Neha @mishraneha1808 - anti-epileptic medicines were prescribed for Mum after she had a fit/seizure and we took her to hospital. She was diagnosed as having hyponatremia which is caused by low levels of sodium in the blood. Her sodium was below the minimum safe levels at the time of admission i.e. when she had the first seizure/fit.
NOTE: In this post, I have substituted the word [c-o-n-sultan-t] with [specialist/expert] as I was not allowed to use it is it used in everyday language.
Just for information : Hyponatremia is more common in older adults because they’re more likely to take medicines or have medical problems that put them at risk of the disorder. At the time Mum was on other medications as part of her ongoing care plan. The [specialist/expert] told us to stop using one of the meds (it was a BP lowering medication) as it would contribute to lowering the blood sodium. In our case, her having a seizure was a blessing in disguise as it meant we were able to stop using one more medication which we believed was not necessary or appropriate for Mum’s personal health condition. I stress the personal as this is very much our view.
As I recall, it was explained to us that the seizures are something that happens to some stroke survivors and its likely cause was the low sodium in our case. As she was admitted due to fits/seizures the [specialist/expert] prescribed the anti-epileptic medicine (whilst at the same time asking us to stop another medication that was already part of her ongoing post stroke care plan).
A little important aside, for information if you're interested - click here to read
Personal view - you do not have to accept or agree.
Please note and this is important - here we see a conflict between two [specialist/expert]. This may not come across very well in this post as it cannot be easily discussed or any misunderstanding can be explained, but it is important for me to mention that there have been instances where there has been a conflict (my term) between [specialist/expert], whereby one prescribes one medication (in this example, BP lowering meds) and another prescribes an anti-seizure meds at the same time asking us to stop taking the BP lowering meds. I mention this because we deal with specialists - these doctors are specialists in their field, but do not necessarily have a detailed understanding of other (often related fields) and so it is not unusual to find contradictory information/medications being given). I had previously asked for Mum to be taken off the BP meds (before the seizures) but was told that it is better to keep her on it (specialist 1). Then at a later stage specialist 2 comes along and at a stroke (no pun intended) of a pen stops it. Where is specialist 1 now? And will he put Mum back on the BP meds.
We did our due diligence and read up on the condition, likely cause, prescribed medication and importantly the effectiveness (or efficacy of the treatment), associated risk (side-effects) and concluded we would rather not use the medication as a preventative aid. This was our decision based on our knowledge and beliefs and Mum’s historical choice to avoid medicines (other than natural traditional “grandma knows best” aids), and it not a recommendation. - you should do your own research/assessment and then makes your choice.
Following this episode, whilst Mum’s body adjusted (being taken of BP meds) and being given a half teaspoon of salt in her daily fluids to help maintain sodium levels, Mum had a few more seizures which we manged by helping calm her down and following guidelines of keeping her face down etc.
Within six months of this, the seizures stopped. Her BP is fine and her sodium level remains safe and is quite healthy as at the most recent check (last week as it happens) and we continue to give her a half teaspoon of salt in her daily fluids to manage this.
All things considered Mum’s obs are amazing for someone of her age.
She seems to have become a bit dehydrated since the last check (we get her checked regularly - every 3 months) and we believe this is down to her becoming more active, burning more calories and sweating out more. So we will monitor the sodium (sweating out) and have increased her daily fluids by 120 ml or about half a mug.
Hydration - very important. Always watch out for signs and take action. Drink water or other fluids.
I hope this rather long answer helps. In summary, yes, Mum was prescribed anti-seizure meds but we never used them for reasons detailed above. This is not a recommendation, it is just what we did and what works for us.
Namaste|
