please.

Robin, or Viola - Female

age- 32

how long have u had seizures- almost a year

medicene?- depakote 4times a day

children with epilepsy? no

are u happy with your doctor treating you with this? no

work? no

Hello....

My name is Amy (as you can tell from my screen name), I have complex partial seizures, have had them on and off since I was 15 (I am 32 now), and they have gotten worse over the past year.

I am taking Lamictal (my wonder drug), and NO, I am NOT happy with my current doctor, am changing to a epileptologist in December...yeah!

What a great idea Robin http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hugs,
Amy

Hi everyone,

Name is Lisa.

I don't have E the kids do.

Jenny, 14 - Complex partials, absents - only one that's generalized, she had Todd's Paralysis in her right hand for nearly an hour following, she also has auras (simple partials). She is taking 200 mg Tegratol twice daily. She is also taking 54 mg Concerta daily for ADD. Diagnosed Sept 03.

Jake, 22 mths - Complex partials with secondary generalization Grand mals, absents, auras (simple partials). He is currently taking 12 mg Trileptol and 85 mg of Lamictal daily. He is on the waiting list for the Ketoganic Diet (March 04). He also received PT, OT and ST twice a week for developemental delays. Diagnosed Oct 02

We like both the neuros we have delt with and felt they both received top notch care.

Hope I covered all the questions.

Love and light

Lisa and kids

Hi all my name is Jennifer. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

My son gage was just diagnosed as having seizure activity and his Dr. put him on ethosuxamide(zarotin).
he is 4 1/2 and will be 5 in February. i just found out about his condition on the 24th of this month, so i dont have much to tell becuase i dont really know anythign yet.

i was on the internet looking for info on the meds they gave him and found out it was for petit mal epilepsy. thats how i found this message board. i will definatly be keeping it updated as i find out anything. this is a great place to chat. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bouncing.gif
jen

Ashnan (actually Lisa, but we have a million of those on this board http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif ) - Female

age- 32

how long have u had seizures- all my life, but getting worse over the last 6 years and really bad over the last one year.

medicene?- Keppra just starting it. (Been on Tegratol, Topamax and Zonegran - HATED TOPAMAX)

children with epilepsy? no

are u happy with your doctor treating you with this? We'll wait and see

work? Yes, in a very stressful job and environment and it's not helping me any!

Angi - Female
age- 33 will be 34 nov 14
how long have u had seizures- 9 months due to head injury
medicene?- 2000 mg keppra, 150mg zoloft, 1mg xanax as needed
children with epilepsy? no
are u happy with your doctor treating you with this? for the most part yes
work? at home with 4 small kids ages 2,3,6,7

name- Jessie

age-22

how long have you had epilepsy- since i was 15

meds- not currently taking any but i have been on carbamazapine,depakote,dylantin,trilepto l,keppra,zonegran,gabitral,neurontin,top amax,mysoline,and diamox


children with E-no

are you happy with the dr treating you- somedays

do you work- depends on who you ask i am a stay at home mother of 3 so im a dr a teacher a cook a maid lol i think you guys get the hint http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
mother of 3
ages 4,3,and 1
my pride and joy

diagnosed with epilepsy jan. of 97

live life to its fullest you never know when it may be to late to do all the things you would have done tomorrow

-Mandi, 20, Florida
-Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy since I was 15
-Carbatrol 200mg x 2 a day
-Full time college student

Hi....Great subject!

Kathy

49 years old

I began having seizures two years ago.

I take Carbatrol and Lamictal (my wonder drug too!!)

None of my three sons has epilepsy.

I LOVE my new Doctor....a seizure specialist.

I do not work outside of my home.

Kathy

Jamie-male
age: 30, will be 31 Thursday.

Have had seizures since I was 18.

Dilantin 400mg one day, 300 mg the next, Effexor XR 75mg one a day, Clondine Tab .1mg twice a day for blood pressure, and recently started Toprol-XL 50mg once a day.

