a new understanding of epilepsy
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2014 7:46 pm
I recently had the good fortune of an informal chat with a neurologist (to people) about epilepsy. He was most intrigued with my experience with canine-epilepsy and those drugs we are using on our dogs.
I asked a few questions about prolonged post ictal behaviour (on a thought along the lines of post fit trauma/concussion). He quickly allayed that theory (short of actual trauma from falling/head banging etc) but led me into another aspect of the disease…
Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE).
Having briefly discussed this component of the disease with the neurologist and reading up a bit more I have come to a crossroad in thoughts: Share it or not?
1) This is a real component of epilepsy being treated in humans (and researched on canines) but it requires time, money & equipment to diagnose it for treatment.
2) Most of our dogs are already so heavily treated with barbiturates and benzodiazepines – these being the primary drugs to correct NCSE…*
Sometimes when I watch Spencer’s behaviour I wonder just what is going on in his mind.
Recently Colleen posted an article about the brain stethoscope with a link to the brainwave noises that occurr before, during and after the fit. Listening to the post ictal brainwave noises all I could imagine was Triffids wandering destructively around inside Spencer’s brain. Some days Spencer is so bright, alert, coordinated and smart, it is like there is nothing wrong with him. Other days (days on end) he is absent, vague dreamy, has lost his social skills, can’t eat & drink properly, and is clearly not himself – even to the unfamiliar observer...* (not enough drugs? Too much of the drugs?)
NCSE has been recognised in case studies from the late 1800’s but was notably diagnosed by an astute physician who was called to assess a couple of people who had been admitted to hospital with ‘severe depression’ and ‘acute psychotic behaviour’ which had led to their complete failure to function in society. After several months of failed conventional treatment they were ‘diagnosed’ and treated with barbiturates and benzo's, and within days were recovering to normal social functioning. Other case studies include the use of alternative anti-epileptic medication to what was already being used, - but aren’t many of us there now?!
This definition of NCSE is very inclusive: “[It] is practically diagnosed as an enduring epileptic condition in which continuous or recurrent electrographic seizure activity is responsible for diverse clinical symptoms including altered metal state, behavioural and perception abnormalities like auras, vegetative disturbances or reduced or altered consciousness, but without major convulsive movementsâ€.
(http://www.neurologyindia.com/article.a ... ast=Murthy)
Spencer has shown much of the above behaviour on many occasions so I wonder if his convulsions had ceased but his brain was still invaded by Triffids causing him so much dysfunction. I don’t think I will ever know.
NCSE diagnosis is confirmed by electroencephalography (EEG). Treatment is administration of barbiturates and benzo’s (or alternative anti-epileptic medicines).
So.., there are some brief facts for a new understanding on epilepsy. I cannot recommend or advise anything but bring this information to you in the hope that you might better consider your dogs when they are ‘not quite right’. If you have the resources to have your dogs investigated, I encourage you to do so (and envy you). At the least, discussion with your vet might help with an improved outcome.
I don’t have the money or access to EEG. And Spencer is already on the full gamut of medicine - we just top it all up after a grand mal. I do however look upon him more favourably when he is not right and pray it is not Triffids wandering through his brain.
Good health to your dogs. My prayers go out to all of you.
Sincerely,
Trevor & Spencer.
Grateful for the good days, weeks (months).
I asked a few questions about prolonged post ictal behaviour (on a thought along the lines of post fit trauma/concussion). He quickly allayed that theory (short of actual trauma from falling/head banging etc) but led me into another aspect of the disease…
Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE).
Having briefly discussed this component of the disease with the neurologist and reading up a bit more I have come to a crossroad in thoughts: Share it or not?
1) This is a real component of epilepsy being treated in humans (and researched on canines) but it requires time, money & equipment to diagnose it for treatment.
2) Most of our dogs are already so heavily treated with barbiturates and benzodiazepines – these being the primary drugs to correct NCSE…*
Sometimes when I watch Spencer’s behaviour I wonder just what is going on in his mind.
Recently Colleen posted an article about the brain stethoscope with a link to the brainwave noises that occurr before, during and after the fit. Listening to the post ictal brainwave noises all I could imagine was Triffids wandering destructively around inside Spencer’s brain. Some days Spencer is so bright, alert, coordinated and smart, it is like there is nothing wrong with him. Other days (days on end) he is absent, vague dreamy, has lost his social skills, can’t eat & drink properly, and is clearly not himself – even to the unfamiliar observer...* (not enough drugs? Too much of the drugs?)
NCSE has been recognised in case studies from the late 1800’s but was notably diagnosed by an astute physician who was called to assess a couple of people who had been admitted to hospital with ‘severe depression’ and ‘acute psychotic behaviour’ which had led to their complete failure to function in society. After several months of failed conventional treatment they were ‘diagnosed’ and treated with barbiturates and benzo's, and within days were recovering to normal social functioning. Other case studies include the use of alternative anti-epileptic medication to what was already being used, - but aren’t many of us there now?!
This definition of NCSE is very inclusive: “[It] is practically diagnosed as an enduring epileptic condition in which continuous or recurrent electrographic seizure activity is responsible for diverse clinical symptoms including altered metal state, behavioural and perception abnormalities like auras, vegetative disturbances or reduced or altered consciousness, but without major convulsive movementsâ€.
(http://www.neurologyindia.com/article.a ... ast=Murthy)
Spencer has shown much of the above behaviour on many occasions so I wonder if his convulsions had ceased but his brain was still invaded by Triffids causing him so much dysfunction. I don’t think I will ever know.
NCSE diagnosis is confirmed by electroencephalography (EEG). Treatment is administration of barbiturates and benzo’s (or alternative anti-epileptic medicines).
So.., there are some brief facts for a new understanding on epilepsy. I cannot recommend or advise anything but bring this information to you in the hope that you might better consider your dogs when they are ‘not quite right’. If you have the resources to have your dogs investigated, I encourage you to do so (and envy you). At the least, discussion with your vet might help with an improved outcome.
I don’t have the money or access to EEG. And Spencer is already on the full gamut of medicine - we just top it all up after a grand mal. I do however look upon him more favourably when he is not right and pray it is not Triffids wandering through his brain.
Good health to your dogs. My prayers go out to all of you.
Sincerely,
Trevor & Spencer.
Grateful for the good days, weeks (months).
Epilepsy on it's own can be very expensive with all the meds and tests. But in spite of it, I think it's safe to say we wouldn't trade them for the world. Plus I'd probably just spend the money on stupid stuff like another life size zombie or something for Halloween!