Epilepsy/ADD - Epilepsy Message Board

gavman · 02-27-2004, 10:31 AM

Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone with a diagnosis of epilepsy has also been suspected to have ADD. Our son was diagnosed with epilepsy 4 yrs ago following one seizure and several abnormaql EEG's. He has always had learning issues such as memory problems, not being able to stay on task, processing issues, word searching, to name a few. He has a full time aide with him in the classroon (1st grade). We have been attributing these learning problems to the epilepsy. This week we took him to a new neurologist that had been recommended to us by several parents from an epilepsy support group (we were unhappy with our neurologist at the time because he did not seem to address "the whole picture" He seemed very focused on the EEG and whether or not our son was having seizures, but not with the learning difficulties). The new doctor said he thought our son could have ADD and recommended a neuropsych. evaluation. I know that ADD does not cause epilepsy but could epilepsy cause/contribute to ADD? Or could he just have both, one not related to the other? Thank you for any insight you have.
Cris

tkdmom96 · 02-27-2004, 08:21 PM

Your post brought back a few memories. Katie was in first grade when her teacher thought she had ADD. She was a special needs teacher prior to teaching a regular first grade class. We went through the whole M-team thing and met with the school pyschologist. We decided to leave it alone because our home report was different than the school report. Attributed it to stress in the classroom (She had 3 students who should have had aides with them. They would kick and bite the teacher and that really bothered Katie a lot). Katie didn't have any other issues, we always felt it was med related. Because our daughter has been through the Neuropsych test recently (August 2003, to evaluate for surgery) I would strongly recommend it. They are able to pinpoint many issues. IQ, quantative, spatial, reading, memory, all kinds of stuff. I'd have to look at the report to tell you all of the areas they test. It took Katie 7 hours to do hers, all in one day. I have no idea if they do something shorter for younger kids. Katie was 15 at the time. It was a long day for her, but very informative for us. She is having a terrible time in Geometry this year (70% average) and had a 92-94% in Algebra last year. We know this has to do with the spatial issues she has, according to the neuropysch exam. We knew this even before she started Geometry in September, but never told Katie. She also does not have ADD. I will tell you Katie's test cost $1700.00 and we live in Wisconsin. It is hard to tell what is E related, med related, etc. But with the neuropsych exam, it should help shed some light for you.

Good luck to you and your son,
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know

HelloKathy · 02-27-2004, 09:51 PM

I don't know if I technically have ADD but I do know that epilepsy does do some crazy things to your memory and attention span. I am an adult and have been through college and grad school and things were very rough for me in class. I would zone out during discussions. I had to read everything 3 or 4 times because my reading comprehension was so poor. The worst thing was my memory and trying to remember things for exams. I got used to it.

The days following a seizure, for up to 2 weeks on some occasions, I am in a different state of my and I can't remember anything that has occured recently or things that are in my short term memory. Also, during these days I have a lot of difficulty learning new things and paying attention. I don't know if this is "ADD" or my mind just recovering from a seizure. Probably the latter.

If you think that your child has ADD due to seizures, I would say that having a seizure causes you to lose your memory and losing your memory causes you to be a little "out of it". So, if your child isn't paying attention in school or at home or is having trouble with learning, don't worry! Get the seizures under control and your problem will be solved. If the seizures aren't going away, you will be relieved to know that I got through years of schooling with tons of seizures, memory loss, and horrible comprehension and concentration. Everything was harder for me than the other students but I never gave up and I hope you don't either!!
-Kathy

gavman · 02-28-2004, 07:27 PM

Vicki and Kathy,
Thank you both so much for your replies. Sounds like a neuropsych. evaluation is the way to go at this point. We have been wanting one for a long time. Had to put it off due to doctor/insurance changes. Now we are awaiting authorization.

I had no idea they could provide so much information. I hope the insurance company will cover this. We've been told it's about 15 hours of testing (done over several days) and approx. $4,000.

Kathy, I really admire what you have been able to accomplish in your life. I feel my son will most likely have a similar experience as far as having to work harder than most people to accomplish the same goal. We will do all we can for him to ensure him the best possible future.

Thanks again!
Cris

kayakmom · 03-01-2004, 09:20 AM

My son has had a diagnosis of ADHD as well as learning disabilities along with the epilepsy. He had neuropsych testing 18 months ago and is due another reevaluation at some point. It was 2500 for us to have all the academic testing he needed. I think the neuropsych part the insurance did pay, but we paid the rest. It was a big help to separate what things were aggravated by the meds, what might be seizure related and what his specific learning problems were.

My son also has to work pretty hard to achieve average grades. His concentration is getting worse right now and we are not sure if it is puberty onset, ADHD increasing, the fact that he has been off meds 18 months and still having seizures( very long story) or the newly suspected sleep apnea issues. All of these can cause the lack of concentration and difficulty...

Hope the testing helps you understand what is making things tough for your son. It is not always bad to have to work hard, but it is frustrating to them to see others get things so easily while they have to work.