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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Normal Life, Treatment
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Normal Life, Treatment
by Sans, Aug 15, 2004 12:00AM
My niece, 14 years old, was diagnosed with cortical dysplasia. She has epileptic seizures since she was one year old and continued even with medications. She stopped going to school when her parents noticed some behavioral problems (fighting with classmates) and when the seizures became more frequent. They cannot afford to enrol her in a special school. Many times she expresses her desire to go back to school.
To protect her, all doors are padlocked to prevent her from going out alone (which she did several times before). She resents all the restrictions imposed to her. As a result, she answers back to her parents, shows spoiled-brat child attitude. It's an emotional ride for both her and her parents.
What can we do to help her live a more normal life? Shall we reprimand her when she answers back or just let it go? Is she capable of accepting discipline? Will she be able to experience what a normal adolescent do?
Is there a treatment other than surgery and medicines? Her doctors said that surgery will not totally stop her seizures. With the big amount involved and the small chance of cure, this is not an option to us now.
Thank you and God bless you as you help many people through this forum.
Sans
To protect her, all doors are padlocked to prevent her from going out alone (which she did several times before). She resents all the restrictions imposed to her. As a result, she answers back to her parents, shows spoiled-brat child attitude. It's an emotional ride for both her and her parents.
What can we do to help her live a more normal life? Shall we reprimand her when she answers back or just let it go? Is she capable of accepting discipline? Will she be able to experience what a normal adolescent do?
Is there a treatment other than surgery and medicines? Her doctors said that surgery will not totally stop her seizures. With the big amount involved and the small chance of cure, this is not an option to us now.
Thank you and God bless you as you help many people through this forum.
Sans
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Aug 21, 2004 12:00AM
Cortical dysplasia is a term used to describe an area of the brain which does not form properly. It typically is only abnormal at the microscopic level. It is a common cause of seizures, and depending on how extensive the area is, can cause problems with cognition and behavior.
Without evaluating your niece, I can not tell you what to do with her behavior or treatment. What I can recommend is to have her evaluated by a pediatric epilepsy specialist. If you are in the area we have 4 excellent physicians. I would talk with specialists, like we have, about medical and surgical therapy. This is a common problem which we evaluate at the Cleveland Clinic, and have extensive experience with epilepsy surgery.
Obtaining the best seizure control possible will help with the other issues. Good luck, and sorry for the delay.
Without evaluating your niece, I can not tell you what to do with her behavior or treatment. What I can recommend is to have her evaluated by a pediatric epilepsy specialist. If you are in the area we have 4 excellent physicians. I would talk with specialists, like we have, about medical and surgical therapy. This is a common problem which we evaluate at the Cleveland Clinic, and have extensive experience with epilepsy surgery.
Obtaining the best seizure control possible will help with the other issues. Good luck, and sorry for the delay.
