Complex Partial Seizures that Generalize Medication Suggestions

Kristin - posted on 10/16/2011

what is vimpat ive been on most seizure med never heard of that one

Kristin - posted on 10/16/2011

thanks i love this site it has helped me out with issues to

Sue - posted on 10/13/2011

Everyone, thank you so much for all of the great information. It's hard to talk to the doctor on the phone (just really get to talk to the nurse), so we will talk to her when we go to the next appointment, in about 2 weeks. I have so much to ask! I feel good about so much more now, and I really want to change meds. I will do a lot more researching. I am not sure the reason why the doctor won't try keppra, but to me, it's worth a try!
I will keep everyone posted and thank you everyone for writing back.
Sue

Kristin - posted on 10/13/2011

doctors don't like to keep a person on same meds for long periods of time because body starts getting used to it and sometimes causes body to get immuned to it some meds

Elaine - posted on 10/13/2011

Hi Sue, my son was 16 when we knew he was having seizures. Like your son he has partial complex that go generalize. The Neuro didn't want him on depakote because of side effects. So he started on keppra and is now on max dosage for keppra. I give him B-complex 100's with his morning dose, he takes lecithin and melatonin with his evening dose. The melatonin has made a big difference since his sleep patterns were not the best. I want to change him to a full multi vit/min in the morning but I think the higher dose is good for seizure patients. He has never changed from one med to another but he gradually increased his dosage over 2 weeks. You should research your son's diagnosis, cortical dysplasia, and see what you can learn on the web. It may be why the Dr's don't try keppra. They didn't find any reason for my son's seizures, he is still having about 1 month, he presented last summer. Good luck

Jennifer - posted on 10/10/2011

My son is on Keppra and it seems to be pretty good. He has been on it for about five years now. He was on Depakote when he first got diagnosed with his complex partial seizures seven years ago. Depakote was bad. He couldn't function, especially at school. With Keppra he's been fine, very few seizures and no side effects. We had to up his dose since he is now a teenager and he hasn't had any seizures since then.

Heather - posted on 10/08/2011

Sue, I didn't-he just took his keppra in the morning and in the evening and a multi-vitamin in the morning! He was so little when we started it that I didn't want to give him anything else!

Sue - posted on 10/07/2011

Heather, I know what you mean about the doctor's having no people skills, lol! It is very frustrating. :( I want to switch my son's meds, but not so fast. Did you give Vitamin B6 with your son's keppra dose?

Heather - posted on 10/06/2011

Sue, I would highly recommend Keppra! And I hope it works as well for your son as it did for mine! My son's neurologist is a magnificent doctor, however, he has NO people skills at all and so he was very frustrating!! I agree that they don't consider the emotional state of the child!

Sue - posted on 10/06/2011

Heather, I am so glad that Keppra worked out for your son. I am thinking that I would rather change from depakote to Keppra because Depakote and Tripleptal interact with each other. It is so hard. The doctor's don't even consider the child's emotional state I don't believe (at least that is what I have found so far).

I hope your son continues to do well without medications!

Heather - posted on 10/05/2011

My son had his first seizure, that we knew he was having, two years ago...he was three at the time...to this day we have no reason as to why it happened...they diagnosed him as having "partial complex epilepsy." They put him on keppra and it worked. I did notice a change in his behavior but it wasn't anything drastic. He was, however, more aggressive the first several weeks. They weened him off this last April and he has only had one seizure since! They know he has silent seizures, but they are so short that we don't know when he is having one. I like keppra because it doesn't affect any major organs negatively!

Heather - posted on 10/05/2011

My son was on Keppra for almost two years and it worked great!

Sue - posted on 10/04/2011

Hi everyone. Talked to the doctor today. Now she wants to wean off the depakote (875 mgs) in 2 or 3 weeks and have the trileptal updosing at the same time. The change will be too fast I am afraid. How fast does everyone change their meds?

Thank you!

Sue - posted on 10/03/2011

Thank you everyone for writing back to me. Wow! I really gives me peace of mind to hear from everyone. :) I am so afraid to change meds because when we tried last time, he became hostile and it took 9 months to get over the side effects of the Lamictal. I am going to get brave and call up my son's doctor and tell her we need to change. I just don't want to do the change in 3 weeks. It is so hard trying to know what to do..... Thank you again everyone!

Lacey - posted on 10/03/2011

My son also had complex partial which turned into generalized seizures. He has been seizure free for almost 3 years thatnks to Tegretol! He still doles show seizure activity but it seems the tegretol is working well! I wish you all luck as having a child with seizures is extremely scary. I hope you all find the meds that work for you.

Jennifer - posted on 10/02/2011

i have seizures since i was 3 months old and now 30. i've been through every med there was. the medicine that i am on is keppra and vimpat. since i've been on the vimpat i have not had a seizure(except when i was pregnant). but that work for me.

Rainey - posted on 09/26/2011

I have a child who is 22 yrs old, he has had all kinds of seizures, he is phyically disabled. He has always needed large does of meds due to his metaboilzing to fast. My neuro, never put my son on depo, said it was to dangerous. He is on 100mg. Phenabarb, 20 ml of keppra bid, 17.0 of trileptal. He also has diastat for break thru seizures, as, he has 30 min. Seizures. Don't be afraid to change ur meds, I was. M glad he is going off dep., my doc said he would not put him on it due to a few patients losing there life. U have to do what makes ur child well and safe. Its hard being a mom. Think of the danger ur son will be in if u don't take a chance. He has been on tri for 4 yrs and keppra 6. Do ur research and talk to ur doc. Good luck and godspeed.

Jessie - posted on 09/26/2011

If the depakote is not working , why not try a different drug? I understand the fear of drop seizures from the trileptal, but it is worth a try. can you get a second opinion from an MD? Have you tried mega doses of B6? I was told to do these during stressful times to settle down my son's complex partials. peace, jessie

Sue - posted on 09/22/2011

Thank you everyone for your replies. I mean by saying the complex partial seizures generalize, that they start out as partial complex, then become grand mal. I am sorry that everyone has to deal with this for their children. It is so hard. It's good to hear that the Trileptal didn't change her seizures. I am afraid to change meds, and don't know what to do. I was thinking Keppra would be a good one for him to try too. I will keep everyone in my prayers, too!
Sue

Nicole - posted on 09/22/2011

Sue,

I know that alot of people do not like keppra. My daughter is taking keppra right now. I don't see many side effects with her on it. She has complex partial epilepsy into generalized seizures. I asked her nero if she is on the right med for her seizures and her nero said yes. This was the first med that she was put on and the only med she is on right now. She is only 7 right now, but she also does have seizure's that I think are coming through, but are checking with a 24hr veeg soon at least I hope...Good luck with one you do next on your next trip. I hope you find the next thing that it will work. Prays are coming...

Kate - posted on 09/22/2011

This is the same as my DD- 8 months- she has complex partial that generalize. She too is on Depakote, but we are still having too many seizures and are hopefully going to be trying something new. She was on Trileptal for about 3 months, with and without Keppra- and while this did not end up being the right med for us, it did not change how the seizures presented.

Heather - posted on 09/21/2011

what do you mean by the seizures have generalized?