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Medication For Grand Mal Seizures?
Hi Dr.
I am nearly 48 years old and was born with Epilepsy. I have Grand Mal seizures and am photo sensitive. I have been on nearly every medication you can think of. In 2009 I became allergic to Tegretol and was changed onto Keppra. I take 1250mg in the morning and 1000mg in the evening. I am no longer able to work due to the sensitivity of my eyes and the side effect of medicinal asthma, where I get continuous chest infections, where my vocal chords swell up and I can no longer speak or breathe properly. Lately I have been very lethargic and have been having more seizures, even indoors. I also have peti mal seizures continuously and am on Diazapam to try to ease the pain in my eyes. I have had to cancel my regular neurologist as I can no longer afford his bills as I am now on a Disability Pension. I do not want to be dependent on my family for the rest of my life but I feel that I am losing my mind and the ability to cope. I am afraid to go outside just in case I have a seizure, my last one was last Sunday 02/03/14 in my bedroom, which I have no recollection over. I would love some advise and also possibly the ability to see a specialist who bulk bills and understands my case.. Can you help?
Sincerely,
Sonya Swan
I am nearly 48 years old and was born with Epilepsy. I have Grand Mal seizures and am photo sensitive. I have been on nearly every medication you can think of. In 2009 I became allergic to Tegretol and was changed onto Keppra. I take 1250mg in the morning and 1000mg in the evening. I am no longer able to work due to the sensitivity of my eyes and the side effect of medicinal asthma, where I get continuous chest infections, where my vocal chords swell up and I can no longer speak or breathe properly. Lately I have been very lethargic and have been having more seizures, even indoors. I also have peti mal seizures continuously and am on Diazapam to try to ease the pain in my eyes. I have had to cancel my regular neurologist as I can no longer afford his bills as I am now on a Disability Pension. I do not want to be dependent on my family for the rest of my life but I feel that I am losing my mind and the ability to cope. I am afraid to go outside just in case I have a seizure, my last one was last Sunday 02/03/14 in my bedroom, which I have no recollection over. I would love some advise and also possibly the ability to see a specialist who bulk bills and understands my case.. Can you help?
Sincerely,
Sonya Swan
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Answered on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello Sonya
I can understand your problem and try to help.
I suggest you a few things to help control your seizures;
- please get a serum level of valproic acid to see what is going on inside your body?
- You can think of starting on SSRI as you seem to have signoficant anxiety ,which can trigger seizures (pl talk to you doctor first , sertraline is a good choice)
- Please get TSH level done
These can be few causes for poor response to medicines. Further strategies can be made once I know your reports.
DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA
I can understand your problem and try to help.
I suggest you a few things to help control your seizures;
- please get a serum level of valproic acid to see what is going on inside your body?
- You can think of starting on SSRI as you seem to have signoficant anxiety ,which can trigger seizures (pl talk to you doctor first , sertraline is a good choice)
- Please get TSH level done
These can be few causes for poor response to medicines. Further strategies can be made once I know your reports.
DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA
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