[Lisa14]

Sorry its been a while I know. Went on vacation to Florida. so dean's neurologist tapered him off keppra and has him on lamictal150mg daily. he has had 3 episodes where he has blacked out and fell. we have found out he has severe peripheral neuropathy. his feet are numb but fortunately he's not having the pain. So he has went to just staring to staring and falling. Unsure if due to seizures or neuropathy?? Neurologist doesn't seem to know whats going on either. He goes for a sleep study with EEG on Wed for 12 hours. Hopefully that will show something??

[Darlene]

Lisa,

I am on both Keppra and Lamictal, but what may help one may harm someone else. Did he wing him off the Keppra or just had him stop automatically?

Back before I had my surgery in December of 2009, I would do the same as he is doing with the blacking out and falling. So there are others that have this happen at times. Here is forum for peripheral neuropathy, where there may be some friends to help you.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

Also, I have Sleep Apnea, he will make it through it just find his testing. All he has to do is sleep.

Hope you two had a wonderful time in Florida. That sounds so wonderful, maybe one of these days me and DH will make it that far.

My thoughts and prayers are with you two.

Darlene

[Porkette]

Hi Lisa,
I'm sorry that Dean's sz. have increased, it could be the change in med that has triggered his sz. and his body isn't used to the Lamictal yr. If I may ask why did the Dr. take Dean off the Keppra?
Neuropathy problems may also be a reason why the sz. have increased. My advice to you is when you see the Dr. on Wed. to tell the Dr. to do a DNA test to find the best med for Dean that will control his sz. Tell dean to cut back on the carbs and starch foods because that will cause more problems with the neuropathy.
The type of sz. you are explaining sounds like a atonic sz. which has happened to me in the past. I just start out staring and then bang I hit the floor. I found out that this happened to me when the drug level was to low and maybe this could be the problem also. I wish Dean and you only the best of luck and May God Bless You Both!

Sue

[Lisa14]

Hi Sue ~ The docs weaned dean off the Keppra per his request cause it was causing so much fogginess and felt very strange on it. In that sense he's doing better. But this falling and the black outs is new. Happened twice on vacation and twice since we've been home. fell again this am not sure if was seizure or neuropathy? I seen him after the fall have a staring seizure while laying on couch, now that one he kinda felt coming on.

[Porkette]

Hi Lisa,

I would call Dean's neuro right away and let him/her know what's going on. I have a feeling the Lamictal isn't strong enough for Dean's sz. and that's why he's having the drop attacks. If you can get him on vitamin B12 1000 mcg. once a day this will help calm his nerves down and reduce his sz. He won't need a prescription for the vitamin you can buy it right over the counter. If I may ask are you or Dean using a cell phone at all around the time of the sz.? If either of you are or if you are near others that are using cell phones and Dean has a sz. this may be that Dean is cell phone sensitive. I found out I have this problem and it triggers sz. for me when others around me are using their phone. All of this is do to the frequency the cell phone is using. The staring you are telling me about sounds like an absence sz. take note and see if Dean has a daydream look on his face and his pupils are dialated if they are this is an absence sz. and I've had this type of sz. for 41 yrs. Dean may want to start taking mysoline (primidone) or phenobarbital for his drop sz. I know it has helped me greatly. Here's wishing the both of you only the best of luck and May God Bless You Both!
Sue