laurarichardson said:

gingerwildwood said:

I have to agree. From the moment I heard about the plane incident I thought it was a seizure. My question was wither the seizure was brought on by the drugs he was taking or the withdraw from the drugs he was taking.

poor dear.

Do you think he was using pain pills when he was a child? Not sure why people cannot believe he a seizure issue long before pain pills and I have been wondering if the use of pain meds may not have started because of migrain headaches and seizures.

___ Where'd you get that? Who said I didn't believe he had a siezure issue before the palne incident? I know he did and taking drugs as well as withdraw from drugs can trigger it and/or make it worse. Having several years experience as a liscened pharmacy tech I know that it is not uncommon for migraine suffers to be prescribed pain meds, but it's usually and anti psychotic like depekote or something like elavil- both would have made him gain weight.

gingerwildwood said:

I am sorry but I thought you meant was the seziure brought on by illegal drugs not the fact the combo of drugs for migraines can cause seziures.

rogifan said:

laurarichardson said:

Notice that he does not stop talking or even flinch. I wonder if this was a seizure or some other nerve issue as we saw the ace bandages hanging out from under his wrist bands.

What?

I am so glad that he brought up he had seizures because if nothing else, it raises futher awareness and clearly it is needed.

One does not need to shake or whatever you are imagining a seizure to be, for it to be one. You can have a seizure and still be TALKING and conscious as well...

vandeluca said:

Yes, you can have a seziure just like a stoke and not be aware. I will put up an article about Flo Jo later she died due to a seziure in her slept and the believed she may been having them for years as what not aware of it.

gingerwildwood said:

Mkilpatrick74 said:

My daughter has a seizure disorder that will begin with a migraine always....then will come the blank stares and just zoned out....soon after her eyes roll and they close and she collapses. There have been times she has been unresponsive for several mins. So, im goimg wirh he had a seizure. Its much more fitting wirh what ive seen personally.

I have to agree. From the moment I heard about the plane incident I thought it was a seizure. My question was wither the seizure was brought on by the drugs he was taking or the withdraw from the drugs he was taking.

poor dear.

I agree with most of the posters who have experience with seziures. My child also has a seizure disorder..has/have whatever you want to call it. There was nothiing for 4 years and this week we had 2 here (probably a combo of lack of sleep, lots of tests, puberty..and unknown to us repsiratory infection/ear infection that needed antibiotics for). It can creep back. I don't care if they tell me it went away, I will always worry even 30 years from now. Some people have a lower tolerance to have one or not.

Regarding Prince- when I first heard of his death, I thought maybe it was related to seizures knowing what I know about them. I was also blasted by people for thinkking that correlation here but I didn't really care. I also thought the description on the plane sounded like one, but it could be many things. Given his late nights and lifestyle, based on his lack of sleep alone, I wonder how he did not have them over the years..unless he did and we don't know. Or maybe they were non-existent. We don't know.

My child has complex partials. Prince's video in 2004 someone posted, if a seiuzre, could be a simple partial. (jsut becasue you see a shaking microphone does not mean seiuzre). The seiuzre can also just be a pause in speech or a quick loss of total awareness or when a person seems to ignore you. Even with my experience I am not sure but it could be. Every single person has a different presentation. He has that pause I see in my child at times.

Prince's ifestyle, lack of sleep, if he was taking any other drugs, if he had abruptly stopped or improperly weaned other drugs he was taking-all of these things can trigger a seiuzre or make a seizure return. I dind't really analyze all about the autopsy, but I would not be surprised if someday the seizure was linked in there as well.. He had the perfect storm going on it appears.

Still very sad all around.

[Edited 4/4/17 9:05am]

laurarichardson said:

vandeluca said:

I am so glad that he brought up he had seizures because if nothing else, it raises futher awareness and clearly it is needed.

One does not need to shake or whatever you are imagining a seizure to be, for it to be one. You can have a seizure and still be TALKING and conscious as well...

Yes, you can have a seziure just like a stoke and not be aware. I will put up an article about Flo Jo later she died due to a seziure in her slept and the believed she may been having them for years as what not aware of it.

You don't need to do all of this (post article)for my benefit.

When any parent has a kid that has this going on and it was life threateing, not to be smart a**, but I am probably a Epileptologist without the degree.

vandeluca said:

laurarichardson said:

vandeluca said: Yes, you can have a seziure just like a stoke and not be aware. I will put up an article about Flo Jo later she died due to a seziure in her slept and the believed she may been having them for years as what not aware of it.

You don't need to do all of this (post article)for my benefit.

When any parent has a kid that has this going on and it was life threateing, not to be smart a**, but I am probably a Epileptologist without the degree.

Cool

laurarichardson said:

PeteSilas said:

i read on an opiod page that opiods can cause seizures.

--I don't think he was taking pain pills when he was five.

...Im sure there is someone who will disagree with you

Lovejunky said:

laurarichardson said:

PeteSilas said: --I don't think he was taking pain pills when he was five.

...Im sure there is someone who will disagree with you

Yes, there are people who think he was popping pills in his crib.

-------

See some info on Epilepsy/Anticonvulsant drugs. He was going to have big problems if he was just taking any of these notice the side effects and think about the manner his eyes are moving around in the interview he did while making Under The Cherry Moon and the hand twiching in the Much Music Interview.

