These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as
recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is
always advised to consult their own physician.
Epilepsy and Prednisone [posted
1/5/99]
Question: My 5 year-old son has severe epilepsy. He is on 3 AED as well as
Prednisone (30 mg every other day). Why do steroids work in Epilepsy if it is an
anti-inflammatory? I've been told as well that you get tolerance to steroids. What are the
long-term consequences of such a dose.
Answer: Most physicians would not use steroids for a seizure disorder per se unless meningitis, lupus or some inflammatory condition caused it. I need more information concerning the cause of his disorder.
Is Prednisone a Standard Treatment
for Epilepsy [posted 11/4/98]
Question: My 5 year-old son has severe epilepsy. He is on 3 AED as well as
Prednisone (30mg every other day). Why do steroids work in Epilepsy if it is an
anti-inflamatory? I've been told as well that you get tolerance to steroids. What are the
long-term consequence of such a dose.
Answer: Most physicians would not use steroids for a seizure disorder per se unless it was caused by meningitis, lupus or some inflammatory condition. I need more information concerning the cause of his disorder.
Epilepsy
Question: Recently, I heard about a new experimental procedure that would limit the
number, or stop seizures (grand malt) in people who suffers from epilepsy. A device of
some kind is implanted in the person’s brain which would short circuit the seizure
causing the seizure to abort. However, I am not sure I have the facts straight or correct.
If you have any ideal of what I am talking about could you please provide me with more
information or where I could learn more about this procedure?
Answer: This is very new stuff in neurosurgery and is out of my experience
league. I'd discuss it with a neurosurgeon. There are several centers performing this
surgery - fairly experimental and used only in refractory seizures. A neurologist
specializing in seizures could give you leads as well.
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