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could my teen daughter have epilepsy?

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Epilepsy
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Posted 9/23/2007 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
She has had 'episodes' in which her vision is altered--things are bigger or smaller than usual, or they look fake. Her skin sometimes gets a disturbing feeling when touching anything, and she's sometimes so numb that she can't feel pain or heat. She also gets intense 'rushes' of realization that frighten her and come out of nowhere. So far we have noticed that ADHD medications and some antibiotics bring it on. We have a family history of seizures....my other daughter had absence seizures until she was 13. The things my younger daughter is describing are strange and not what I thought of as seizures. Only when she told me about the numbness and lack of pain did I suspect. She hid most of it for several years (!!) being afraid that she was losing her mind. Poor baby. Do these things sound familiar? Also, I know she will lose her license for at least a while, but when she gets it back will the insurance company be allowed to greatly raise her rates?
Posted 9/23/2007 11:01 PM (GMT 0)

Tanya,

I'm afraid I am not going to be of much help to you.  I was diagnosed with epilepsy last summer at the age of 55, though I did have a few seizures between the ages of 12 - 13.  I am not at all familiar with ADHD medications and how they might interact or bring on seizures.  I can relate to the intense rush feelings you describe, but not the disturbed feeling when touched, but then, I live alone.

One of our moderators or someone with more experience with different types of epilepsy should be along soon.  I want to welcome you to the forum.  I know it has to be frightening when it is your child.  I would definitely suggest getting her in to see a doctor very soon.

This is a very caring group of people.  I would have been lost without them when I was first diagnosed.  Please know that we are here for you and your daughter.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 9/24/2007 4:49 AM (GMT 0)

Tanya,

Although I have a different typ of epilepsy, I can't comment on that  BUT, re: driving:

She will have her driveres licence removed for a while (usually for 6 mos to 2 yrs depending on her particular circumstances) and insurance Companies will provide coverage at a very high rate b/c she would considered a "risk"

Randy

Posted 9/24/2007 11:48 AM (GMT 0)

Hi there Tanya,

It is possible that there is a chemical in ADHD meds that can trigger seizures (Kind of like an allergic reaction). Which meds caused the reactions? My gut reaction reaction doesnt suggest epilepsy but I am not an expert. Have you talked to a neurologist?

Darren

Posted 9/24/2007 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
we are seeing a neurologist in 2 weeks. ADHD medications are stimulants, which I think can lower seizure thresholds. She has reacted to Adderall, Concerta, Provigil and Ritalin. Although they work for her attention, they bring on these 'rushes' and she has had to stop each of them within a few days. I forgot to mention that she has also reacted to antihistamines.I have not seen any body jerking but she has occasional leg tremors. She also has what look like absence seizures sometimes during which she kind of stares with a flat expression and pinches her lower lip, but they may be from ADHD 'spacing out'. It's so hard to know. I suspect that if this is a seizure disorder her EEG will be very active, like my other daughter's was. The neurologist characterized it as 'a circus going on in there'--hers was very active even on meds.
Posted 9/24/2007 8:34 PM (GMT 0)

Tanya,

Re: Antihistimean(sp) and/or Decongestants;

I've been told by my neurologist and family Doctor that, If I should happen to catch a cold or the flu , Since I'm on medication for my EP, I should not take any over the counter medications, especially the ones that contain DECONGESTANT or ANTIHISTIMINE as they can cause internal bleeding or even massive nose bleeds. When they mix with the other meds that I'm on, they can also trigger a seizure. nono Randy

P.S. ~  This is valuable info. and is not printed on medication bottles and/or literature that comes with the meds.

I don't know why the FDA doesn't make this a manditory practise for drug Cos.


diagnosed with epilepsy and Ulcerative Colitis in 1979
- current meds are:

275mg dilantin/day
120mg pheonobarb/day
3,000mg Mesasol/day

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