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Suggest Treatment For Seizures In An Elderly Person
Question: I AM 66 AND HAVE HAD PETIT MAL INCE A CHILD AT AGE 18 WHEN DOING A LOT OF DRINKING AND SOME DRUGGING IN COLLEGE, IT SEEMED TO HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A MORE GRAND MAL SITUATION. I HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45 SEIZURES IN MY LIFE, BUT AT THIS AGE I AM ON 400 MG OF LAMICTAL DAILY AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE EFFECTED MY MEMORY AND COGNITION. OR COULD THIS BE A SIDE EFFECT OF lAMICTAL? SOME OF THESE BEGAN WHEN I BEGAN TAKING LAMICTAL. PLEASE ADVISE. GENO
Brief Answer:
Epileptic episodes/age likely to cause memory/cognition problems
Detailed Answer:
Hi Geno,
I understand your concerns.
Petit mal and grand mal are types of seizure (epilepsy). Generally, the longer the seizure lasts, the greater the epileptic episodes, the higher the chances to get your brain damaged. In your case, they have affected your memory and cognition.
With regards to Lamictal, its effect is to stabilize the abnormal electrical functioning of the brain. Rarely, its use can cause mental disorders but not to the extent of cognition or memory problems.
Age is another factor aggravating problems with memory and cognition. Altogether (with petit/grand mal), their bad effect is enhanced.
In such cases, it is compulsory to control the seizures episodes as much as you can. Take medicines as prescribed, avoid triggering factors like stress, alcohol, cold (common in some patients); lack of sleep, tiredness, etc.
I also advise to keep regular follow ups with your doctor to evaluate the changes in your brain accordingly.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Epileptic episodes/age likely to cause memory/cognition problems
Detailed Answer:
Hi Geno,
I understand your concerns.
Petit mal and grand mal are types of seizure (epilepsy). Generally, the longer the seizure lasts, the greater the epileptic episodes, the higher the chances to get your brain damaged. In your case, they have affected your memory and cognition.
With regards to Lamictal, its effect is to stabilize the abnormal electrical functioning of the brain. Rarely, its use can cause mental disorders but not to the extent of cognition or memory problems.
Age is another factor aggravating problems with memory and cognition. Altogether (with petit/grand mal), their bad effect is enhanced.
In such cases, it is compulsory to control the seizures episodes as much as you can. Take medicines as prescribed, avoid triggering factors like stress, alcohol, cold (common in some patients); lack of sleep, tiredness, etc.
I also advise to keep regular follow ups with your doctor to evaluate the changes in your brain accordingly.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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