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Hello, I am the mom of a 5 year old with partial onset seizures. He was diagnosed a little over a year ago. We have been seizure free for the last 6 months and then last night out of the blue he has one. No triggers that I can think, but now it's time to consider adding another med to his regimen. We've already seen keppra but it kept him very lethargic and then there were some aggression issues. His doctor has given us a few options of what to try next. I'm wanting to know if anyone has had any experience with Briviact. Supposedly it's similar to keppra. But I really want to know about side effects and preferrably with young children. If anyone has time, could you please share your experience with this drug with me. Thanks!

Comments

I tried Briviact a couple

Submitted by birdman on Wed, 2019-10-23 - 20:28

I tried Briviact a couple years ago. Previous to it I tried 15 other anti seizure drugs and didn't get control and or had too much side effect problems. So I don't think you can consider my success rate too strongly. The most disturbing problem I had with Briviact was constipation. I had to take stool softener every day. I think it also made me a little more anxious. But remember every patient is different.Mike

Hi mom40,Thank you for

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2019-10-24 - 08:53

Hi mom40,Thank you for posting, we understand this must have been very scary and frustrating for you all to experience. As Michael mentioned in his comment, treatment varies for each individual. It’s important that you all continue to follow-up with your son’s healthcare team and to determine what individual treatment plan is best for him and any if he experiences changes in seizure types, frequency, moods, behaviors, sides effects & symptoms. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome. To learn more about Briviact., seizure medications and potential side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/5/community-corner-new-fda-approval-briviact-use-young-childrenYou all may want to consider keeping a diary, or a journal. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for tracking his seizures, setting reminders, recording his medical history, managing medications, side effects, moods, behaviors & triggers, which can be shared with his healthcare team. Create a seizure response or action plan: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms which is a helpful toolfor those around your son to understand what to do if he has a seizure. It is common for those who are in caretaker role to feel overwhelmed. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and it’s just as important that you’re taking care of yourself as well. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdfIt can be helpful to connect with other parents who care for those with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by visiting: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents Additionally, you may contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi mom40,Thank you for posting, we understand this must have been very scary and frustrating for you all to experience. As Michael mentioned in his comment, treatment varies for each individual. It’s important that you all continue to follow-up with your son’s healthcare team and to determine what individual treatment plan is best for him and any if he experiences changes in seizure types, frequency, moods, behaviors, sides effects & symptoms. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome. To learn more about Briviact., seizure medications and potential side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/5/community-corner-new-fda-approval-briviact-use-young-childrenYou all may want to consider keeping a diary, or a journal. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for tracking his seizures, setting reminders, recording his medical history, managing medications, side effects, moods, behaviors & triggers, which can be shared with his healthcare team. Create a seizure response or action plan: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms which is a helpful toolfor those around your son to understand what to do if he has a seizure. It is common for those who are in caretaker role to feel overwhelmed. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and it’s just as important that you’re taking care of yourself as well.  https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdfIt can be helpful to connect with other parents who care for those with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by visiting:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents  Additionally, you may contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline  

Hi mom40,Thank you for posting, we understand this must have been very scary and frustrating for you all to experience. As Michael mentioned in his comment, treatment varies for each individual. It’s important that you all continue to follow-up with your son’s healthcare team and to determine what individual treatment plan is best for him and any if he experiences changes in seizure types, frequency, moods, behaviors, sides effects & symptoms. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome. To learn more about Briviact., seizure medications and potential side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/5/community-corner-new-fda-approval-briviact-use-young-childrenYou all may want to consider keeping a diary, or a journal. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for tracking his seizures, setting reminders, recording his medical history, managing medications, side effects, moods, behaviors & triggers, which can be shared with his healthcare team. Create a seizure response or action plan: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms which is a helpful toolfor those around your son to understand what to do if he has a seizure. It is common for those who are in caretaker role to feel overwhelmed. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and it’s just as important that you’re taking care of yourself as well. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdfIt can be helpful to connect with other parents who care for those with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find & give support to each other, by visiting: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents Additionally, you may contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 contactus@efa.org, where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helpline