Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group
Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. It is commonly controlled with medication, although surgical methods are used as well. Seizures (or convulsions) are temporary abnormal electrophysiologic phenomena of the brain, resulting in abnormal synchronization of electrical neuronal...
Hi, I'm new here. I just got diagnosed with epilepsy. I'm on depakote, a low dose. I just started it last night. This runs in my family, so I wasn't shocked when they told me, but I don't know much about this. All we know is that I haven't had actual full blown seizures. I had LOTS of headaches and head pressure, now I know why. She said I'm having them throughout my brain and not in one specific area. I also have IBS-D and Hashimotos. I have been trying to find info on a link between IBS-D and epilepsy, does anyone have any info or advise on that? I'm hoping this anti seizure med will cure my IBS, I'm not holding my breathe, but I am trying to have hope here. Also, does anyone have any info about this drug? So far I'm doing ok on it, but I've read about the side effects and long term use, and quite frankly it all scares me. I have three great kids and would like to try for another this coming January, but not sure if that is even wise, I know I would have to go off all my meds so it doesn't effect the baby. But is this a possibility? Would it make the seizures worse? I am going to be asking my doctor these questions the next time I go in. I just wanted some input on how to hadle all of this. I just feel overwhelmed. Also, what's the recommendations on diet and vitamins. I'm already on 50,000 units twice a week of vitamin D, and I take a high potency and dose of vitamin B complex. Is there anything else I should be taking? I do randomly take fish oil, but if needed I can be more consistant with it. I'm just scared I'll start having seizures all the time and I can't have this effecting my life. Any comments would be great. Oh and also, could this cause anything else down the line like ALS or tumors?
Check out the link from webmd--
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/vagus-nerve-stimulation-vns
I personally hate the term IBS whether its D or C it's a catch all term dr's use to medicate you to get you to go away so they don't have to look deeper into the cause. In your case you may an over active intestinal tract due to the epilepsy effecting the vegus nerve. Me on the other hand found out through many tests that I have a very slow and sluggish system because my nervous system is not working correctly with my organs. So my bladder is on both ends of the spectrum--It doesn't fill up enough and it doesnt empty all the way--therefore I am constantly going to the bathroom. My rectum does not work correctly either due to poor nerve stimulation therefore causing chronic constipation. No matter what I take to try to help go--I just can't. You should have a study done on your gastro system to see if you empty too fast--they can do that by giving you a sitz mark test--where you swallow these capsules that have radioactive markers in them and they do exrays to see where the markers are--this way they can judge how fast or how slow your system empties.
I hope this helps you
Can I ask what your dr called what was happening to your brain all that time with no physical signs of seizures? That sounds like what my son is going through now and we are waiting to get him into a neurologist.
My neuro didn't say anything about what my brain was doing all this time. This diagnosis caught me and my husband off gaurd because it was never tested and I never had a full blown one. It's just been years of my stomach issues getting worse, then I would have vision black outs every once in a while, but they just told me to drink more water. Then two years ago the headaches started and the head pressure kept gettting worse. We thought there was something wrong with my heart because I had poor circulation and I can't exercise, I almost pass out everytime I try. But I finally found a pcp that would listen to me and he suggested seeing a neuro. Then the neuro is the one that ordered the EEG and they found it. All She told me was the seizures were throughout my brain and mis firing and over active. She didn't say anything else. I asked her if this is what's causeing my stomach issues and head pressure and she said possibly. That's all she said. Then she said that we will take treatment slow, because I react to all meds on the planet (I swear, it's a nightmare). So far I've done ok on this one. I just need to make sure I take a probiotic and eat something with it. I get naucious, but I do ok. I'm supposed to up it in a week to two times a day, I'm nervous for that because it does make me groggy.
As far as the children go, I do want another one. I do agree I don't know much about this desease, but in my view, I haven't noticed any huge difference in my life, my great grandmother had it and has had kids, and was fine. I'm not wishing anything on my kids or me, I just know that life happens, every trial in life is there for a reason. There's a chance my kids won't get any of this. So far they don't have my IBS or thyroid issues, they are completely healthy. One of my sons does have inherited ADHD and developmental delays from my husbands side, but we didn't know anything about that being in the family until after he was born and progressed.
I just don't know alot about this and need info and advise. This hasn't effected my life majorly yet and I really don't want it to, but I have noticed that it has been progressing, so if anyone has advice I would greatly appreciate it. I'm on unfamilar ground and it makes me nervous.
Jason