Epilepsy medication

[CheeseToasty]

This morning my daughter was diagnosed with focal temporal lobe epilepsy and was wondering if anyone here could offer any advice on medication. The consultant has sent us away to decide if we wish to medicate. They did not offer any recommendations.

My daughter first noticed symptoms in the summer so we went to the GP which has led us to this point. Since the summer she hasn’t notice any seizures however following her eeg we know that they are still happening. I haven’t actually witness any either so was wondering how necessary it was to medicate and as we are not aware of them how will we know if they are working? She is sitting her GCSE’s this year so worried about side affects as well as the implications of not medicating.

Thanks for reading.

[NutellasKitchen]

Hiya,

As your daughter's seizures don't currently have an adverse affect on her everyday life I really wouldn't recommend it, especially with her GCSE's coming up.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy at a similar age, and started on medication when I was about 19, very specifically because I was desperate to get my seizures under control and get a driving licence (disclosure - I'm 45 and I still haven't managed 😩).

However. Once you do start on medication, it can take years to get a balance between seizure control and side effects. They really can do very odd things to your cognitive skills. I've tried loads! There was one which made my career take a nose dive because I couldn't really process information quickly anymore. There was one which made me lose loads of weight effortlessly - but sadly that effect wore off. Happily these days I'm on a good combination and I don't see the consultant anymore but it's taken a while.

All the best to you and your daughter! X

[CheeseToasty]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I know everyone will have their own unique experience but it still helps.

I now know what meditation will be prescribed if we choose and apparently it is unlikely to cause adverse side effects. We haven’t made any decisions yet but do feel more informed.

[KellyMarieTunstall2]

Hi Op
I'm in a similar situation. My son has had 2 seizures and we've been offered meds or wait and see. I felt there was a real lack of information and direction. I was made aware of SUDEP and status seizures the worst case scenarios but not enough real discussion re the different types of drugs.
My son is doing well at school, for context , top set in Math and English and I'd hate to potentially affect his learning and progress or change his personality. But I worry about future seizures and the worst case scenarios. I'm so worried that I feel it'll be me taking medication.