Any experience of ETHOSUXIMIDE?

[lou031205]

After the disaster that was clobazam, and in the absence of the report of DD1's S-DEEG, but the presence of tremors, the consultant has prescribed Ethosuximide.

I know there aren't too many on here with DC with Epilepsy, but wondered if any of you have come across it?

It was suggested to us as DS's next drug when he started with the dreadful absences and NCS. The only reason we didn't end up with it is that it's not compatible with the keto diet as it's very high in carbs so DS would have had to sacrifice his already tiny fruit and veg allowance for the med.

He ended up on rufinimide - it's licenced for LGS which one team are adamant he has, but the other team we have seen really don't think it is (another )

But thankfully it seems that the keto diet is being wonderful for DS. I hardly dare post or think it, but things are just fab at the moment. He's not had a single absence since the week he started the diet, and although he is still a bit twitchy in his sleep, his tonic clonics have gone down from twice a night, to maybe two a week. He's just done his two full weeks at school - the first since Christmas and has just started swimming lessons again

I know I should just enjoy things as they are, but as you know Lou, bloody epilepsy has an awful habit of creeping back in doesn't it and whacking you just when you expect it the least

Good luck with the Ethosuximide - it was the team which we have been really impressed with who were thinking about it for us so am certain it's a good one!!

DD has been on this for over a year and it has been our miracle drug. Her absences went from literally hundreds a day to zero almost over night. We have not had any issues with side effects either and apart from having to tweak the dose slightly it has been really good for DD since starting. She still takes epilim also but not sure how much this is doing. I have mainly heard of this being prescribed for absences though. Best of luck

Thank you both.

fatzak - hurray for the keto diet!! that is wonderful.

SJ - thanks for that, let's hope it does likewise for DD1.