Miracle of God Explained By Medical Science

Go figure.

Today, after literally months of trying, I spoke to Emily's neurologist regarding the reuslts of her EEG in July. Between him being on vacation, me being on vacation, and a few round of phone tag, I have finally been given an explanation as to how a child with a known seizure disorder, an MRI showing Tuberous Sclerosis-like abnormalities, and an abnormal genetic mutation in the TSC II gene can have a completely normal EEG.

The short answer: Lamictal.

The not so short answer:

Emily's EEG in July of 2004 was "very active," meaning that seizure activity and abnormal spikes were all over the damn place...in almost every region of her brain, although more were seen in her right parietal lobe than any other area. She was put on Depakote which worked for seizure control but caused all kinds or abnormal behavior. She was switched over to Lamictal shortly therafter and has basically been seizure free since (she did have one in October of 04 during the weaning off the Depakote/increasing the Lamictal period but she hasn't had one since being on the full dose of the Lamcital).

Needless to say, for her to have a completely normal EEG this time around was well, shocking...shocking in a good way of course, but shocking still the same.

So, like I said, I finally talked to the doctor today.

This is what I found out:

Lamictal is a spike-suppressing drug. Pretty much no other AED is. What this means is that if a person took say Depakote, they may not have seizures but the abnormal spikes would more than likely be present. In Emily's case, and in many cases with Lamictal, not only is there seizure control, but there is also "spike control."

Dr.C basically said that with her abnormal genetic testing and abnormal MRI, if she were ever to go off Lamictal, he was "99 % sure" that the spikes and seizures would be back.

Now, I wasn't planning on stopping her medication anyway, because it has worked wonders in the areas of mood stability and behavior. I am glad it's working for seizure control too, obviously.

For some reason though, this news just let the wind out of my sails. It's probably just knowing that this is more than likely going to be a lifelong thing for her. I have to admit, it was kind of nice thinking that she had a normal EEG "just because."

It really doesn't matter much though in the whole scheme of things. What I mean is that she is who she is and this "thing" is just a part of her. It doesn't really change anything, at least not for the immediate future.

As for the distant future...well my thoughts on that in regard to Emily is just a whole other entry.

Blah...