Update # 8

We went to Zane's Neurologist appointment yesterday afternoon. The most recent EEG came back normal. This is good news, however there really isn't any new information concerning the cause of his seizures. The doctor referred to it as Idiopathic Epilepsy...idiopathic meaning unkown cause and according to the doctor, when a patient has had 2 or more seizures, it is called epilepsy.

I found the following information online regarding Idiopathic Epilepsy and it comes from Dr. Michael Wong. Dr. Wong is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine and an epileptologist in the Pediatric Epilepsy Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

"Idiopathic is usually defined as “of unknown cause”. More precisely, an idiopathic disease is a “primary” or “intrinsic” disorder that cannot be attributed to any other underlying condition. For example, while other types of epilepsy may be caused by a brain tumor, stroke, or other neurological disorder, idiopathic epilepsy syndromes are primary brain disorders that have no other identifiable causes. In fact, most idiopathic epilepsy syndromes are presumed to be due to a genetic cause, but in most cases the specific genetic defect is not known and a family history of epilepsy may not be present.

Idiopathic epilepsy syndromes usually start in childhood, and compared to many other forms of epilepsy, often have a good prognosis. The seizures in idiopathic epilepsy syndromes usually, but not always, respond well to medication, and several of the idiopathic epilepsy syndromes typically remit spontaneously by teenage years. People with pure idiopathic epilepsy syndromes usually have normal or near-normal development and intelligence."

We agreed with Dr. Crisp that Zane should begin taking Trileptal to hopefully control his seizures. We should know in about a month or two whether or not it is working. He takes the liquid form, twice a day. The only side effect that Dr. Crisp has seen among his patients is an allergic reaction. Of course there are other side effects associated with Trileptal, so we will keep a close eye on Zane to see how he does with it. The plan is to medicate him for about 2 years and if he continues to have a normal EEG he will go off the medication and we will see if he has anymore seizures. He will have a MRI in the very near future, but we aren't expecting it to change his current treatment plan. The doctor expects it to come back normal.

So now we just continue with our day-to-day lives. Zane seems to be completely unaware of his seizures and hasn't asked any questions regarding his tests or doctor's visits. He is very easy going and fortunately does not mind going to the doctor. He is taking his medicine without a fight (and always has for that matter). He hasn't even asked why he is taking it. I know I'm his Mom, but I think he is the coolest!!!