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Help: Minor Petite Mal : Risks of no medications
Wed, 03/29/2006 - 00:30Topic: Medication Issues
My 6 years old niece is diagnosed with petite mal [Absence Seizures]. Her seizures are 1/2 to 2 seconds long and about 10-15 a day [that we see]. It does not affect her school or her normal life. Side affects of medication does not seem to justify them.
Question1.What are the long term risks if we do not put her on medications, and wait to see her growing out of it? [Feel free to share your personal experiences; you are not responsible for the outcomes]
She has started Yoga, and a diet with fish and no animal protein.
Question2: Do you have any suggestion of any alternative to medications? Life style changes?
Comments
Re: Help: Minor Petite Mal : Risks of no medications
Submitted by angel_lts on Fri, 2006-03-31 - 13:30
I would not suggest to go without meds. It is possible during her puberty stage seizures COULD worsen or get better that is very questionable. Everytime the body changes so does your seizures.
You are starting out very well with the yoga, diet, fish.
Make sure she eats GOOD fats, like olive oil, coconut oil, omega and vitamins.
also check out my group for more alternative approaches.
Take care
lisa
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/
Re: Re: Help: Minor Petite Mal : Risks of no medications
Submitted by tpell on Tue, 2006-04-04 - 12:23
My daughter was diagnosed with Childhood Absence 5 months ago at age 8. She started having the seizures a few months before her diagnosis. She is currently taking 500 mg of Zarontin a day with some side effects like nausea, vomiting and stomach cramping. It has somewhat helped her seizures- about a 50% reduction.
We also thought about not medicating her due to the worry of chemical meds. Her pediatric neurologist convinced us that for safety reasons and quaility of life issues that we should give it a try.
We're still not convinced however that the decrease of seizures verses the stomach problems are better than more seizures a day with no chemicals or stomach issues.
I do worry however about the onset of puberty worsening the situation. I also know that it could be the end of the seizures due to hormonal changes.
Some things we've been doing besides the meds that have helped:
Keeping her hydrated with water. Starting the day with an 8 oz. cup and continuing with 8 ozs every two to three hours or so.
Suppliements: Vitamins B, Calcium/Mag. , and Omega 3.6.9 Junior by Nordic Naturals.
The water helped the most and trying to eat a well-balanced diet with good exercise has helped.
If anyone has suggestions on other natural solutions/dietary suggestions or how to cope with the side effects of Zarontin we'd also love any feed back. Thank you!
Medication Issues
Submitted by JodyM on Wed, 2007-12-26 - 14:23
My 7 year old daughter has been without meds since being diagnosed 2 years ago. Same scenario as your neice. She is growing, social, learning, active, athletic and happy. Nothing has gotten worse or changed. I had seen a couple nuerologists at the beginning. They only know how to medicate, nothing else. We are weighing the risk/benefit , and the risks way outweigh any benefit. Meds are only a band-aid not a cure. We have chosen the path of healthy lifestyle, adequate sleep and no medication. We will re-evaluate if anything changes for the worse and starts to interfere more with life and social activities. Every case is different and every child is different, your family should do what feels right for her. The brain is a mystery and children are still evolving and growing every day. Most doctors will tell you to medicate and there is conflict among them as to whether not medicating is harmful or not, there is no definitive answer.