Very happy with my doctor.

work-yes, and it can be stressful and sometime causes my seizures

Have not had a grand mal seizure in about 5 years, but recently have been havng peti mal seizures.

children with "E"-no

Cris
age 38
I'm the mom of four children ages 3-12. My 7yr old son diagnosed with complex partial seizures at the age of 4, although we think he was having them much sooner than that.

Meds-He has been on Tegretol, Topomax, Dilantin,(allergic to them) and currently Depakote.

Happy with our current neurologist-Not really. We sought a second opinion, that neurologist disagreed with our current neurologist. I'm not surprized.

Children with epilepsy? He is only seven so obviously not yet. However, I have a cousin (my mother's sister's daughter) who had one seizure as an infant, not fever related, then began having seizures (gran mals and complex partials) in her late twenties. No other known family history.

[This message has been edited by gavman (edited 10-29-2003).]

Daniela - Female

Age - 28

How long have you had seizures - started at 14 years of age

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Medicine - Depakote (1000 mg/day)

Children with epilepsy - no children yet http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Are you happy with current doc - so-so

Work - yes, and in a pretty stressful env't

Great Thread!!!!

Jolene - Female, I'm 26. Started having seizures (grand mals only) 4 years ago. 3 weeks after having my daughter.

I'm taking Lamictal 200mg 2x's a day and Keppra 1500mg 2x's a day Its been the BEST!!!! ( I was on Depakote and topamax before ..... i won't even go there! )

I have been seizure free for 1 year and 3 days (hmmm.... i don't count the days at all hehehe)

My children do not have epilepsy.

I am extremly happy with my doctor he's an epilpetoligst (can't spell it) but he's been great!

I do not work but am in school .... hopefully one day when i grow up i will get to add O.D. to my name....



------------------
What I am doing today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

Jaclyn, age 36
Have had seizures since age 4 but was only diagnosed 6 months ago. I also have wicked migraines.
I have tried Lamcital but got the rash
Topomax but couldn't tolerate it
Next I try Depakote
I have a new doctor which I like very much
I have a 9 year old daughter who has suffered from migraines since she was 4 and is being evaluated for absence seizures.
No one else in my family has epilepsy.
I do work outside the home, however I am currently on 4 weeks medical leave while I adjust to my meds. (My job is high risk for physical injury on a good day!)
And I am very grateful for the support and information I have found on this message board. I have been blessed! Thank you all!

Lisa - I'm 30 and I started having Grandmals alittle over two years ago.

I take Topamax 50mg a day (which in December I'm 100% sure will be uped)

I have two children (Danielle 6 & Dylan almost 5) neither have E

Am very happy with my Doctor. Took me a year and a half to find him.

I am a stay at home mom/wife!!

[This message has been edited by Lisa T (edited 10-29-2003).]

Hi my name is Lori
I am a 25 year old female
How long have you had seizures? - started at 12 months and had them ever since.I have tonic-clonic, simple and complex partials, temporal lobe and photsensitive epilepsy.

Medicine - been on Dilantin, Zorontin
currently on 1500 Epilem and 250 Lamictal

Children with epilepsy - no children at all

Are you happy with current doc - yes

Are you happy with work - yes, they have been brilliant!! I am so lucky to have a great employer!!!

Good Idea!

Lynn-Female Age 38

My son Kyle, 16 yrs old, is in the process of being firmly diagnosed with seizures. Has been having symptoms, extreme dejavu episodes, staring, headaches, some confusion, since July.

He has been taking 1250 mg of Depakote has helped a lot.

His neuro. is great; this weekend he will be wearing a 48 hr. "at home" eeg monitor. Hopefully they will find something. He has been weaned down to 250 mg. of Depakote for this test.

Name - Terri

15 yr old daughter, Megan, diagnosed with juvenile myclonic epilepsy in July 2001 after having 2 grand mal seizures. Had been having myclonic jerks in her arms for almost a year prior.

