Seizures

[kristinnieves]

Can she out grow these seizures?? What caused the recent on set of thes or what can cause them??
My daughter is 3 yrs old and she has been shunted since she was 3.5 months old due to secondary Hydrocephalus, primary IVH grade 4. She has had a recent onset of seizure activity since March this year. She had 3 seizures in March and was placed on Trileptal and then on Nov 1 2007 she had a small break through seizure and they upped her medication. I would like to know the percentage of a chance to outgrow the seizures.

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
It is indeed regarding infection during repeated procedures being done.
If the scans are looking good and she does not have any symptoms, it suggests that it is working fine.
The concern in her is always regarding non-functioning of shunt due to blockage.
Bye.

[kristinnieves]

Thank you for your prayers that means the most.
She is currently on Trileptal, we looked up the choices that were given to us in March on the internet and that seemed to ahve the least side effects, if you have to choose. I would like to also get info on any natural medications, my husband and I really hate to give her medications due to possible long term use effects.
When you spoke about the shunt tap, you mean due to risk of infection right?? If the scans look good than can you trust that the shunt is in good function, cause there is still achance of tissue growth covering the cath right??

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
You can ask them for shunt tap provided your decision has benefits outweighing the risk and it is judicious enough.
Keep me informed about her progress.
What anti-convulsants is she on?
I hope and pray best for her.
Bye.

[kristinnieves]

Thank you for your response, you have no clue how much a glimpse of hope for her to outgrow these seizures means. My daughter is doing great right now. You actually won't know anything was wrong with her. She looks normal, functions normal and speaks like she is 3 going on 30.
That is actually why I get so concerned. I don't want anything to happen where she could loose functions of any nature. I am a person of prevention.
I have one additional question in NOV she had that break through seizure and they didn't tap the shunt at that time, they took ct and shunt series and saw that it was intact and left it as that. Should I insist that a shunt tap be doen for rule out of shunt malfunction.
In June of this year she did have a perc tap and the cath was clogged and they were able to clear it with out a shunt replacement. They advised me that everything went fine and even gave me pictures of the clog vs. the cleared cath. I was adv that by doing this per tap shoudl keep it cleared. Should I have reason to suspect a clog again.
I actually saw her Neurosurgeon yeaterday and he said she looks fine and put us on a 3-6 month f/u. But this was a hosp f/u from the Nov incident, so there were no films done. My doc has always done right by my daughter and I don't doubt him but this is my child I am talking about and when I ask him questions I don't always get an exact answer due to Malpractice I'm sure. I used to work in the surgery field and I fully understand how much docs have to protect themselves.

Thank You for all your time
Kristin

[juliannaspring]

hello,
has her shunt been checked one time we was at the hospital and our room mate had a shunt to she had scince she was little and she was having siezures and her shunts was cloged ond had to be cleaned out i dont know much about them myself though just thought it might help you out i wish the best of luck and thoughts and prarys are with you

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
I feel sorry that she has to go through all this?
How is your daughter doing?
Seizures in your daughter are secondary to obstructive pathology. Obstruction in CSF flow causing hydrocephalus which in turn causes seizures due to raised intracranial tension.
If the primary pathology is taken care, then she should outgrow it soon. If the shunt is functioning is fine, then there wont me further increase in ICT and hence there won’t be further seizures. You can taper anti-seizure medication once she has been seizure free for atleast 5-6 months.
Hope this helps.
Bye.