Off-Topic Forum

I loved this feature of the old board; it added clarity on the main board and humour OTB
Questions (related or otherwise) are often asked within a thread by patients, these can be overlooked if not for others changing the subject line to draw attention to the post. One thread could efficiently accommodate multiple concerns.
 It seems to me this was not a frivolous feature, but one that enhanced communication -a worthy goal on a cancer board.

 (Posting this here to avoid crowding the main board, but I see it primarily as a main board concern.)

Hey John,

I just read your profile.  I really didn't know that you have been through much.  Sure glad you are here!

My son recently took a bad fall at work and has suffered his second subdural hematoma.  Luckly this time did not require surgery, but his brain injury is more severe; cumualtive damage to left frontal lobe.  We are happily getting him back up to speed without so much thrapy this time and it looks like he will be able to return to his normal life. 

He was originally give Dilantin for the first head trauma.  That was 10 years ago for the subdural hematoma which was evacuated; craniotomy, coma, whole 9 yards; he took the Dilantin with no ill effects for 4 years and was given the green light to discontinue it..  His latest anti-seizure med was Keppra.  He kind of languished for 8 days making no real progress cognitively even though the CT scans showed that the trauma was resolving.  No EEG or MRI was ordered.  I asked for them to put him on Dilantin from the beginning because I knew that he had no problems with it before, but what do I know?  They liked Keppra better, no blood serum levels to check, less bad for the liver, etc.

At day 9 after the injury, he became very disoriented, could not follow simple commands, and was speaking gibberish (aphasia).  It was horrible.  Neurosurgery had been following his case and they were wringing their hands, psychiatry requested an EEG, neurosurgery said NOPE, so Psychiatry called in Neurology who said that he was having non-convulsive seizures and ordered an EEG.  The EEG confirmed this and low and behold he was given IV Dilantin and a bunch of  IV B vitamins (Rally Pack).  He was coherent but sleepy in 4 hours. 

Either he is in the 1% of people who have severe adverse reactions to Keppra or it did not control the seizure activity.  (I still question why an EEG wasn't done as soon as possible.)  I noticed in your PatNet that your seizures became worse on Keppra.  Are you still taking it?  Do you have any 'insider info' about the medication.  The folks at the hospital were a little mute about it...I guess I had pitched a bit of a fit early on about the Dilantin.

I would appreciate opinions or findings on this medication.

Many thanks, K.

n/t

so my brain is working but mayhap too much.  I only want to show one pic-a-chure not the whole thing.... (only six) but still)  I shall try again another time.  Don't worry I won't drive you all totally insane, but I am like a bear with a sore backside or a mean dog (is there such a thing?) with a bone to gnaw on.