Meds - Currently switching from Depakote to Keppra due to stomach problems, was taking 1250 mg/day depakote, now taking 1000 mg/day keppra and 750 mg/day depakote (reducing to 500 next friday)

I have 2 other children, neither have any medical problems.

Happy with dr - sometimes, is epileptologist but lacking a bit on bedside manners.

I am stay home mom, have home-based candle business. Megan is a freshman in high school, involved in soccer, band, choir, bowling.

Love this site, helps to show Meg that she is not only one dealing with E.

Name: Kaitie

Age: 21 Years Old

Diagnosed: Two Phases! Phase One when I was eight with Grand Mals, outgrew those (supposedly) then Phase Two: they came back when I was fifteen as the more subtle but equally as frustrating Complex partial and Absence Seizures. (No official Diagnosis until I was 20)

Taking: Topomax (EVIL EVIL EVIL) 200mg a day, and Lamictal (Ooh La la) 200mg a day. (STILL having seizures auras! - grrrrr)

Lifestyle: Crazy - adventurous, nothing will keep me down....unless it's the slopes which I'm flying down on my snowboard.

Kids with E? No way jose! No Kids till I marry my Wonderful Boyfriend - and I pray that they never have to go through this.

School and work? Both - Full time Architecture and Engineering Student, and I work part time too! (I gotta pay for the luxeries in life! Like my new car!)

Happy with My Neurologist? You bet - My last one? NO WAY!

Wow - this is long!

Whats important to say though guys - is that though I'm a little worn out from Meds, and a little frustrated sometimes because I worry about going 'out' in front of my boyfriends parents - or that I was super upset about blacking out at work the other day....

I live a FULL LIFE! And I'm lovin' every minute of it. Yay 21!

Love Kaitie!

Hi! I'm Katie.

I'm 29.

I've had seizures since I was 21 but they were only diagnosed about 3 or 4 years ago. They're complex partial in the temporal lobe and I never had a clue as to how to describe them to a doc. ...so I didn't for a long time, until I figured out on my own what they were.

I've tried carbatrol, trileptal, and now I'm on lamictal--yup! a wonder drug!

No kids yet.

I'm finishing up my PhD and that entails working in a research lab all day to do my experiments, and also writing my thesis--the memory and concentration deficits make that a bit tougher than it would be, but other than that i have no problems working--my seizures are under control.

My doc is ok--i'm pretty neutral on the subject.

It's nice to hear about all of you! :wave:

Bob, male

44 years old

Started having partial complex seizures nine years ago, but only on vacations in Hawaii. In early 2003 started having them at my home in California, leading three months later to a grand mal seizure.

After grand mal seizure, was put on Trileptal, twice a day. After tough first three weeks, only real side effect was trouble sleeping. But as dosage increased, partial seizures increased. Switched to new doctor who just today started me on depakote, once a day.

Have no children, but on my mother's side my grandmother had a brother with epilepsy and my dad gets migraines.

Very happy (so far) with new doctor; not especially happy with original doctor.

Occupation: engineer

Howdy!

I'm Dave

Age - 50

I was diagnosed when I was 13 but I've had epilepsy a lot longer than that.

Simple partials & Complex partials

Have the VNS implant. I was a candidate for epilepsy surgery when it was discovered that I have triggers and foci in both the right and left temporal lobe due to secondary epileptogenesis.

IMO: secondary epileptogenesis is a sure indicator of superior intelligence :D

Hi, My name is Catherine

Age:20

Diagnosed December of 2002

Meds: 3000 mg Keppra and 500 mg Depakote ER -- have been on Lamictal (allergy) and Zonegran (couldn't stay awake)

Couldn't be happier with my epileptologist

Work: Full time college student majoring in molecular genetics

"Art" is my main interest, not my name.

I'm a 54-year-old female, with a background in modelling and television commercials.

Diagnosed 4 months ago when I went to see why I was having episodes of dizziness. MRI normal, 2 EEG's abnormal.

