizures (auras and some absences later), especially when she struggled to get proper care from the many doctors we consulted. This situation was certainly not easy for my mother to deal with, so I understand well how you feel.
Does he have tonic-clonic seizures immediately, or do those episodes start with some absence that evolves into a tonic-clonic seizure? What kind of tests has he already had, and what type of specialist is currently treating your son's epilepsy?
Please remember to take care of yourself too!
Chris

@terin82
Would you mind sharing the previous and current dose?
Jake

. Now he takes 1.5 pills; 1125mg am and pm, it was one 750 mg am and pm of keppra

Thank you for this! I was meant to see this comment today!

My 13-year-old had his first seizure 8/4 and a second 1 week later. We started on Keppra, then moved to ER Depakote. I am not doing well. I don't want to let him out of my site. Poor kid just wants his freedom back.

I know the feeling, anytime there is a noise anywhere in the house or a phone call when my daughter isn't home my heart races. It's not easy!

He is tired of me asking if he is ok 🙂

@natb23
I'm sorry to hear about your son's seizure disorder. The journey to achieving seizure freedom can be long and challenging for some, while others may never find it. I hope your son's doctors can find the right medication or combination of drugs to manage his seizures, or that they may resolve on their own.
I was around your son's age when I developed epilepsy in the late 1960s. Over the past 60 years, I've experienced more than 13,000 seizures, primarily Tonic-Clonic seizures, as well as absence seizures and both focal aware and focal impaired seizures. At times, I've been put into extended induced comas due to status epilepticus.
There are common-sense restrictions that you might be aware of, which may or may not apply to your son's situation. If you're experiencing stress or difficulties coping with your son's epilepsy, it's essential to manage any stress or anxiety, as your emotions can directly affect your son's development.
Encourage your son to live as fully and independently as possible. While safety is important, it shouldn't prevent him from engaging in normal activities. Being excessively protective can negatively impact a child's self-esteem, social development, and overall quality of life. By promoting independence and encouraging typical activities, while also establishing a seizure safety plan with family and friends, children with epilepsy can acquire essential life skills and lead fulfilling lives.
There was a study done at Stanford University that showed some patients have seizures when taking drugs from different manufacturers so the study recommends getting the same manufacturer with each refill. they also recommend if you're on a brand-name drug don't switch to a generic and vice versa. Why seizure stopped after 45 years when a new Neurologist had to change my medication because my previous one became unstable. He put me on an extended-release version of Carbatrol. In fact, my last Neurologist refused to give generic seizure medication's to patients unless there was no way around it. He strongly believed that seizure patients shouldn't take immediate-release medications if possible.
What type of seizures is your son having, generalized or focal?
Do you know his diagnosis?
Take care,
Jake

@natb23
Has your son had any more seizures?
Jake