Juvenile Mayoclinic Epilepsy (JME)

Hello, I was diagnosed with epilepsy (JME) when i was 13.  One specialist said I stood a chance outgrowing it when I was around 20 yrs old.  Another said I would not...I am currently 22 and for the longest time Ive taked Depakote twice a day almost religiously.  However, lately (last 6 months or so) I have barely been taking my meds at all.  Ive went from taking 2 pills a day to about 1 every two days..Usually by now i would be experiencing the side effects of this e.g. tremors, seizures etc.. but im having zero problems and feel fine.  I also havent been getting my prescribed sleep.  Sleep deprivation was said to cause seizures as well.  That may have been true a few years back, but it seems like it doesnt even affect me at all.  Could i have outgrown my disorder, or be in the process of???
Thank you

[griffydiver311]

Hey! I'm undiagnosed! But I'm sure I have JME .. It ONLY happens in the morning.. i have arm jerking and like a shock sensation. It goes away when I pop a xanax or  If I wait it's like 15min - a half hour. I have Lost consciousness twice my mom said it resembled a stroke.. everyone thought i was dead! It started after I had my first child (16 Y.O.) Do you experience any of that?

Okay here's you answer... I've been reasearching JME for quite some time. I've found NO it never goes away. You may have a long time span before it happens again but usualy it never goes away w/o treatment! be careful you could have a grandmal with discontinuing your meds. so quickly.. I also found that my "attacks" happen around my menstraul cycle and when I'm under lots of stress or sleep deprived! My Doc. said that you could take a special seizure med before your period so you lessen the chances of having an attack. So maybe that's all you may need. I've never heard of these seizures to be outgrown?? But, hey anything can happen! I wish they would go away! I think they may ahve a link with hormones to be honest? B/c when I was pregnant they went away?? Well hopefully I'll hear from you!!

[DrKalraMD]

Hi, ususally a period of 2 yrs without medication in which no seizure activity is seen is considered as adequate for assessment of remission.

[mileskl]

I have been researching JME for the past few months. My 12 year old son had one on Christmas and one on Easter. I'm struggling to find which medication we should try.  According to a recent study, the theory of not being able to outgrow JME related seizures is not correct.  As many as 30% of people diagnosed with JME 25 years ago are medication and seizure free today.

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/full/73/13/e64#top