Samuel had his first appointment with a pediatric neurologist on August 21. It was a great appointment, and the neurologist is wonderful. It was wonderful to have my many questions answered and to get a firm diagnosis we can manage with medication.
The doctor determined that Samuel has epilepsy. Samuel has definitely moved out of the realm of febrile seizures and into the realm of epilepsy.
The doctor determined that Samuel has epilepsy. Samuel has definitely moved out of the realm of febrile seizures and into the realm of epilepsy.
He wants to get an MRI done again, since his last one was over 2 years ago, but he says it's not crucial at this point because an MRI would help determine the cause of the epilepsy, but would not change the course of action at this point. The MRI would look specifically for "Mesial Temporal Sclerosis" and "Migrational Abnormalites" aka "Heterotropias." He explained that the last one would be like a birthmark in the brain. Since I've already said more than I know and understand, I'll stop there.
He thinks this is something Samuel has had since the womb, developing before birth, and was not caused by anything anyone did or didn't do, including not being from lack of oxygen at birth or anything like that.
He gave us 3-months-worth of a medicine to begin the process of figuring out which medication will work the best. It is important to get the seizures to stop, since he has had quite a few lately (13 since mid-May). The medicine is called Keppra (Levetiracetam), and it's to be taken twice daily. This medication is his first choice because of the lack of side effects and no effect on the liver, but there are four other medications to try after this one if it doesn't work. So far, after two weeks on the medication, we've not seen any side effects, and he hasn't had any seizures. A great start!
Our primary prayer is that this first medication will work well so we don't have to go to other medications with more side effects, and that the side effects for this one will be nonexistent. The goal is that the medication will prevent all further seizures.
He thinks this is something Samuel has had since the womb, developing before birth, and was not caused by anything anyone did or didn't do, including not being from lack of oxygen at birth or anything like that.
He gave us 3-months-worth of a medicine to begin the process of figuring out which medication will work the best. It is important to get the seizures to stop, since he has had quite a few lately (13 since mid-May). The medicine is called Keppra (Levetiracetam), and it's to be taken twice daily. This medication is his first choice because of the lack of side effects and no effect on the liver, but there are four other medications to try after this one if it doesn't work. So far, after two weeks on the medication, we've not seen any side effects, and he hasn't had any seizures. A great start!
Our primary prayer is that this first medication will work well so we don't have to go to other medications with more side effects, and that the side effects for this one will be nonexistent. The goal is that the medication will prevent all further seizures.
Thank you for all your prayers.
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