Epilepsy

[Samantha]

My step-daughter just recently had a seizure. She has never had a seizure before and is 11 years of age. Her mother brought her to a doctor and the doctor told her mother that it is common for girls this age to have a single seizure and that there is a syndrome concerning this. I am unable to find any information concerning this and I don't feel as though the doctor she sees is taking this incident seriously. My sister is epileptic and from what I was told this was a grand mal and lasted at least a few minutes and she didn't come back to comprehension for some time afterwards. I'm seriously concerned and am hoping for as much information as possible so that I can be informed and prepared. Please help.

[Katie]

Samantha wrote:

My step-daughter just recently had a seizure. She has never had a seizure before and is 11 years of age. Her mother brought her to a doctor and the doctor told her mother that it is common for girls this age to have a single seizure and that there is a syndrome concerning this. I am unable to find any information concerning this and I don't feel as though the doctor she sees is taking this incident seriously. My sister is epileptic and from what I was told this was a grand mal and lasted at least a few minutes and she didn't come back to comprehension for some time afterwards. I'm seriously concerned and am hoping for as much information as possible so that I can be informed and prepared. Please help.

There are lots of reasons for seizures other than epilepsy. But if there is a history of epilespy in the family, it should definately be investigated, talk to the doctor again or get a 2nd opinion.

[adana]

My mom is 76 yrs old and has had diabetis for more than 50 yrs. Twice she has woke up on the floor wiggling around. She doesn't know if she's having seizures or just passing out. Her doc ordered an MRI of the brain but just told her nothing is wrong with her. I told her to ask for a referral to a neurologist. They won't give her one. She's gonna get a new primary care doc. I don't know what else to do. I had seizures as a child and I'm 49 nows. My son had epilepsie as well. We both grew out of it. This is mom's 2nd episode.

[PurdyTired09]

Samantha wrote:

My step-daughter just recently had a seizure. She has never had a seizure before and is 11 years of age. Her mother brought her to a doctor and the doctor told her mother that it is common for girls this age to have a single seizure and that there is a syndrome concerning this. I am unable to find any information concerning this and I don't feel as though the doctor she sees is taking this incident seriously. My sister is epileptic and from what I was told this was a grand mal and lasted at least a few minutes and she didn't come back to comprehension for some time afterwards. I'm seriously concerned and am hoping for as much information as possible so that I can be informed and prepared. Please help.

Samantha,
Having a history myself, I can assure you, your fears are not what this young lady needs right now. Shee needs assurance she is as NORMAL as anyone else. Getting a complete diagnosis from your 1st Dr's visit is unrealist. The Dr. has the information, they know what to do. Just follow along w/every single prescribed test they encourage and determine she needs with a open mind. She's not a girl who's "marked" now. Don't make her that way.

[Meetz1064]

Samantha wrote:

My step-daughter just recently had a seizure. She has never had a seizure before and is 11 years of age. Her mother brought her to a doctor and the doctor told her mother that it is common for girls this age to have a single seizure and that there is a syndrome concerning this. I am unable to find any information concerning this and I don't feel as though the doctor she sees is taking this incident seriously. My sister is epileptic and from what I was told this was a grand mal and lasted at least a few minutes and she didn't come back to comprehension for some time afterwards. I'm seriously concerned and am hoping for as much information as possible so that I can be informed and prepared. Please help.

As an epileptic for more than 40 years, I would suggest that you do several things.

First--STAY CALM. Then, look at different possibilities that could have caused the seizure. Does your step-child have blood sugar issues?(diabetes, hypoglycemia, etc) Was it that Time Of Month for your step-daughter? In other words, is she cycling? Some E patients are triggered by hormones, and in women that are--and who are specifically tied to their cycles--it will be called CATAMENIAL EPILEPSY. BUT that's ONLY if you're given the diagnosis of E.

Second, the diagnosis of Epilepsy (or E, as I have been calling it) is technically given after 2 or more seizures.

Tests MUST be run to determine if there are indications of epileptiform activity going on in your daughter's brain. That test is called an EEG. Please try to get one done for at least 24 hours. That will show activity when your daughter is both awake and asleep. Also, an MRI will show any physical abnormalities in the brain that might be causing seizures to occur.

DON'T be afraid to go doctor shopping. YOU DO PAY THEIR SALARY. Get 2d and 3d opinions, too, if you need to.

DO start keeping a journal, of what she eats, and what she does--perhaps you can look back and find a trigger for that day. And, if another seizure happens, having that journal WILL be of great help to the doctors, in finding patterns to the seizures, as well as her triggers.

DO feel free to check out support forums to get answers. Here are a few to check out:
www.coping-with-epilepsy.com
www.webmd.com
www.epilepsyfoundation.org