Drug options for myoclonic epilepsy

[madge1]

My daughter aged 6 yrs was diagnosed with myoclonic epilepsy at age 3. She experiences myoclonic jerks only...many of them! She was controlled for a time on Sodium Valproate and Lamotrigine. The former, however, worsening an existing tremor.She was seizure free for 11 months and began to get jerks back,since then has not been controlled (almost 2yrs).
She continues to take Lamotrigine. She has tried Clobazam (which stopped her tremor but not the jerks)and now Topiramate.
What other drugs should we expect could be tried for this condition?

[Kristy W.]

I need to know what else can be done for my baby.  My son (now 5 months old) was diagnosed with grand mal seizures at 17 DAYS old.  He has been hospitalized 3 times, has been on Phenabarb, Dilatin, and is currently on Topamax, Felbatol, and Lamictal 3 times a day.  He also has been on Valium from the beginning.  We see a pediatric neurologic specialtist and even he can't figure out anything new.  The medication decreases the seizures but doesn't "fix" them.  We're down to about a half dozen seizures a day from 12 or so (that's what we notice) and Valium down to twice a week instead of twice daily.  I'm scared and confused.  I'm at my wits end with all this.  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, could you please let me know at:  ***@****? Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Myoclonic epilepsy can be difficult to treat. If it is associated with generalized tonic clonic seizures (grand mal) such as in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, the medications or combination of meds have to have coverage against these seizures as well as the myoclonic ones. Keppra has been reported to be helpful with myocl and is very safe with regards to side effects. No level needs to be drawn and it doesn;t affect the liver like many other ones. But it should be used in conjunction with a med like lamotrigine to cover gen seizures. Good luck.