[ferrells]

I probably should have introduced myself before barging in and asking questions. I'm the father of adopted twin boys, 9 years old. They have lived with us basically their whole life. Their biological mom did a lot of crack while pregnant and who knows what else. As a result, the boys have several issues including mental retardation, ADHD and seizure disorder. Both boys have a VNS and are on depakote. Dylan also takes clonazepam. Dalton also takes Lyrica. We've been though the gamut in regards to medications. Typical triggers are oveheating asociated with physical activity and any amount of fever. Dylan seems to be doing pretty well - no seizures since last May. Dalton, however has had increased seizure activity in the last 6 months or so. They are full gran mal and last about 2 minutes. We have a wonderful neurologist that has been working with us since day 1.

Having said that - Hello and I look forward to hanging around

[Jerri in Boston]

Wow, you and your wife are extraordinary people! I have a special spot in my heart for folks that adopt - I am adopted!

God bless you for adopting twins with seizure disorder! My husband suffers from E and when he has a bad streak, it's very tough and stressful for me.

I cannot believe that a mother would ever harm her unborn child(ren)! Babies have such struggles without adding more to their precious little lives!

I wish you and your wife so much happiness, not too many struggles and lots of patience and love for your little boys!

Jerri

[Darlene]

ferrells,

Hello and welcome to NT. Looks as though you have your hands full. It is ones like you and your wife I love seeing in our world today.

You will find a good number of friends here that listen and help as they can.

I myself have epilepsy, for 40 years, mainly only petit-mal. Unable to be able to go without controlling them.

Please given Dylan and Dalton a graet big for me.

May God be with you.

Darlene

[Porkette]

Hi ferrells,
Welcome to NT! You and your wife are two wonderful people adopting the boys. May God Bless You both! I have worked with kids that are ADHD, and that are mentally retarded do to medical problems at birth. I work in public school in special education. I've had petit mal, complex partial and simple partial seizures for 36 yrs. now. I also had 2 brain surgeries to help reduce the seizures. You might find that Dalton has more seizures at certain times of the yr. this is also known as seasonal seizures. I always have more seizures in the fall and winter than in the spring and summer. Hot water will often trigger a seizure for me but the 3 biggest things that trigger seizures are stress, lack of sleep, and nutra sweet (aspartame). You might want to try and put the boys on the ketogenic diet to help stop the seizures. It was a great help for me. Also if the boys are going through puberty that can be a hard time because the hormones are changing in the body which can cause seizures. Everyone here is a great help I wish you and the family only the best and May God Bless All of You!

Sue