Epilepsy Talk
The Trouble with AEDs
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At the very best, finding the right anti-epilepsy drug is a crap shoot. There’s always the hope that this one will do it. Or maybe adjunct therapy will work. Or, sigh, the side-effects derail you and you’re on to the next. Is asking for seizure control too much?
The good news is that many newer AEDs are better tolerated than the older, standard AEDs. Although they, too, come with side-effects.
Newer AEDs often cause less sedation and require less monitoring than older drugs. Although they are generally FDA-approved for use as add-ons to standard drugs that have failed to control seizures, they are often prescribed as single drugs.
Specific choices usually depend on your particular condition and the specific side-effects of the AED.
None has emerged as being superior to either standard or newer drugs. All appear to offer some benefits, however, as with standard anti-seizure drugs, they all come with side-effects of their own.
But, until a cure for epilepsy is discovered, medical treatment is the only game in town. Unless you go for surgery or some of the newer intervention techniques.
Tags: anti-epilepsy drugs, benefits, dangers, seizures, side effects, uses
The Alarming Drug Shortage — A Continuing Crisis
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The drug shortages that have been plaguing the U.S. show no signs of going away anytime soon.
The problem peaked in 2011, when a record 251 drugs were declared in short supply. This year, slightly more than 100 were placed on the list, and workers say the battle to keep pharmacy shelves stocked continues…
Tags: congressional hearings, critical, drug shortage, emergency, executive order, expired drugs, FDA, President Obama, rationing, seizures
A Fallen Football Hero
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This is a story about life’s hard knocks. Literally.
It’s the story of former Browns running back Jerome Harrison and how Harrison is now suffering from post tumor seizures. The tumor was brought on due to concussions that Harrison suffered during his time in the NFL.
The 28-year-old running back was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the trade was voided a day later when he failed his physical with his new team, once Eagles’ doctors discovered he had a brain tumor.
The good news was the tumor was discovered, it was non cancerous, and it was removed.
The bad news is that Harrison is suffering a string of post-tumor seizures, along with other complications from his brain surgery.
His football days are done. And life as he knew it, will never be the same…
Seizure Free – A Hope or a Promise?
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Is it a reality…a hope…or a promise?
Have you been there once for a visit? And then come back, to the land of falling down, shaking, quaking and blackouts.
We all know, the only thing that remains the same is change. Everything is in a state of flux. Drugs, science, our bodies, our brains. From that you can choose hopelessness. Or hope…
Tags: angry, courage, drugs, Epilepsy, hope, hopelessness, information, perseverence, possibility, promise?, science, seizure-free, seizures, support, surgery, victim, VNS
Seizures and Sleep Disorders
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Sleepless night. Exhausted afternoons. Confusion. Memory loss. Trouble with concentration, mood swings and, of course, seizures. Which may increase in frequency or severity. Or may even contribute to intractable seizures. It seems like an endless cycle.
For people with epilepsy, sleep problems are a double-edged sword; epilepsy disturbs sleep and sleep deprivation aggravates epilepsy. The drugs used to treat epilepsy may also disturb sleep. Because lack of sleep is a trigger for seizures, achieving healthy sleep on a nightly basis is essential for people with epilepsy…
Exactly what IS Neuropsychology?
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I never had a clue what neuropsychology was all about. Although it sounded like a good idea.
Then a while ago, I had an assessment. (Mercifully, it was the two-hour test and not the 8-hour version.)
The neuropsychologist I went to had all the records of my last 12 years with my neurologist and it was clear he had done his homework. The question was, did my deficit in memory come from my history of seizures, my previous concussions (one of which was only a month ago) or even age itself? (I thought to myself, geeze, I’m only 59!)
Tags: age, attention, brain behavior, brain tissue, cognitive impairment, concussions, damage, functions, learning, memory deficit, neuropsychology, organization, planning, problem-solving, retraining, seizures, treatment
Dating Disasters and Epilepsy
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When I was a teen I fell down, walked into walls, bumped into virtually everything in my path, and almost drowned in the shower.
So, you can imagine what a disaster dating was. Of course, in my infinite wisdom, I would never tell my dates that I had epilepsy. My parents wouldn’t even utter the word, so rather than become a pariah, I kept my mouth shut.
Bad idea…
Epilepsy and Energy Drinks – Think Before You Drink!
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It feels good and it tastes good, it’s easy to drink and it gives you that extra jolt of energy. But is it really worth it?
Think the death of 18-year-old Irish athlete, Ross Cooney, who died within hours after playing a basketball game and consuming four cans of “Red Bull”. (Subsequently it was banned in France.)
Tags: adolescents, caffeine, children, energy drink, health risk, seizures, sugar
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