<p>Anything can trigger such conditions.</p>
<p>I was healthy prior to becoming really sick. Then i got the flu and everything went downward from there.</p>
<p>Likewise, i have had members of my family be very healthy than turn around and develop something that was really hard to control. Thankfully, said family member is now in control with the help of medicationsn but still. It was scary.</p>
<p>Aspies are more prone to developing various disorders than other people.</p>
<p>Ponygirl - I’ll be rooting for you as you come off the meds! Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>No “Episode 4” yet, but I’m not sure if yesterday’s stimulation with the EEG “let off steam” delaying it (according to the previous cycle) or if they really are unpredictable. Time will tell.</p>
<p>Just thought I’d post a final conclusion in case anyone finds this thread via searches later on (or is simply curious).</p>
<p>My guy does have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and has probably had it for a bit longer than any of us realized - just his symptoms before the last month were mild. Apparently he’d been having micro blackouts for quite some time and just thought they were normal (we didn’t see them). He related not seeing things, then just having them appear as if showing up on a computer screen - things like cars and mailboxes. I’m kind of glad I heard about that after the fact - not from a car accident.</p>
<p>His episodes were not one giant seizure, but rather a cluster of multiple smaller seizures - thus - he didn’t lose consciousness between them. It is rare that these go on for as long as his did. He also has generalized seizures - involving both hemispheres of his brain rather than just one section. His EEG was rather definitive (we were told - I wouldn’t be able to read it).</p>
<p>He is on medication now (and not driving as per common sense + state law) and we’ll see if it works for him. If not, it’ll be adjusted.</p>
<p>I REALLY appreciate thoughts here and Wellspan Neurology in York - especially the latter for getting us in so quickly even to the point of meeting with us after hours this past Monday. While epilepsy, itself, isn’t life threatening, these episodes sure were scary to those of us who saw them. Plus, we now know more of what we are looking at and dealing with and all of us are safer (from the effects, not the epilepsy) with the knowledge.</p>
<p>I kind of wish we could take the results to the first 911 responder who took one look at my guy and said, “not seizures” (because he was still conscious) then rather dismissed him, but, what’s the point? Otherwise, I’m pleased with it all. Granted, we weren’t sure at first what was going on, but appointments were sped up until we got our answers and we’re on the road to controlling it all (hopefully).</p>
<p>Thanks to all who offered private messages - especially to all who suggested not to overlook the possibility of epilepsy just because the first guys said it couldn’t be that. Then too, thanks to all who have relayed their experiences with epilepsy. I don’t wish it on anyone, but I’m glad there are those who have been there, done that, and willing to help a newbie.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update, Creekland. So glad that you have gotten answers. Hopefully this will be something that can be controlled by medication and your son can continue on with his life as planned. Best to you both. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your son.</p>
<p>So glad you got a clear diagnosis and are on a course of threatment. Good news.</p>
<p>Oh good, at least now you know whats going on. The not knowing can kill ya. :)</p>
<p>You may want to consider buying him a medical alert bracelet and letting him get used to wearing it before you send him off to college in the fall.</p>
<p>I was thinking about you–thanks for updating! What a relief to get a clear explanation and caring treatment. Wishing your S all the best. {{{mom hug}}}</p>
<p>Appreciate the update, I was thinking about you and your family. A clear diagnosis and good treatment can be so helpful. Good luck as you all move forward!</p>
<p>Thank goodness you were able to pursue it to a diagnosis and hopefully effective treatment that will allow everyone to have a better understanding of what you’re dealing with and what the options are. Hopefully at least the fear of the unknown is at least greatly reduced and now you have pathways to explore. Thanks for updating so others can benefit from your journey.</p>
<p>Absolutely delighted you got your answers, now you can get on with the treatment/control of it. I grew up with an epileptic brother. Once meds were in place it was rare for him to have a seizure. He’s 60 now and probably hasn’t had an episode in over 30 years.</p>
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<p>This is my youngest son. He’s just a sophomore in high school right now. His older brother is heading off to college in August. Pending how things work out over the next few months, we will consider a bracelet though. I’m glad we have a couple of years at home before he leaves for college. I’m trusting this won’t interfere with college as he’s certainly bright enough to go.</p>
