Epilepsy Talk
Can I Substitute Generic Drugs for My Anti-Seizure Medications?
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The controversy about generic drugs continues…
Who’s Profiting From Your Outrageous Medical Bills?
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This is from the NEW York Times, February 14, 2020.
It speaks of the secret methods of billing. Who pays and who does not. (A precious few.)
Is it ADHD…Epilepsy…or Both?
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ADHD is the current term for the neurological condition formerly known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), Hyperactivity, Hyperkinesis, Organic Brain Syndrome, Minimal Brain Dysfunction, and Minimal Brain Damage.
About 5% of children in the general population have ADHD. However, about 30-40% of children with epilepsy may have ADHD or attention problems. Also, ADHD is seen more often in boys than in girls (some medical professionals claim this ratio to be as high 4 to 1).
Tags: absence seizures, academic achievement, ADHD, attention problems, behavioral difficulties, cognitive, hyperactive disorder, inattentiveness, intellectual, language, learning difficulties, memory, motor, neuropsychologist, Ritalin, spatial, staring spells
Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) Shown to Reduce “Untreatable” Seizures |
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The idea that we can implant a Star Trek-type device that will detect seizures and interrupt them without causing injury is entirely new. And exciting. And scary.
Especially for those people with epilepsy that have seizures that begin at one focal point in the brain, but aren’t appropriate for epilepsy surgery.
Brain stimulation has now been shown to offer significant relief to patients with intractable seizures, for whom drugs and other treatments have not worked.
Auras without Seizures
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Do any of these sensations sound familiar to you?
Suddenly you’re sweating, flushed, become pale or have goosebumps.
Your stomach feels queasy, like you’re going to puke.
There’s a foreboding or fear that something awful is about to happen.
Tags: aura, deja vu, distortion, foreboding, no seizure, odd sensation, perceptions, simple partial seizure, spatial, visual
CBT — When you feel that you’ve hit rock bottom…
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Sara had a brain surgery gone wrong. She spent all of her savings and all of her resources on rehab. One year later, she went home, only to be able to toilet herself and say “dog”. She was lost.
Both physically and mentally. You might say she was “a basket case”.
Sandy was in a near fatal car accident. She survived, but just barely. After her physical healing, she said she couldn’t put two sentences together.
Then she heard about CBT.
Tags: anxiety disorders, behavioral therapy, behaviors, CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cognitive therapy, control, coping strategies, depression, feelings, Panic Attacks, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, problem-solving, psychiatric medications, severe mental illness., thoughts
Epilepsy And Complementary Medicine…
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Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is just what it sounds like. Something to complement the AED regimen you’re already on. And perhaps take an extra step (with your doctor’s go-ahead) to alleviate seizures.
There are lots of alternatives, so I’ll touch on the most popular ones here. (Somehow, I don’t think you’re going to be turning to stones or amulets for relief!)
Tags: acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, chiropractic care, Complementary Alternative Medicine, essential oils, herbal medicine, Homeopathy, massage, meditation, Naturopathy, Orrin Devinsky, reflexology, relaxation techniques, seizure control, stress reduction, tai chi, yoga
Your birthday contribution would mean so much to me…
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For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA – EFEPA.
I’ve chosen this nonprofit because their mission is near and dear to my heart, and I hope you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me.
Tags: birthday contribution, donations, Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania, mission
Judges reveal secrets for a doctor’s malpractice success
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When it comes to the outcome of a medical malpractice jury trial, a physician’s attitude, demeanor, and presentation make all the difference, say judges who’ve presided over many such cases.
So, here’s a look at the other side…
“The fact finder has to look at them and find them credible and sincere when they’re hearing their story,” said Lorenzo F. Garcia, chief magistrate judge emeritus for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.
“There’s truth and there’s perception, and perception can trump the truth. In litigation, being right isn’t always good enough.
You can be right in a claim or right in a defense and still lose if the fact finder doesn’t believe the testimony or dislikes a person, witness, or an attorney.”
Tags: defendant doctors, jurors, medical facts, medical malpractice, trial insights
Celebrities with Epilepsy
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There are some people who don’t turn a deaf ear to what everyone else doesn’t want to hear. The phobic fear of epilepsy.
For example, Greg Grunberg is a true “Hero.” Not just as a TV star but also as the spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation of America. He is joined in his support by:
Tags: celebrities supporting epilepsy, Chanda Gunn, Charlie Sheen, Claudia Schiffer, Courteney Cox, Dame Judi Dench, Daniel Craig, Don Rickles, Emma Thompson, Geoff Pope, Greg Grunberg, Harrison Ford, Hugh Laurie, Jason Snelling, Jennifer Garner, Jonathan Pryce, Larry King, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mike Simmel, Neil Young, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sir Roger Moore
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