Dilantin, 300mg daily

Very unhappy with neurologist. The bowtie should have given me a clue.

Work - project management with a medical software company.

Hi,

My name is Cynthia, I have been having seizures for over 15 years and am 38. Right now I am taking 500mg of lamictal and 1800 mg of trileptal daily. I had a VNS implanted about seven months ago. The seizures aren't as under control as they were a few months ago. I have a few in a week.

[QUOTE=KatieO]Hi! I'm Katie.

I'm 29.

I've had seizures since I was 21 but they were only diagnosed about 3 or 4 years ago. They're complex partial in the temporal lobe and I never had a clue as to how to describe them to a doc. ...so I didn't for a long time, until I figured out on my own what they were.

I've tried carbatrol, trileptal, and now I'm on lamictal--yup! a wonder drug!

No kids yet.

I'm finishing up my PhD and that entails working in a research lab all day to do my experiments, and also writing my thesis--the memory and concentration deficits make that a bit tougher than it would be, but other than that i have no problems working--my seizures are under control.

My doc is ok--i'm pretty neutral on the subject.

I just wanted to let you know that I know how hard it is to be in school while dealing with epilepsy and memory loss. I just finished my masters and it was tough. I always felt like I was at a disadvantage to the other students. I had to study twice as hard or sometimes I wouldn't be able to study at all. I finally spoke to a disability counselor at my university and it really helped. Also, having all of my teachers knowing helped me tremendously. What worries me is going back to work. I still have trouble with my memory. It seems easier to explain my problem to a teacher than a paying boss. Anyone else experiencing this fear?
-Kathy :rolleyes:
:rolleyes:

My name is Wanda. I have been epileptic since I was 15. I'm now 27. Grand mal seizures. Being treated with carbamezapine 600mg twice daily. No I'm not happy with my neurologist. I don't have a lot of choice. Our hospital can't afford their own neurologist. We get one that visits once a month from a hospital in a neighbouring district. Consequently, visits are every 6 months. Not helpful when you still have fits.

Mom to Sam, who has E. I have Migraines, possible Lupus or thyroid disorder, Chronic fatigue, allergies, Arthritis.

Sam was dx'd with E around age 7, had seizures for almost 2 years prior, we just did not recognize them. He has been on Dilantin, Dilantin SR( behavior trouble, rages, aggravated Learning disabilities.
Tegretol, allergic;Depakote had rages, Pancreatitis:Zonegran did ok, still not seizure free. Currently off meds, since a misdiagnosis with VEEG for Surgery candidacy ( conflicting opinions and reports from the experts.) Not a candidate, some doubt with them whether he may outgrow the e, though he does not have any syndrome that would indicate that or the types of seizures...wait and see, has several seizures a month.

Simple partial, Sensory, complex partial, Nocturnal, sometimes secondary generalized...

He has NO kids yet(he is 12 1/2!)

Dad had Febrile seizures. Dad's uncle had complex partial and Grand mal E, 50 years ago, died at 19 during a prolonged seizure.

Sam is listed as Idiopathic, Intractable Complex partial E, possible Parietal, Temporal and Frontal focus....

Waiting for another opinion after surgery consult if our Insurance will allow, but a bit fearful for more lies and problems....

............

Hi! I'm Becky
I have temporal lobe seizures. I don't go to a neurologist. Several years back when I was in the hospital with severe depression my psychiatrist ran some tests and found out I was epileptic. Since then I have been on Dilantin. Right now I am on 300 mg. That wasn't enough so one time they upped me to 600 mg. I was dizzy. My level was too high. Now my general doc has me on 400 mg. That seems to keep my level just about right.

A few months ago my new psych put me on 125 mg topomax so I could sleep better. I haven't had a seizure since then. Katie Princess why don't you like the topomax. I feel a little druggy first thing in the morning but after that I seem to be as ok as I'm going to be.