Diagnosis for my 10 year old

By John Crowley Latest Activity January 3, 2012 at 4:28 pm Views 723 Replies 3

John Crowley

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my entire extended family was gathered. We were having a great time visiting and laughing together. My 10 year old son was sitting in a big overstuffed chair and had fallen asleep.

I'm not sure what woke him, but when he sat up he was having a seizure. He was conscious, but his eyes were blinking rapidly, he couldn't speak, and he couldn't control his body. After the seizure ended, he had some limited paralysis of the right side of his face. Within about 10 minutes or so, he was completely back to normal.

It was really frightening. We didn't really know anything about seizures or epilepsy or anything like that. My brother-in-law who is an ENT doctor was there. He was definitely concerned but not panicked. He simply recommended that we get in to see a specialist when we returned home.

It took a month to get into see a neurologist. But last week we finally had our appointment. The neurologist was great. She listened carefully to us and then ordered an EEG. After the EEG, she met with us and gave us the diagnosis of benign Rolandic Epilepsy. She explained that the condition was not serious and that essentially all children with this diagnosis outgrow the condition by 13 to 15 years old.

She recommended that we simply monitor our son for now. No medication. However, she did recommend a diet that is low in sugar and carbs, high in protein and fat.

I guess I'm writing here today to see what you think of the doctor's direction and see if any of you have any insights about this diagnosis and treatment (low-carb diet).

(If I look familiar to anyone, it may be because I am part of the team that built the original Connect site that is Diabetic Connect. My oldest son has type 1 diabetes. I am part of the team that helps to manage all the Connect sites.)

  • Report Report as inappropriate
  • Share
    Email Email
    Print Print Twitter Twitter
    Facebook Facebook

Replies (3 replies)

Add your reply Reply Down
  • val_u
    val_u February 17, 2012 at 7:52 pm   
    I like this Report as inappropriate

    I can tell you that right now, I'm following the same kind of diet. When I told my neurologist what does he think … because me starting this diet was not upon his suggestion … just upon my own … he said that it doesn't matter … I told him that I lost 50 pounds with the diet and he was content, but not because it had anything to do with the epilepsy … only because it had to do with better health for me. PS> Check out my Profile, that sounds a little like what happens to me .. except I don't get paralysis.

    Reply reply
  • riverkings
    riverkings January 4, 2012 at 10:50 pm   
    I like this Report as inappropriate

    It sounds like a modified atkins diet. I do know a few people that after using the ketogenic diet instead of going back to normal eating went over to a modified atkins diet with good success. I found with my daughter that after being on the keto diet i had to really watch her sugar intake, a little would be fine but a full piece of cake or a full bowl of ice cream and I could guarantee a seizure within 30 min. I really like the fact that she is trying to control things with diet first rather than throw him on meds immediately. Just curious- who is your neurologist?

    Reply reply
  • John Crowley
    John Crowley January 5, 2012 at 11:07 am   
    I like this Report as inappropriate

    Lani,
    Thank you so much for your reply. We saw Dr. Barkan at Primary Childrens. She was great. My son has only had two seizures, but the diet does seem to be helping in other ways (he has some significant developmental delays).

    I really appreciate your input.
    John

    Reply reply