Epilepsy Talk
Death, depression and AEDs
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“Suicide Risk from 11 Anti-Epilepsy Drugs,” headlines blared across the country.
But we’re still here.
Was it sensationalism by the journalists, irresponsibility by the pharmaceutical industry or laxness of the FDA?
The answer is none of the above. And, by the way, they forgot to include anti-depressants.
At best, I’d call it a misunderstanding. At worst, I’d call it manipulation.
Tags: anti-epilepsy drugs, depakote, depression, FDA analysis, Felbatol, Gabitril, Keppra, Lamictal, Lyrica, Neurontin, suicide risk, Tegretol, Topamax, Trileptal, Zonegran
A chief of surgery offers insider tips to finding the right surgeon
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On Sunday morning, my neighbor Carolyn knocked on my front door holding a basket of carbs and said, “I need to have my gallbladder out. I’ve never had an operation and have no idea how to find a surgeon to do my surgery. I don’t want to die. I brought you some scones.”
Carolyn brings up a valid point — if you’ve been blessed with reasonably good health, you probably don’t have a surgeon’s number on speed dial. Therefore, the bigger question is, in the unfortunate event that you need one, how do you find the best surgeon for your medical condition?
Tags: doctors, insider tips, interview, key credentials, references, risks, top candidates
Is your epilepsy inherited?
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Just because you have a parent, sibling, cousin or aunt who has epilepsy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have it also.
In fact, if you have a close relative with epilepsy, the chance of you having epilepsy is only about 2-5%, depending on the specific type of epilepsy.
The risk in the general population is about 1-2%.
On the other hand, there is a 92-98% chance for the close relative of someone with epilepsy to NOT have the same condition!
Tags: family risk, genetic abnormalities, genetic testing, seizure threshold
What’s the worst accident you’ve ever had?
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The worst accident I ever had was the one that caused my seizures.
I was at an ice rink, speed skating, when some jerk put his foot out. (A real funny joke.)
Into the boards I went, flying over the ice.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation — The Secret Is In Your Breathing!
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Several components contribute to the profound influence of deep breathing upon the nervous system.
Deep breathing improves VNS results!
Tags: balance, deep breathing, nervous system, vagus nerve stimulator, VNS
Epilepsy and anesthesia…
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Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) cause unique considerations for patients with epilepsy because skipping, or even delaying, a single dose, can result in seizures.
Strategies for avoiding or minimizing skipped doses are paramount in the care of patients with epilepsy.
Tags: anti-convulsant, anti-epileptic drugs, Benzodiazepines, IV form, medication, pro-convulsant, surgery, triggers, type of epilepsy
What’s one of the most wonderful things your mother did for you?
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For me it was something very simple. She bought me a notebook.
When I was in fifth grade, I got sent home with a note to my parents, accusing me of plagiarism.
Truth or Lies: Epilepsy in Movies and TV
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Apart from tuberculosis and syphilis, few diseases have been as steeped in myth as epilepsy.
The generalized tonic-clonic seizure has been associated with phenomena ranging from divine powers and possession by spirits to mental and moral depravity.
This has been chronicled and described extensively in fiction and feature films.
They do nothing but reinforce the stigma that is rampant about the condition.
But not always.
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Epilepsy Talk 