Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Night seizures waking my 13 year old

Mon, 11/18/2013 - 14:29
Good afternoon, Apologies in advance for the lengthy post. I really need help/suggestions/experiences from which to pull. I have a 13 year old who was diagnosed with Epilepsy (focal seizures) February 2013. Around November 2012 she started having weird sensations under her left shoulder blade and would lose sensation in her legs and have an episode where she rolled on the ground or shrugged her shoulder rapidly to make the sensation go away. I thought she was being her normal dramatic teenage self so I didn't think much of it until she told me why she was doing it. I took her to her pediatrician who happened to walk in while the episode was occurring. She was checked over and referred to a neuro. EEG showed frequent spikes middle right side. MRI showed no damage. She was started on Keppra at diagnosis. The Keppra has eliminated the day time episodes but not the night time episodes. As a result, Keppra has been increased to 1250mg twice per day. Neuro is considering adding Lamictal to the mediation regimen. I don't want to increase Keppra anymore since I don't see seizure abatement and just want to add the Lamictal so my daughter can get some relief and much needed sleep. The seizures don't last more than 20 seconds but they happen on average 3 times per night. I have brought her into my room so I can keep an eye on her because I don't want her to get hurt or kick out a wall or window when she rolls around on the floor. She had a grand mal September 2013 and another about 2 weeks ago. [Had to transport to ER in September because she was non-responsive to verbal cues and breathing was shallow (I didn't hear anything which I usually did with her typical seizures)]. In addition to the above, I can't tell if her moodiness is normal teenage moodiness since we just diagnosis at the age where the teenage "rebellion" starts or if it the medication. It is almost as if she purposes to do the opposite of what I tell her. She "forgets" to do chores even though I just told her; she won't for school the night before (i.e. lunch box prep, lay clothes out, pack gym uniform) where she had in the past; she's gotten mouthy. School is not a priority (she was a straight A student and doesn't seem to care now as long as she passes) and school projects get done at the last minute even though she has had weeks in advance to prepare for them (she gets stressed which we have learned is a trigger for her). Any help, suggestions, medication therapies you or your children have undergone would be most appreciated. Her neuro takes my input under consideration and lets me know the pros and cons (i.e. gluten and dairy free diet - neuro said no scientific data shows that GF & DF diets help but there is the ketogenic diet that has been successful. Neuro warned that the Ketogenic is difficult to follow and has drawbacks). (again apologies for long post, this is my first "venting" and "asking for help" post ever and I just want to help my daughter adjust and sleep)

Comments

Re: Night seizures waking my 13 year old

Submitted by mereloaded on Tue, 2013-11-19 - 13:10
fugazstereo@yahoo.com , email me! I totally get it and I understand, I can relate! I am more than happy to help :)

Re: Night seizures waking my 13 year old

Submitted by mumox on Thu, 2013-11-28 - 19:45
My daughter is also 13. She was diagnosed with frontal lobe nocturnal epilepsy about 5 years ago. Since then, she's been on many different medications, alone or in combination. In June this year, she was started on Keppra, which hasn't given her any relief from her seizures. She's also on Lamictal, Clobozam and Ritalin (for her ADD). Tomorrow she will begin yet another type of anti-seizure drug called Epival. The Keppra will be gradually phased out. Today she had a fMRI, following two SPECT exams and 3 nights of EEG monitoring at the hospital last week. We're both exhausted and I feel more alone than ever before. And frightened. I wish the neurologists could give us some answers! Thank you for any support and information you can give.

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.