type(s) of seizures: Prolonged 45min to 2 hours she stiffens eyes twitch sucks lips and arms and legs twitch
frequency of seizures: First on 10/98,second 11/98 then 2/99
additional health issues: None
Medications used (in chronological order)
Phenobarbital
still being used: No
effectiveness: Negative
max. dose: 2 teaspoons a day
positive effect: Has fairly good seizure control
side effects: Hyper
comments: No longer in use
Diazepam (Valium)
still being used: Yes
effectiveness: Positive
max. dose: 2.5mg every 4 hours prn
positive effect: Sometimes efective sometimes not
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
still being used: No
effectiveness: Negative
max. dose: 50mg twice a day
positive effect: Has has seizure control so far
side effects: Unsteady
comments: This med was started on 3/18, Tessa had been hspitalized and had 3 more seizures so this med was added.
Divalproex (Depakote, Depakote Sprinkles, Epilim)
still being used: Yes
effectiveness: Neutral
max. dose: 1125mg a day
positive effect: Averages one seizure a month
side effects: None
comments: Still has seizures
Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol)
still being used: Yes
effectiveness: Neutral
max. dose: 50mg 2x's a day
comments: Just started
Personal Notes
Tessa's first seizure was 2 hours long she was in the hospital for 4 days and diagnosed with complex febrile seizures... her second was on 11/21/98 and lasted 45 min..the docs were reluctant to call them fever related because she had no fever upon arrival. she was sent home on phenobarb and was seizure free untill 2/7/99 this one lasted 1 hr45 min and she was intubated and on a ventilator..she started spiking temps and was sent home 4 day later on an antibiotic and in incresase in phenobarb because her level was low which they believe cause this seizure along with an infection...all of her tests have come back normal and she is developmentally on track...we are so frightened...we have a 3 yr old who is relativly healthy and there is no family history..if there is anyone going through the same thing and has any info please contact me. Update: Tessa has had 3 more seizures on 3/17, all were with a very high Temp, This time though we were able to stop the first one before she got to the hopital and her next 2 were in the hospital and they were short and resolved on their own, which we are thankful for. She is now also taking Dilantin 2x a day along with the Phenobarb and we pray this will keep her seizure free. Update: Tessa has been hosptalized 2 more times. Once with a status episode and just last week with a fairly short seizure and she was also diagnosed with fifths disease which they believe brought on the seizure. Her Dilantin level is finally within range, and she is scheduled for her second EEG and MRI on April 27th, I welcome any info from anyone who has or is going through a similar situation. Update 9/19/99: Tessa has changed Neuros, we are much more comfortable and confidant with him. She is averaging one seizure a month, and her last seizure was an absence one. Her med levels change quite often and hopefully they will stabilize soon and keep her seizure free. Update 3/1/01: Tessa passed away on Dec 8th 2000 from a severe reaction to Lamictal
Contact info
For additional information, please send e-mail to Kelie (Kelrust@cs.com)
