MyEpilepsyTeam

What a journey you and your grandson have already been through — and you're clearly a wonderful advocate for him. Nocturnal tonic-clonic seizures happen during sleep and can be frightening to witness. The good news is that Depakote (valproate) is a well-established medication for this seizure type, so his doctor is on a Show Full Answer

What a journey you and your grandson have already been through — and you're clearly a wonderful advocate for him. Nocturnal tonic-clonic seizures happen during sleep and can be frightening to witness. The good news is that Depakote (valproate) is a well-established medication for this seizure type, so his doctor is on a reasonable path.

Here's some helpful information about nocturnal tonic-clonic seizures in children:

- They occur during sleep and can sometimes go unnoticed
- Anti-seizure medications like Depakote are often the first line of treatment
- If seizures tend to cluster at night, doctors can sometimes adjust medication timing so a slightly higher dose is taken before bed
- Lifestyle factors like keeping a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding sleep deprivation can also help reduce seizures For monitoring, there are seizure alert monitors worth asking his neurologist about. Some options that may be covered by Medicaid include:

- Emfit or similar bed/mattress monitors — detect unusual movement during sleep
- Smartwatch-style seizure monitors — some detect the shaking movements of tonic-clonic seizures
- Video baby monitors — a simple, low-cost option many families use

It's absolutely worth asking the neurologist to write a prescription or letter of medical necessity for a seizure monitor, as this can help with Medicaid coverage approval in Georgia.

A MyEpilepsyTeam member shared a great tip: always keep a list of your child's medications, dosing times, and the neurologist's contact information handy — especially if you ever need to go to the hospital. Some practical bedroom safety tips in the meantime:

- Use a low bed frame or place the mattress on the floor
- Put a soft mat beside the bed in case of a fall
- Move furniture away from the bed
- Mount lamps on the wall rather than on a nightstand

Always talk with his neurologist before making any medication or treatment changes. You're doing an amazing job navigating this! 💙

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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