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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Recurring Epileptic Attack After Stopping Medicines. Which Test Will Ensure End Of Epilepsy?

My son aged 34 years is an epileptic patient from the age of 10 years. He is taking Tegretol-CR 200mg twice a day. It is tapered of from 3 times a day to twice a day.When he stopped the medicine he had attack thrice earlier, His EEG is normal. We are afraid of stopping the medication . He had attack few years backHe works in US and drives car daily. Please advise Which test will ensure that he does not have any epileptic problem and can stop medication..Thanks.
Thu, 17 Jan 2013
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Neurologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Dear Mr Ratnam,

Unfortunately, there are no tests to confirm that the epilepsy is cured! The only conformation is with stopping medications and if he does not have a seizure further. A normal scalp EEG does not mean that the patient does not have seizures. It only means that at the time of having the test he did not have seizures.

Therefore, my advice will be to get the guidance of a physician who is well versed with seizure medications and taper the medications as per his advice. The other thing to keep in mind is that if he does have a single fit when the drugs are being tapered, that will impact his driving licence as well when he is in the US. The pertinent advice regarding the local regulations for driving etc will be given by the physician there.

Hope this helps.
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Recurring Epileptic Attack After Stopping Medicines. Which Test Will Ensure End Of Epilepsy?

Dear Mr Ratnam, Unfortunately, there are no tests to confirm that the epilepsy is cured! The only conformation is with stopping medications and if he does not have a seizure further. A normal scalp EEG does not mean that the patient does not have seizures. It only means that at the time of having the test he did not have seizures. Therefore, my advice will be to get the guidance of a physician who is well versed with seizure medications and taper the medications as per his advice. The other thing to keep in mind is that if he does have a single fit when the drugs are being tapered, that will impact his driving licence as well when he is in the US. The pertinent advice regarding the local regulations for driving etc will be given by the physician there. Hope this helps.