Epilepsy Talk
In Case of Emergency — New Solutions | July 10, 2020
Here are some methods to stop a seizure in its tracks. Or shorten one.
And help relieve you of the dreaded after-effects.
Possibilities you might not have known about…especially the new nasal sprays.
Recently some children have been using Ativan or Klonpin tablets or wafers, placed under the tongue for rescue from seizure activity — which is an excellent way to go.
Then there’s Diastat. Traditionally, it’s been the first line of fire in rescue meds for extreme seizures.
It’s available in a gel form that is inserted into the patient’s rectum to stop a cluster of repeated seizures. (It’s absorbed more quickly that way.)
However children, adults and caretakers aren’t too keen about it, and you can understand why.
Now, it’s been made available in a liquid oral form that comes in a syringe and goes right into the cheek of the mouth.
Also, Versed (Midazolam) and Ativan have been approved as antiepileptic nasal sprays. Plus, Versed can be inserted in the side of the cheek.
The way they work is by crossing the nasal mucosa and the blood brain barrier, providing rapid relief for people as they feel a seizure coming on. Or if someone is in the midst of a cluster of seizures.
And of course, the majority of patients tested preferred the nasal spray in terms of convenience!
(Ask your neuro about them, because they’re relatively new.)
In short, you have these new options which can control seizure activity. Find out more.
Your pharmacist can be a terrific source because he/she’s worked with most of the meds and knows the up-sides and the down-sides.
And remember, once you know all your options, you may be less fearful and more in control when a seizure strikes.
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Resources:
http://www.ice-epilepsy.org/emergency-administration-of-rescue-medications.html
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/using-autoinjectors-treat-seizures
https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/emergency-medication
https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-rescue-therapies
Tags: Ativan, auto-injector, convulsing, Diastat, gel, Klonopin, nasal spray, oral, seizure control, syringe, tablets, Valium, Versed (Midazolam), wafers
7 Comments »
Leave a Reply to Phylis Feiner Johnson Cancel reply
About the author
Seizure control can be a moving target. What works in summer may not work in winter. What works in the morning may not work at night. What works when you are thirty may be useless when you hit fifty. The interactions of hormones, food, supplements, medications and environment is infinitely complex. Keep a notebook. Try to see patterns. People testing these new medications, or meds with new applications, didn’t test them on everyone.
You are the expert in your seizures, not any of your doctors. If you are lucky, your doctor will listen to you and learn from you.
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Comment by HoDo — July 11, 2020 @ 4:35 PM
Meanwhile, if you’re not lucky enough for your doctor to listen to you, here’s a seizure diary that many have found helpful:
Seizure Tracker
https://www.seizuretracker.com/News-Tracks/Seizure-Diary-About.php?PV=
SeizureTracker.com is dedicated to providing people living with epilepsy and their doctors with free comprehensive tools to help understand relationships between seizure activity and anti-epileptic treatments.
Founded by parents of a son who suffered from daily seizures, this online seizure diary empowers people living with epilepsy to become active leaders in their own treatment, working hand-in-hand with doctors. The easy-to-use tools found at SeizureTracker.com allow patients to create personalized reports of logged seizure activity and treatment history that can be easily shared with their medical team.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 11, 2020 @ 4:50 PM
I was thinking not only of tracking seizures, but of noticing some of the weirdnesses we experience. For instance, I crash around 4 in the afternoon. This needs attending to. Anything out of place, or different. Or maybe too different.
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Comment by HoDo — July 11, 2020 @ 5:15 PM
Goodmorning Phylis 😊. I wonder if they have that spray in “CANADA” yet?
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Comment by Kathy S.B — July 14, 2020 @ 1:09 PM
I researched it and all I could find is a phone number for inquiries: For additional medical information about NAYZILAM (which is Midazolam Nasal Spray) , patient assistance, or any other information please visit NAYZILAM.com or call ucbCARES® at 1-844-599-2273. Full affordability information can be found at UCBUSA.news/Affordability.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2020 @ 1:16 PM
Thank you VERY MUCH Phylis!! Out of curiosity do we still require a prescription from our doctor? And if so, can we order from Canada? Or how does that part work? Thank you and please be well 😊💕
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Comment by Kathy S.B — July 14, 2020 @ 1:40 PM
I know that you need a prescription for Midazolam. You’ll have to call the phone number I gave you for availability. Or ask your doctor.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2020 @ 1:48 PM