Epilepsy Talk
Suicide and epilepsy…
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We are in a mental health crisis in this community. And not enough is being done to avert it.
According to a peer-reviewed journal article from Epilepsy and Behavior, statistics concluded that people with epilepsy are 22 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
Dilantin – What People Are Saying…
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When I was first diagnosed with epilepsy back in 1969, the availability of AEDs was limited.
Phenobarbital or Dilantin.
Pick your poison.
I chose Dilantin. It was not a pretty picture.
I was a walking zombie, constantly keeling over, and the final insult was when I went into a coma because of toxic blood levels. (No brain, no pain?)
But many have their own serious tales to tell. Here are some of their experiences. And some advice…
Stop the FDA from regulating supplements and nutrients
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The Dietary Supplement Labeling Act pretends to be consumer-oriented, but instead will give the FDA redundant power that it could easily misuse, restricting your access to nutritional supplements and raising the cost of buying them.
In short, nutritional supplements will be regulated like prescription drugs…
Tags: consumer interests, FDA, nutritional supplements, unnecessary legislation
The Mystery of Epilepsy and Celiac Disease
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The relationship between celiac disease and epilepsy has been documented in medical journals for decades. Yet neurologists rarely consider it as an underlying possibility in cases of idiopathic epilepsy.
It never ceases to amaze me what an impact celiac disease can have on one’s life and quality of life, but there is no routine testing for it. Yet, I‘ve been told (and have read) that very few people with epilepsy are told of the possibility of celiac disease!
Tags: brain, celiac disease, Epilepsy, Folic Acid, gluten, malabsorption, nervous system, nutritional deficiency
$56,000 a year for an unproven drug!
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Getting the FDA to retract a decision, is like getting the toothpaste back in the tube, after it’s been squeezed out…
Whether it’s “yes” or “no,” there is no “maybe so”.
A good example is the new all star Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab.
Whether it’s “yes” or “no,” there is no “maybe so”.
Tags: $56000 a year, aducanumab, Alzheimer’s, efficiency, FDA, not proven, patients, risk, side-effects
A ‘Pacemaker’ for the Brain…Reducing Seizures by as Much as 50%…and Depression up to 30%
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Some people know Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for epilepsy, reducing seizures by as much as 50 percent.
It’s designed for the considerable number of patients suffering from medically refractory epilepsy who are not candidates for for resective brain surgery.
This tiny pacemaker-like device, is implanted in the brain to deliver a small amount of electricity when it detects the onset of a seizure.
But, what most people DON’T know know is that Deep Brain Stimulation, can help depression by up to 30 per cent.
Tags: can help depression by up to 30%, DBS, Deep Brain Stimulation, emotions, individualized, nearly 1/3 of the more than 250 million people with depression, one size does not fit all, pacemaker-like device, reducing seizures bu as much as 50%, tiny
What Is the FDA Thinking?
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Getting the FDA to retract a decision is like getting the toothpaste back into the tube, once it’s been squeezed out.
Take the current all-star Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab. It’s not a proven but it IS approved. To the hefty price tag of $56,000 a year!
Vagus Nerve Stimulation…Is it for YOU?
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Having a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted can be a tough decision. Is it right for you? Will it work? What are the side effects and consequences?
I did some research and got the low-down on what it is, how it works and some interesting statistics.
Tags: brain, depression, electrical pulses, improvement, memory, mood swings, refractory, setting, signals, vagus nerve stimulator
$112 billion new Alzheimer’s drug in question
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Getting the FDA to retract a decision is like getting the toothpaste back in the tub, after it’s been squeezed out…
Whether it’s “yes” or “no,” there is no “maybe so”.
A good example is the new all star Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab.
Tags: $112 billion costs, &56000 a year, alzheimer's, FDA, Medicare, not proven, side effects
The Perils of Discontinuing Your Meds
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One of the most common questions is “when can I stop taking my meds?”
Especially for those whose seizures have been under good control.
It makes sense. Because if you’re doing well, you start to wonder: “Why do I need these meds anymore”?
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