Epilepsy Talk
NEW Anti-Epilepsy Drugs
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As an orphan drug, you can see why epilepsy isn’t way up front in the funding department.
But, miraculously, there are 7 new drugs that have come down the line.
Here’s a brief summary of each…
Tags: Banzel, Onfi, Peganone, Perampanel, Potiga, Sabril, Viibryd
Schizophrenia and Epilepsy — The Connection
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There’s always been a suspicion of the possible ties between epilepsy and schizophrenia.
But now, research has shown that schizophrenia and epilepsy are linked in both directions.
Tags: environmental factors, Epilepsy, genetic susceptibility, links, neurobiological, psychosis, Research, risks, schizophrenia
IMPORTANT! Rally for Medical Research!
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NIH funding is in danger and without support its ability to fund important and life-saving research for epilepsy could be delayed.
We cannot afford to reduce medical research funding when there are so many people living with uncontrolled or intractable seizures.
The Epilepsy Foundation is joining in the “Rally for Medical Research” Hill Day on September 18th.
Tags: increased medical funding, medical research, NIH funding, Representative, Senators, September 18th
Special Education — Expectations and the Law
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Special educational ensures that your child needs are met (legally) if they have learning difficulties that need special help at school.
Technically, it’s called a special education provision.
And there may be a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at the school who can look at your child’s needs, alongside the school’s governing body (often the local authority’s education department).
Tags: additional provisions, advocate, Americans with Disabilities Act, anti-discrimination laws, consistency, educational needs statement, Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation's "Legal Rights of Children with Epilepsy in School & Child Care: An Advocate's Manual", expected goals, federal funds, federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Parent Partnership Services, reasonable accommodations, resources, services, special education provision, standards, structured environment, The Individualized Education Program, The Rehabilitation Act
Epilepsy and Psychosis – Is It Genetic?
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Just as epilepsy is called “a storm in the brain,” psychosis might be viewed as “a lightning strike” to the brain.
Both have to do with havoc in the brain, but one’s a neurological issue and the other is a mental illness.
Totally different ballgames, right?
Maybe not, says new research which focuses on the genetic connection.
Tags: Abilify (aripiprazole), common origins, Epilepsy, genetic connection, Geodon (ziprasidone), Ictal psychosis, link, mental illness, Moban (molindone), neurological issue, post-ictal, pre-ictal, psychosis, Risperidal (rispiridone), Seroquel (quetiapine), Thorazine (chlorpromazine) and Mellaril (thioridazine), toxic effects, twice the risk, Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Dravet Syndrome — New Hope Through Research
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Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy was first described by Dravet in 1978.
In 1992, Dravet and colleagues found at least 172 published cases. Since then there have been numerous new cases.
Dravet Syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy.
BEWARE! AED Safety Risks Withheld
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A study by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that a fifth of U.S. neurologists appear unaware of serious drug safety risks associated with various anti-epilepsy drugs, potentially jeopardizing the health of patients who could be just as effectively treated with safer alternative medications.
The findings suggest that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs a better way to communicate information to specialists about newly discovered safety risks, the researchers say, since the warnings are in many cases not getting through to doctors making important prescribing decisions.
A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans
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Here’s a riddle: When is a government benefit that pays for caregivers, assisted living and a nursing home not a benefit? When hardly any people know they’re entitled to it.
That seems to be the story with a Department of Veterans Affairs benefit called the http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/few-know-of-benefit-to-help-aging-veterans/ known as A&A, which can cover the costs of caregivers in the home (including sons and daughters who are paid to be caregivers, though not spouses) or be used for assisted living or a nursing home.
The benefit is not insignificant: up to $2,019 monthly for a veteran and spouse, and up to $1,094 for the widow of a veteran.
Surprised that you’ve never heard of it? You’re not alone.
Tags: allowable assets, confusing, entitlement, income limits, low visibility, scams, underused, undisclosed benefits, veterans, well-kept secret
I Am Not a Camel … but I Do Have Epilepsy
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Here’s an excerpt of a successful woman’s odyssey through the world of epilepsy… It’s riveting.
Tags: afraid, Epilepsy, invalid, professional world, stupid, weirdo, workplace hazard
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