Epilepsy

Germanshepherdsmum

I have had epilepsy since I was 17. After some years of experimenting with different dosages of drugs it was completely controlled and I have had no seizures since I was in my 30s though I must take the medication for life. At no time did I exhibit the type of behaviour that you describe.

Me too, although I started at 13. I can't say I was ever rude to my parents but maybe the younger generation are less respectful in general?

The idea of turning down Mum's good food and ordering a takeaway would have had my dad down on me like a ton of bricks. It's not something I would ever have done. But again - is it an age thing?

I started with seizures when I was 80 which were classed as Epilepsy. The seizures went on for some time and after having one in the consultants waiting room I was taken straight to hospital and had some sort of device attached to my heart. Unfortunately this DID not work so I was then given a pacemaker. Since being fitted with the pacemaker and being on Levetiracetum ever since I done very well and will be 92 this month.

My 42 year old son was diagnosed with Epilepsy when he was 15. Its controlled with medication and he hasn't had a seizure in years. However, I worry about him constantly . He lives in another state so it is hard. He keeps in touch with me everyday as he knows I worry. The flapping of the hands sounds like autism. I would see a specialist to find out.

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A seizure can be largely being long or small by being just a few seconds absence. My daughter was under one of the leading consultants in the country and well into the 90’s called them petit mal or grand mal. What’s your qualifications

DiscoDancer, I am not a wind up merchant. You say I make no sense. Why? I think you mean that I make no sense to you.

Could it be a side effect of the medication he takes to control the epilepsy? I would imagine that the medication is quite strong. Whatever the cause, a visit to a gp and/or his epilepsy specialist could help.

Barmeyoldbat

Bonbons01 I find your comment about petit all and gran mal a total useless bit of information. Some of us have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with epilepsy since 1970 when it was called petit and grand mal, and that is what we still call it. And there is a difference between a large storm and a small, a big difference, just as there is between petit and grand mal.

I think this poster is a wind up merchant. She/ he makes no sense at all.

Barmeyoldbat an epileptic seizure is not a storm, neither large or small.

Gr8dame, I really don't think that your grandson's behaviour has anything to do with the fact that he has epilepsy. You say his seizures are controlled and his medication reduced so it also unlikely that epilepsy medication is responsible. It sounds like your grandson used to have (focal) impaired awareness seizures. He exhibited automatisms during his seizures - the hand flapping and continuing to walk if he was already walking. Has your grandson had an eye resonance (epilepsy specific)) MRI may I ask? Whereas a routine MRI can be helpful sometimes an epilepsy specific MRI is much more sensitive.
It is more likely that lockdown has impacted upon his behaviour or it could be, as other posters have said, that he has just turned into a stroppy teenager.

Bonbons01 I find your comment about petit all and gran mal a total useless bit of information. Some of us have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with epilepsy since 1970 when it was called petit and grand mal, and that is what we still call it. And there is a difference between a large storm and a small, a big difference, just as there is between petit and grand mal.

It was a sudden change, previously he was a happy child. This has happened since the COVID lockdown.

DiscoDancer1975

Ps...the OP doesn’t have epilepsy. Her grandson does.

I am aware of that DiscoDancer1975, I inadvertently missed out the word grandson. I didn't review my post.

The thread is about the OP's concern about her grandson, of course it is. The OP also provides background details that informs the readers that he has epilepsy. The thread's title is Epilepsy.

Thanks Whiff I will get her to check it out.

Ps...the OP doesn’t have epilepsy. Her grandson does.

bonbons01

It's not a matter of words DiscoDancer1975. Incidentally, how do you know whether epilepsy has or does cause me and/or my family distress? It is very unlikely, unless it is medication responsible, that the OP's behaviour has anything whatsoever to do with the fact he has epilepsy.

I don’t know what causes you distress. I was referring to the OP, who is clearly concerned, which is what this thread is about....isn’t it?!

It's not a matter of words DiscoDancer1975. Incidentally, how do you know whether epilepsy has or does cause me and/or my family distress? It is very unlikely, unless it is medication responsible, that the OP's behaviour has anything whatsoever to do with the fact he has epilepsy.

From your description, I really would be surprised if his behaviour is a result of the epilepsy.
My niece is epileptic after an accident when she was a baby that resulted in her needing 2 blood clots removed from her brain.
My brother and SiL were warned she could possibly suffer fits at some point and she did - from aged 7 to 10 and again when she was going through puberty which carried on into adulthood.
Had her daughter when she was 17 and the neurologist taking care of her during her pregnancy was the same man that had operated on her when she was a baby! At no time did she display any of the symptoms your GS is exhibiting, so I think that there is a neuro diversical cause for his behaviour.
At 18, it is up to him to seek advice. He may well be struggling with his behaviour and may not want to be like he is .
Is there any way that you could persuade him to initially see his GP in the hope that he will be seen by a specialist ? Just be aware that it is a long wait to be seen. epilepsy.org.uk might be helpful , thebraincharity.org.uk, www.mencap.org.uk may also provide you with information and support and signpost you how to cope and the next steps to take with your GS.

bonbons01

No person is epileptic, if a person has epilepsy they have epileptic seizures. A person is not a seizure.
There is no such thing as a grand Mal seizure, and there is no such thing as a petit Mal seizure. This terminology is defunct and has been since 1985. The terms were dropped by the ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy) because the definitions are inadequate. What does large storm or small storm mean? Neither have anything to do with epilepsy.

How helpful! Whatever you want to call it....it’s causing the OP and her family a lot of stress, as it did my DIL’s family.

Mincing over wording is not the answer.

I think his parents need to speak to their GP in the first instance and seek advice whether his current problems could be in any way connected to his previous diagnosis. If he was under the care of a particular specialist then perhaps you could ask to be referred back.

It may be difficult to persuade him to see the GP himself, but clearly that would be the next step.

It may, however, just be a particularly stroppy teenager who has gone off the rails.

No person is epileptic, if a person has epilepsy they have epileptic seizures. A person is not a seizure.
There is no such thing as a grand Mal seizure, and there is no such thing as a petit Mal seizure. This terminology is defunct and has been since 1985. The terms were dropped by the ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy) because the definitions are inadequate. What does large storm or small storm mean? Neither have anything to do with epilepsy.

Has he always. being like this or it was a sudden change?

I’m so sorry downtoearth. How devastating for you and what a very cruel remark by her doctor. Very different to the sympathetic and encouraging consultant I saw before becoming pregnant.?

Gr8 hope it helps in someway,teenage years are the worst years to be diagnosed,and have to stick with the regime,no wonder they rebel against the condition.

Hope your GS can get past this,and enjoy his teenage years with the help and suppirt he has,I am sure he will.