HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For Partial Seizures In Absence

What treatments are available for simple visual partial seizures in absence? My 17 year old started noticing these 1-2 times /day about 5 years ago, and they gradually increased to 10 instances/day. This happens when she is standing or walking, and her vision goes black (but she never loses consciousness). She has been tested for Neuropathy, MS, and a few other things and all came out normal. So now her neurologist prescribed Trokendi XR (Topamax), beginning with 50 mg/day and over a few weeks, up to 100 mg/day. She had horrible side effects, such as difficult with memory and concentration, muscle weakness, Paresthesia, dizziness, hypoesthesia, so we are going back tomorrow. Are there other drugs without such significant side effects that can help, or other non-drug remedies?
Mon, 20 Nov 2017
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Hello!

Welcome on Healthcaremagic!

I read carefully your question and would explain that the fact that her seizures are triggered by standing up position is not typical of partial epilepsy seizures.

For this reason, I would recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic hypotension, which may trigger this clinical situation.

If orthostatic hypotension is excluded, I would recommend trying Lamotrigine for the seizure control. It is better tolerated compared to Topamax.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes, Dr. Aida
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For Partial Seizures In Absence

Hello! Welcome on Healthcaremagic! I read carefully your question and would explain that the fact that her seizures are triggered by standing up position is not typical of partial epilepsy seizures. For this reason, I would recommend performing a Head Up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic hypotension, which may trigger this clinical situation. If orthostatic hypotension is excluded, I would recommend trying Lamotrigine for the seizure control. It is better tolerated compared to Topamax. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Best wishes, Dr. Aida