Black Magic, Woodoo, Superstition, Exorcism ....

[Moonrakers]

I am no expert on epilepsy. But I seem to recall reading somewhere that two common triggers are loud music or flashing lights. Lucky for everyone there is neither in Thailand!

I used to think the same until I did some research. Flashing lights/strobes are a factor yes although in the minority, more common triggers are things such as tiredness and stress.

[Moonrakers]

My son s disabled with Cerebral Palsy, Blindness and has Epilepsy. He is 5 yo now and his seizures are well controlled with Epilim (Sodium Valproate). He has a seizure for 3 minutes every month or so at the most but at the satrt identifying the correct medication to suit him best was more of an issue and we had to try several types before the Epilim was introduced and had a positive effect. In thailand we found people are more ignorant about disability in general but the medicines are readily available over there as long as you find the right doctor to identify which one for your child. Always find the best Paediatric Consultant Neurologist to monitor your child and prescribe the right medicines. The equivalent cost through Rajavej hospital pharmacy counter was 500baht for 7 day supply but that was for a Thai local brand of Sodium valproate. I don't know how much the original brand costs.

Ever so sorry to hear that, but thanks also for sharing as it really helps to put things into perspective for me.

The paediatric hospital we are using appear to be on the ball, and despite finding nothing on the first scan they vowed to continue until they reach a diagnosis. I was previously using the camillian and after one scan they found nothing and then said that nothing was wrong, not being clued up on these matters I didn't know myself that a negative scan result was not a definitive answer.

I hope that you have the best possible outcome for your son.

[jay-uk]

My son's triggers for a seizure are if he is too alert and active, when he has taken less medicine than he should, high temperature 38c+ from colds or infections and/or if he is finding something irratating such as hay fever or dust in his eyes things like that. He's never had a fit so far from bright lights but we have heard some people are more sensitive than others to flashing lights and strobes etc... When my son had CT-Scans you could see calclification spots within the brain that were ultimately blocking signals and causing his eplileptic episodes. Sometime it is good under then consulation of the neurosurgeons and Neurologists to view scans to see where the underlying problems are. Again good Neurologists will share this with you so that you can understand the condition better.

[bergen]

My son s disabled with Cerebral Palsy, Blindness and has Epilepsy. He is 5 yo now and his seizures are well controlled with Epilim (Sodium Valproate). He has a seizure for 3 minutes every month or so at the most but at the satrt identifying the correct medication to suit him best was more of an issue and we had to try several types before the Epilim was introduced and had a positive effect. In thailand we found people are more ignorant about disability in general but the medicines are readily available over there as long as you find the right doctor to identify which one for your child. Always find the best Paediatric Consultant Neurologist to monitor your child and prescribe the right medicines. The equivalent cost through Rajavej hospital pharmacy counter was 500baht for 7 day supply but that was for a Thai local brand of Sodium valproate. I don't know how much the original brand costs.

Sorry to hear about your son Jay!

I wish all of you with disabled kids the very best for the future

[Moonrakers]

We have found high fever to be another common trigger, in fact at first we thought (As told) that fever was the only cause and that epilepsy was not an issue. It was only when the attacks started becoming more random (Without fever) that the possibility of epilepsy was raised.

Edited June 28, 2008 by globalj

[JanAndersLarsson]

We have found high fever to be another common trigger, in fact at first we thought (As told) that fever was the only cause and that epilepsy was not an issue. It was only when the attacks started becoming more random (Without fever) that the possibility of epilepsy was raised.

Well. I will not say good luck but epilepsy is very common in Thailand and I think your child has a good chance to be cured or at least be able to live a normal life with the correct medication. With proper medication and care it is just a problem. I guess that migraine is worse.

[Moonrakers]

We have found high fever to be another common trigger, in fact at first we thought (As told) that fever was the only cause and that epilepsy was not an issue. It was only when the attacks started becoming more random (Without fever) that the possibility of epilepsy was raised.