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<p>How true! I think I’ve had MY stress test.</p>
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<p>I hope he’s like this too. I know it’s not necessarily going to be the case, but hope is a wonderful thing. (And I’m praying for the mom whose D is having breakthrough seizures + I appreciate knowing ALL the possibilities, so thanks for the pm to know to watch for them.)</p>
<p>Thank you for updating and I am so glad you now have an answer. As I mentioned before, my sister-in-law has a form of Epilepsy/seizure disorder and got her meds in place rather quickly (tried 2 different ones) and hasn’t had an episode in years. </p>
<p>As I’m sure you already know, she does avoid any situation that may have bright flashing lights (certain movies, concerts, plays) but other than that, she lives a completely normal life, which includes driving.</p>
<p>Take care.</p>
<p>Thank you for the update and whew! Glad an underlying problem was ferreted out with this round of events! Glad you have more time at home with this son so you all can learn the ropes before he ventures off to college.</p>
<p>Creekland, I appreciate the update. I’ve thought often of your son over the past couple of weeks. I would have been terrified and like someone said, sometimes the Not Knowing can be the worst part.</p>
<p>What happens from this point? I know you said he is on medication, so I guess it is to get the medication at the right level for him. Will there be a point that he can drive again? I have no idea about the laws re: epilepsy and driving.</p>
<p>Hugs to you and your S!</p>
<p>^^^ He is starting on medication that needs to be increased over the next three weeks (possibly more) to see if it works for him. It doesn’t work for everyone, so only time will tell. If it appears to be working, then he’ll have another EEG (sleep deprived) to further tell if it appears to be working. If that agrees, then he needs to go 6 months without a seizure, then his neurologist will sign off that he can drive again.</p>
<p>If the medicine doesn’t work, then there are other choices to try to see if one of those will work. They are supposedly better at working, but come with more potential side effects. We opted to try the safer option first to see if it will work.</p>
<p>Supposedly nothing else is off the table as long as he does it with a buddy. We scuba dive and even that was ok’d (by summer) as long as he’s with an adult (which he always is). For safety purposes, we’ll also stick to more shallow dives to not have issues with the bends in the event that we’d need a quick trip to the surface. Epilepsy, itself, we’re told is not life threatening. One just has to watch out that one doesn’t get hurt from the effects of a seizure or brief loss of consciousness while doing something else. Driving is off the table because he would be in charge of a vehicle and it’s difficult for a passenger to take over if necessary. A split second CAN make a difference. Operating any large or potentially dangerous equipment is off the table - as are baths or swimming alone. Common sense needs to prevail. If he were to continue having episodes that are 45 minutes to one hour in length, chances are we won’t go scuba diving either, but if he appears to be getting things under control, I’m ok with it.</p>
<p>The medicine will hopefully prevent the seizures - making life thereafter akin to normal. We just have to find which medicine works and at what dosage. Some folks have a tough time with this part. I’m hopeful that he won’t. Time will tell. We’ll be there for him no matter what. I’m actually more worried about depression than anything else, but we’re working on keeping things positive and he appears to be starting to accept his future - even joking about it some. Still, for a 16 year old to get a lifelong diagnosis, need meds that might not work, lose driving privileges… it is a tough time for him. Aspies are known for not showing emotion (and he doesn’t), but he came close to crying once…</p>
<p>Poor guy!</p>
<p>Hey! At least he can still do those things 
The bright side of it all is that it can be controlled. Things will eventually level out once the medication level is found that can prevent it.</p>
<p>It is good that you found it now and that he can get used to dealing with it (after all younger people adapt better than older ones).</p>
<p>As a fellow Aspie, I had a major life change about a year ago when I had to eliminate all gluten foods and tomatos from my diet. I was misserable for a while (a couple of months) but once I figured out that it was something i could control, it made me feel better.</p>
<p>Creekland, as mentioned in post #68, a medical ID of some sort would be a good idea. This company offers some sporty options that you should consider (no I don’t work for them, I just like their products and customer service).
[Road</a> ID® USA’s #1 Source for Runners ID, Cycling ID & Medical ID Tags](<a href=“http://www.roadID.com%5DRoad”>http://www.roadID.com)</p>
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