Posted by medlib on October 10, 2000, at 2:38:37
In reply to Re: Subsyndromal Epilepsy, posted by dove on October 9, 2000, at 13:50:13
Dove--
This test is one doc's way of eliciting possibly connected symptoms; it doesn't have a validated score range like the Ham-D depression test, for example. The author just suggests that a high score (3) on a single item or a number of positive responses should raise the index of suspicion for an epilepsy dx. What I found particularly interesting about this test is the explanation that nearly all the drugs we depressives rely on are proconvulsant--that is, they *raise* the risk of seizure/epileptic symptoms.
My son has epilepsy--tonic-clonic seizures with aura; he has never had an abnormal EEG or MRI, no discernable epileptic foci, etc. He's been on Tegretol 1200 mg/day for over 17 years and hasn't had a seizure in 12 years; he still has auras, occasionally, if he forgets a med dose. (BTW, during that time he's earned a BS in Math and an MSIS--both 4.0--and worked full-time. Another unwarranted stereotype bites the dust.) Tegretol knocked him out, too, to start with. He describes his short-term memory as "Swiss cheese," largely due to Tegretol, but he's obviously learned to compensate.
There are many other anticonvulsant drugs available now which are less sedating (like Depakote, Neurontin, Lamictal, etc.)--it's a matter of individual fit and tolerating initial side effects--rather like AD's. My view on Rx's for any variety of epilepsy is that one should take them only if they're needed, and then as little as needed, to prevent intolerable symptoms. Unusual odors alone, even if frequent, wouldn't fall in that class, for me. But, if I'd scored positive on this test, I'd sure think twice about high doses of any psych med other than anticonvulsants.
Dove, have you tried any of the other anticonvulsants? Has Neurontin or anything else you've tried helped your migraines? Have you seen the Medscape migraine tx update article? (I have tx-resistant double dysthmia and severe migraines, but not epilepsy.)
Well wishes--medlib
> The Subsyndromal Epilepsy test: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/isse.html
>
> What kind of score on that test would suggest Subsyndromal Epilepsy?
>
> I have "aroma/odor" episodes, with no probable or physical source. I was dxed with epilepsy long ago, but every diagnostic test has been negative, including full neuro work-up with various EEG's and MRI's. I even took Tegretol for a while, which turned me into a zombie.
>
> On the other hand, I do have "Classical Migraines" and am dxed with bipolar. And I have been taking Neurontin for the last couple months. Which is doing *something*, I'm just not sure what exactly that *something* is. I do feel different, and not the stable kind of different, and not the angry kind, just "off".
>
> I scored 100 points on the "Thought and word interruptions" little box, my lowest single category score is 33. Anyone else want to try the test for curiosity's sake?
>
> Question for Greg: Do you *only* experience the aroma while taking AD's? Have you ever noticed it without the meds?
>
> ~dove
poster:medlib
thread:869
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20000813/msgs/913.html