Friday, October 24, 2008

Seizures

I have known for several months that there is strong possibility that Luke is having seizures. In either March or May (I can't remember) of this year, Luke was admitted to the hospital because he was having breathing problems. During his hospital stay someone came an did an EEG. An EEG records brain activity. The results were "abnormal". Of course, they could not say that he was having seizure, but they speculated as a result of all provided data. Luke does not have typical seizures. He does not shake. He does have moments where he appears to completely space out. He doesn't breath. He doesn't even move. After several seconds it passes and he goes back to acting normal. He also has times where he "postures". He is in a sitting position. His arms are bent and stiff. His hands are also stiff. His eye are looking up at different points, so it appears that he has a lazy eye. He does not breath. Sometimes he makes strange noises. These moments also pass quickly.
He is taking a small dose of Kepra two times a day to control the seizures. I will admit that when he misses a dose, his strange behavior is even more strange than when he is taking his meds regularly. Sometimes I am not sure if the strange behavior is seizure activity or if it is just strange behavior. It is hard to tell the difference.
The strange behavior usually appears at a consistent time every day. It usually occurs after he has had a busy day. Around the time I pick him up in the afternoon (4:00pm), he begins to act overstimulated. He continues this pattern well into the evening. Sometimes he takes an early evening nap. The behaviors usually improve after that point. Sometimes, they don't improve. I can't wrap my mind around the reason that he acts certains ways. I guess we will just give it time. Answers will come.

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