rocktobergirl - ZONEGRAN,KEPPRA (LEVETIRACETAM),DILANTIN

rocktobergirl 49 Female

Location: FORT PIERCE, FL USA

My Bio

I''m doing this because it''s my husband who has become epileptic.
He is ashamed & angry...he was knocked unconscious by a tree branch in March 2006 and started having grand mal seizures about 6 months later.
He won''t talk to anyone about it, so it''s up to me.
He was a workaholic, a big, stong guy that now can''t even drive.
He wrecked his truck in ''07 while working, was fired and hasn''t worked since.
Depressin soon set in, and since he has only done heavy machinery/driving work, no-one would hire him.
We fought, trying to get him on Medicaid, but didn''t qualify, so we went for disability.
Was turned down x2, then got a lawyer, who helped him get approved...but he STILL has to wait until August 2010 for medical benefits!
Honestly, the way things are going...I''m afraid something horrible will happen before then.
Every time he seizes, he falls hard, hits his head again & again...and I''m helpless.
This prevents ME from working, since he has to be watched constantly...I''m scared to leave & go grocery shopping anymore.
He won''t go with me anywhere, because he''s afraid he''ll publicly embarass himself.
This last one he had a premonition that included severe panic & dizziness. It was terrible to watch, but if he has that again, at least I can try to get him to a safe place.
I''ve turned here, found through Facebook, since no MD will give us insight/answers, and seizures are more & more frequent these days.
I''m hoping I can learn things and go to the next MD more informed.
It''s hard living like this, waiting for the next seizure to come.

My Friends

Health Diaries

You have not yet posted or commented.

rocktobergirl's Health Diary

View all Health Diary entries

Public Health Profile


My 51-year-old husband has Post-traumatic epilepsy	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Had first seizure since starting new med & taking exactly as prescribed. Severe panic attacks. Memory loss. Depression.

Diagnosed 4 years ago


My 51-year-old husband has Generalized convulsive epilepsy	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good



Diagnosed 4 years ago


My 51-year-old husband takes ZONEGRAN	Overall Satisfaction

Overall satisfaction:	very low	very high
This medication worked:	not at all	very well
The side effects were:	very mild	very severe

Had 1st seizure while on this med last wk. Also gives severe panic attacks, and can't tolerate heat at all on this med...(we live in Florida...)

Started: 07/28/2009 End date not specified		Recommend: NO


My 51-year-old husband takes KEPPRA (LEVETIRACETAM)	Overall Satisfaction

Overall satisfaction:	very low	very high
This medication worked:	not at all	very well
The side effects were:	very mild	very severe

Side effects included drowsiness, decreased mental alertness & drooling. It controlled seizures well when taken correctly, but VERY expensive.

Started: 06/01/2008 Ended: 07/28/2009		Recommend: YES


My 51-year-old husband takes DILANTIN	Overall Satisfaction

Overall satisfaction:	very low	very high
This medication worked:	not at all	very well
The side effects were:	very mild	very severe

It's metabolized through the liver, so it had to be stopped due to Hepatitis over 20 yrs ago. (By recommendation of ER MD)

Started: 09/28/2007 Ended: 06/01/2008		Recommend: YES


My 51-year-old husband has the symptom of Memory loss	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Forgets whether or not he ate, what day it is, checkbook a mess. Name it.

Started: 09/28/2007 End date not specified


My 51-year-old husband has the symptom of Panic attack	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Get horrible attacks since starting on Zonegran. Last attack preceded my worst grand-mal yet.

Started: 07/28/2009 End date not specified


My 51-year-old husband has the symptom of Dizziness	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Preceded my worst grand-mal. Deep, severe dizziness accompanied by the worst adrenaline rush/panic.

Started: 10/14/2009 End date not specified


My 51-year-old husband has the symptom of Persistent headache	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Don't know if it's from the original head injury, but it feels as though entire head is bruised...hurts to touch. Pain gets pretty severe w/nausea after a seizure.

Started: 09/28/2007 End date not specified


My 51-year-old husband has the symptom of Mental depression	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Started getting real depressed after being fired from job...had a seizure while driving & totaled truck.

Started: 09/28/2007 End date not specified


My 51-year-old husband has the symptom of Insomnia	Currently Feeling

My 51-year-old husband is feeling:	not well at all	very good

Unless something is taken to immediately knock him out, my husband sleeps only 10-20 minutes @ a time 2-3 times a night. I know because I have insomnia too.

Start date not specified End date not specified


My 51-year-old husband has an allergy to Keflex	Allergic Reaction

Allergic reaction:	not that severe	very severe

500 mg is all it took to be hospitalized a week and shut down liver.

Onset date not specified Recovery date not specified