Well. I will not say good luck but epilepsy is very common in Thailand and I think your child has a good chance to be cured or at least be able to live a normal life with the correct medication. With proper medication and care it is just a problem. I guess that migraine is worse.

Agreed and thanks.

I have chatted with people on other forums who have experience, either as sufferers or parents/family members of sufferers and the general consencus is that the attacks are actually quite superficial and likely more worrying to my wife and I as it is to our daughter, also that sufferers of a very young age are very likely to make a full recovery and live a perfectly normal life. Of course we need to be extra vigilant, espceially at times like when we take her swimming (Which she loves), for example but asides from that I feel very re-assured about her future.

Since you mention Migraine my wife does suffer from, after doing (googly) research on it and witnessing my wife having an attack, I'd agree that it could well be worse than epilepsy (Depending on the severity of course)

[JanAndersLarsson]

We have found high fever to be another common trigger, in fact at first we thought (As told) that fever was the only cause and that epilepsy was not an issue. It was only when the attacks started becoming more random (Without fever) that the possibility of epilepsy was raised.

Well. I will not say good luck but epilepsy is very common in Thailand and I think your child has a good chance to be cured or at least be able to live a normal life with the correct medication. With proper medication and care it is just a problem. I guess that migraine is worse.

Agreed and thanks.

I have chatted with people on other forums who have experience, either as sufferers or parents/family members of sufferers and the general consencus is that the attacks are actually quite superficial and likely more worrying to my wife and I as it is to our daughter, also that sufferers of a very young age are very likely to make a full recovery and live a perfectly normal life. Of course we need to be extra vigilant, espceially at times like when we take her swimming (Which she loves), for example but asides from that I feel very re-assured about her future.

Since you mention Migraine my wife does suffer from, after doing (googly) research on it and witnessing my wife having an attack, I'd agree that it could well be worse than epilepsy (Depending on the severity of course)

I would say you have a chance to come much closer to your son than most other parents do. That is a big plus.

[Moonrakers]

Can't disagree with that.

And on a side note my wife's migraine problem bought us closer a little more, as the fact that I bothered to look it up and can now offer advice an empathy means the world to her.

P.S. Should any migraine sufferers be reading, should you feel a migraine coming on then drink a strong coffee (Caffeine)..... IT WORKS.

[jay-uk]

My son s disabled with Cerebral Palsy, Blindness and has Epilepsy. He is 5 yo now and his seizures are well controlled with Epilim (Sodium Valproate). He has a seizure for 3 minutes every month or so at the most but at the satrt identifying the correct medication to suit him best was more of an issue and we had to try several types before the Epilim was introduced and had a positive effect. In thailand we found people are more ignorant about disability in general but the medicines are readily available over there as long as you find the right doctor to identify which one for your child. Always find the best Paediatric Consultant Neurologist to monitor your child and prescribe the right medicines. The equivalent cost through Rajavej hospital pharmacy counter was 500baht for 7 day supply but that was for a Thai local brand of Sodium valproate. I don't know how much the original brand costs.

Sorry to hear about your son Jay!

I wish all of you with disabled kids the very best for the future

Thank you for your note Bergen. My wife and I have come to terms now with our son's illness after 5 years. At the start we were devestated but as times goes on you start to manage much better.

[BigC]

Well !

I guess my wife who is very superstitious is very suspecious about her daughter in law (khmer) from Surin. They are no friends.

I was with my wife and her family about ten years ago to see an exorcist. I say; brrr.... It was no fun.

So Leffe Jonsson (right ?); better to use western medicine if you know what it is all about. Since my wife listened to her doctor and takes her medicine every now day she has no problems. But back in the year of 2000. I guess I like her very much because I didn't throw her away.

i not believe in it. but they have special events at temples in Koh samui and imagine around thailannd where they have 1 day dedicated to taking out the magic. people start to have fits and stuff. normally people with Kamen tattoos start to shake. me i was annoyed because the monk through water all over my camera but suppose thats some sorte of Karma

think if u beleive inn all that then u have been here tooo lonng

Edited May 24, 2010 by BigC