Hello Michele, and I know this is a difficult time for me to say this, but welcome to you and Ruth. As a patient I had more difficulty than my parents accepting it. Of course, I was in my 20’s when it finally became obvious. But what both your sons need now is support and reassurance, patience and steadfastness. It’s better to trust the neurologist when it comes to meds. As for side effects, they all have them, and it depends upon the individual. I recommend NOT going by the package inset, or research you find on the web. When they talk about side effects there, they have to include ALL recorded side effects, including the 1 in 1000 people.

Please let your sons feel accepted with this diagnosis. It will be easier for them to accept themselves and everything that the feel happening, even the seizures. And Michele, the fact that he had the second seizure in such close proximity is suggestive of a pattern. The most supportive thing you can do right now is to give his meds regularly without missing a dose (I used to make that mistake), and keep a log of all witnessed activity, including unusual twitching and especially unusual behavior, to show the dr. And read the resources here (click on grey box, upper L hand corner), there are posts about juvenile epilepsies and their treatment (although they may have early adult versions, only time will tell)…

I wish both your families the best this holiday season, and keep in touch re: your sons! We—both survivors and families alike, would like to be kept up to date, and post any questions along the way!

Hi Michelle, my son was diagnosed in March very hard to come to terms with. Did the doctors/ neurologist discuss the results of the EEG with you? I have read that eplim is a very effective medication. I think all epilepsy medications have side effects but everyone is different. If the doctors are sure it is epilepsy then I think starting treatment early is better than waiting. Your son is young and may grow out of epilepsy as he gets older plus the medication could suit him and control his seizures. If not then there are plenty of other medications to try. The next few weeks will be tough but as the shock of the diagnosis lessens you’ll see things more clearly try to find positive stories about epilepsy. Most of all and I know this is hard let your son do the things he normally does I found myself hovering all the time and it wasn’t good for either one of us. As a parent I think you grieve for the life you once thought your son would have but he can still have that life he may have to take medication daily (something that I struggle to come to terms with) but if it works then he will be able to do the majority of what everyone else does. Epilepsy is such a common condition people just don’t talk about it that much because the majority who are lucky enough to have seizures controlled take their meds and get on with their every day lives. Make sure you look after yourself not easy when going through this. If you need to talk we are all here. Xx

I didn’t believe I had epilepsy either at first but consult your doc and try a safer one your on a road to find the right med anyway

What on the eeg made them diagnose epilepsy? Many people have single episodic seizures for different reasons. A shame to start taking loads if medicine at age 14 because if one event. I would definitely go to another doc for second opinion.

Thank you for sharing!