Hi, my husband has Grand Mail epilepsy. His fits have slowed down to
only a handful per year since 2000. Before that he used to have a
couple a week, but we were young and I was ignorant about lifestyle
effects on epileptics. We have tried govt issued medications which
caused fits (SA govt only gives 1 version of epilepsy medication out)so
he is not on any medication (no medical aid). His fits were extremely
violent and lasted for over three hours sometimes, when they started
he'd usually collapse straight onto his back, often on concrete.
Although our lifetsyle has improved the frequency of the fits, I am
concerened about him having become extremely prone to aggressive rages.
This seems to have replaced the fits, the rages are almost fits of a
different kind. Could there be a connection to epilepsy and aggression?
We cannot afford any kind of medical treatment at all, so I would
appreciate some information on ways that we may deal with this.
_Bella
Richard Stickman - 06 Jul 2005 16:21 GMT
> Hi, my husband has Grand Mail epilepsy. His fits have slowed down to
> only a handful per year since 2000. Before that he used to have a
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> appreciate some information on ways that we may deal with this.
> _Bella
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello Bella,
As these posts have been bouncing back to me on occasion, I have copied this
reply to YOU as well as the group to make sure you get it?
By SA, I take it you mean South Africa? A shame about the drugs; and that
"concrete feeling"? I know it well and sympathise.
Maybe you are a bit harsh on yourself; blaming yourselves for uncontollable
Grand Mal seizures, but 3 hours? that's hospital in Australia!
Each seizure kills brain cells, so one 3 hours long would really give him a
huge headache!!!
I am very lucky in that I haven't had a Grand Mal attack for quite some
years! Australia makes available generic as well as patented brands of
medication,
but I have had every med and still have multiple attacks. Sometimes over 100
per day!
If your husband has rages during seizures, he might benefit from a sedative
type of med, but I am not a doctor and do not suggest you try this!
I wish you both well.
==
regards, Richs.
Patsy and Darryl - 07 Jul 2005 00:27 GMT
> Hi, my husband has Grand Mail epilepsy. His fits have slowed down to
> only a handful per year since 2000. Before that he used to have a
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> appreciate some information on ways that we may deal with this.
> _Bella
Hi Bella,
For myself there is a definite connection between aggression and seizures. I
no longer have grand mal seizures, just complex partial and simple partial
seizures.
During my complex partials I sometimes feel extremely afraid for no apparent
reason, but more often I feel aggressive. I find it very hard not to punch
the person nearest to me....usually my wife who is only 5 foot 1 and I'm 6
foot 3. On the odd occasion I have punched objects around me and once I even
beat up three of my workmates....that was very embarrassing. Fortunately,
MOST of the time I have the presence of mind not to hurt anyone, and just
flex my arms and clench my fists until they ache from the strain.
I don't know what to suggest except for talking to your husband about it
calmly and making him aware that these rages don't come from himself but are
an effect of the epilepsy, so maybe when he does feel that way he's able to
think about it a little and modify his behaviour, knowing that there isn't a
real reason for being upset and angry.
Having only one epilepsy medication available must make it very hard. There
must be a lot of epileptics who suffer unnecessarily because of this. Here
in New Zealand we have numerous meds available to treat epilepsy....I know,
cos I've tried them all. I currently take a combination of four different
drugs.
Because everyone reacts differently to meds, having only one available
doesn't allow for different types of epilepsy or different types of physical
make-up of the sufferer. How can they expect everyone's seizure type to be
controlled by one medication. It's ludicrous.
Or by one medication are you meaning only one type of med per person, though
there are different meds available??
Darryl.