I have just been diagnosed with epilepsy. A question:?

Question

The doctor advises me to take medicine. However, he said my seizures happen "once in a donkey years", from my experience about 1 seizure in 7-8 years, but the medicine will better control my seizures, though it won't prevent seizures 100% from happening. I am adverse to taking medication bcos of its known side effects (I have a relative who has taken this medicine and her side effects were really bad..). In contrast to my relative who has seizures at least twice a year, my seizure only occurs once in like 8 years, so do you think I should follow his advice and take medication, or leave it, since I'm 50 this year and I've been without medication for so long and I'm still alright, till now.


(However, the doctor says if my seizures happen when I'm crossing the road, riding a bike etc. I might meet with an accident that's why he wants me on the medication). Well I just wonder what you all think, esp. if you have epilepsy or know of people who have epilepsy. What's your opinion?

Answer 1

I think you paid good money to a neurologist to get the most informed opinion, and that it's not a good idea to base your treatment decision on the opinion poll taken here at Yahoo answers. I suggest you have a frank and open discussion with the neurologist and voice your concerns. Then make your decision. It is entirely possible that you have had silent seizures, and only rarely have grand mal type- and therefore are not aware of the frequency of them, nor any idea of the total number you have had. A doctor doesn't prescribe anti-seizure medications based on the occurence of only one seizure. One seizure does not epilepsy make, and your EEG must be showing something or the neurologist would not be making that diagnosis. Return to your doctor and talk plainly. Then, if you decide to risk not taking the medication, it's up to you. At 50, you are quite capable of making your own decisions without taking polls. You aren't in grade school anymore, and this is not a question of what to wear. This is your life you are talking about, your posterior at risk. It's you that's going to benefit or suffer from the decision, which ever way you choose to go, you who pays for what happens next. You might also discuss other medication choices, since they have several on the market and they don't affect everyone in the same way. But be smart and talk to the doc and not people here. Your life is too important for that.

Answer 2

This is one of those situations where you really do have to carefully weigh the benefits and the risks of taking (or not taking) a given medication.

To be sure, there can be profoundly significant side effects associated with the long term use of anti-seizure medications. Some of those side effects can be managed with other medications (Aricept, for example, has been effective in managing the "brain fog" reported by some patients on anti-seizure meds). In addition, there is no guarantee that taking the medication will, in fact, completely eliminate the possibility of having a seizure. The fact that medication could significantly reduce the likelihood of such an occurrence is an important consideration, as well. Equally true is the fact that IF you were to have a seizure in a dangerous situation, you (or others) could be seriously injured.

If you can limit the potentially dangerous situations to which you will be exposed (or to which you would expose others), then perhaps medicating a person with 1 seizure /8 years is overkill. On the other hand, if you frequently drive, swim, operate heavy machinery, or otherwise routinely engage in behaviors in which an unexpected seizure could cause harm to you or others - medication may be a reasonable option.

To be honest, if it were me, I would choose not to take the medication. I am not YOU, however. Your situation may differ considerably.

Answer 3

I have epilepsy. It is in my family and I had my first one at 21 then another at 34 and then another after a hysterectomy. I am on Keppra everyday. I have been seizure free for almost 4 years. I live a normal life but I will always be epileptic. I take my medicine so my family doesn't have to worry about me and I won't harm them, myself or others while driving. I personally think you should go on the medication b/c you do drive and the seizures could come more frequently. Protect your self and others. My brother has been epileptic for 26 years and he doesn't take his medicine like he should so he has seizures all of the time and has wrecked all of his cars. He just hasn't killed anyone yet. Take your medicine and you won't have them and everyone would be protected. Most people don't know when they are coming on and just fall out. The side effects only last for a short period of time. Trust me it's worth it. Please be careful and re think your decision. GOD Bless! ;)

Answer 4

I DO have epilepsy, and I have had for 34 years. Even if you only have one seizure in 8 years, you do have epilepsy, and seizures can escalate at any given time. As someone else said, you never know when a seizure is going to happen.

Let me ask put it this way. If you got in a car accident only one time in 8 years, would you wear a seat belt or not? I mean, if you only got in an accident every 8 years or so, why bother? It's not like you can schedule them -- car accidents OR seizures. Personally, I wear my seat belt and I take my meds every day.

Answer 5

I think your doctor's got a good point - what if you do have a seizure while you are driving, crossing the road, doing ANYTHING that can put you or other's at risk?!

I would suggest if you are really unhappy about taking medication you discuss your fears of the potential side-effects with your doctor, or get a second opinion, but don't make the decision without medical advice..

Good luck with it all anyway, Be well :-)

Answer 6

I agree with reifguy, all epilepsy is different and mine was different from others. I underwent a lot of tests, MRI's and EEG's plus the Electrodes implanted in between my skull and brain to find the exact location of the problem. Some people take seizures because of lack of daily things needed and it's not epilepsy. I'm just glad I kept going after the problem and not worrying because this will be the 10th year since my operation and I've been seizure free since.

Answer 7

A few doctors will work with you on a slidding scale and provide enough free samples to keep you going. If the wide effect are bad you could work with him about a lower dosage, alternative medication and generic drugs. In the whole process you may find factors to lessen the illness altogether and an outside chance of getting off meds or an even lower dose. Sometimes if you are sensitive to your body you can determine inside yourself after you have tested different options. Doing nothing is not usually advised.

Answer 8

If you have been diagnosed as an epileptic after an EEG you must take drugs on a continuing basis. You must not stop the medicine. You have no control over when yr seizure is going to occur. It may choose its own opportune moment to strike. l will advise u to take the medicine as advised by yr doctor.

Answer 9

Dude,
I don't have Epilepsy & know of no one that does & I really feel bad for you. How bad are the effects? I in 8 years? That may seem long but say if it progress and you don't know that it is? You may be doing something and put lives in danger. I would take it if it were me.
So sorry again! Email me and talk if youd like a shoulder to cry on!

Answer 10

You are asking in the wrong section. Your problem is neurological not mental.

Anyway, I think it's probably a good idea, but if the side effects are not tolerable, then who cares right? Why destroy your quality of life because of something that happens once every 7 or 8 years? Hell, I won't even do it for reoccuring depression.