----

Also see the drugs that are used for Epilepsy one of which according to unamed soucres said was in his system. I have been saying all along if he had heatlh issues like this he would not have been broadcasting them to the world. He also would have been making himself very ill just by mixing these drugs with other meds or alcohol or just destroying his organs by taking them over a long period of time. I think there is a reason he was using these meds that has not been disclosed mainly due to HIPPA laws and the fact that not too many people knew what was going on with him.

--

Anticonvulsant Drugs

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Anticonvulsant Drugs

Definition

Anticonvulsant drugs are medicines used to prevent or treat convulsions (seizures).

Purpose

Anticonvulsant drugs are used to control seizures in people with epilepsy. Epilepsy is not a single disease—it is a set ofsymptoms that may have different causes in different people. The common thread is an imbalance in the brain'selectrical activity. This imbalance causes seizures that may affect part or all of the body and may or may not cause aloss of consciousness. Anticonvulsant drugs act on the brain to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

Some cases of epilepsy are brought on by head injuries, brain tumors or infections, or metabolic problems such as lowblood sugar. But in some people with epilepsy, the cause is not clear.

Anticonvulsant drugs are an important part of the treatment program for epilepsy. Different kinds of drugs may beprescribed for different types of seizures. In addition to taking medicine, patients with epilepsy should get enough rest,avoid stress, and practice good health habits.

Some physicians believe that giving the drugs to children with epilepsy may prevent the condition from getting worse inlater life. However, others say the effects are the same, whether treatment is started early or later in life. Determiningwhen treatment begins depends on the physician and his assessment of the patient's symptoms.

Physicians also prescribe certain anticonvulsant drugs for other conditions, including bipolar disorder and migraineheadaches.

Description

Anticonvulsant drugs may be divided into several classes. The hydantoins include pheytoin (Dilantin) and mephenytoin(Mesantoin.) Ther succimides include ethosuximide (Zarontin) and methsuccimide (Celontin.) The benzodiazepines,which are better known for their use as tranquilizers and sedatives, include clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate(Tranxene) and diazepam (Valium.) There are also a large number of other drugs which are not related to larger groups.These include carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene) gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate(Topamax), felbamate (Felbatol) and several others. Phenobarbital has been used as an anticonvulsant, and is still usefulfor some patients. The drugs are available only with a physician's prescription and come in tablet, capsule, liquid, and"sprinkle" forms.

Recommended dosage

The recommended dosage depends on the type of anticonvulsant, its strength, and the type of seizures for which it isbeing taken. Check with the physician who prescribed the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for thecorrect dosage.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly after taking it for several weeks or more. Gradually tapering the dose mayreduce the chance of withdrawal effects.

Do not change brands or dosage forms of this medicine without checking with a pharmacist or physician. If a prescriptionrefill does not look like the original medicine, check with the pharmacist who filled the prescription.

Precautions

Patients on anticonvulsant drugs should see a physician regularly while on therapy, especially during the first fewmonths. The physician will check to make sure the medicine is working as it should and will note unwanted side effects.The physician may also need to adjust the dosage during this period.

Key terms

Chronic — A word used to describe a long-lasting condition. Chronic conditions often develop gradually and involve slowchanges.

Epilepsy — A brain disorder with symptoms that include seizures.

Glaucoma — A condition in which pressure in the eye is abnormally high. If not treated, glaucoma may lead toblindness.

Porphyria — A disorder in which porphyrins build up in the blood and urine.

Porphyrin — A type of pigment found in living things, such as chlorophyll which makes plants green or hemoglobinwhich makes blood red.

Seizure — A sudden attack, spasm, or convulsion.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — A chronic disease with many symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, jointpain, sores on the skin, and problems with the kidneys, spleen, and other organs.

Withdrawal symptoms — A group of physical or mental symptoms that may occur when a person suddenly stops usinga drug to which he or she has become dependent.

Valproic acid can cause serious liver damage, especially in the first 6 months of treatment. Children are particularly atrisk, but anyone taking this medicine should see their physician regularly for tests of liver function and should be alert tosymptoms of liver damage, such as yellow skin and eyes, facial swelling, loss of appetite, general feeling of illness, lossof appetite, and vomiting. If liver problems are suspected, call a physician immediately.

Felbatol has caused serious liver damage and aplastic anemia, a condition in which the bone marrow stops producingblood cells. Patients taking this drug should have regular blood counts, and should stop taking the drug if there are toofew red blood cells.

While taking anticonvulsant drugs, do not start or stop taking any other medicines without checking with a physician. Theother medicines may affect the way the anticonvulsant medicine works.

Because anticonvulsant drugs work on the central nervous system, they may add to the effects of alcohol and otherdrugs that slow down the central nervous system, such as antihistamines, cold medicine, allergy medicine, sleep aids,other medicine for seizures, tranquilizers, some pain relievers, and muscle relaxants. Anyone taking anticonvulsantdrugs should check with his or her physician before drinking alcohol or taking any medicines that slow the centralnervous system.

Anticonvulsant drugs may interact with medicines used during surgery, dental procedures, or emergency treatment.These interactions could increase the chance of side effects. Anyone who is taking anticonvulsant drugs should be sureto tell the health care professional in charge before having any surgical or dental procedures or receiving emergencytreatment.

Some people feel drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, or less alert when using these drugs, especially when they first begintaking them or when their dosage is increased. Anyone who takes anticonvulsant drugs should not drive, use machinesor do anything else that might be dangerous until they have found out how the drugs affect them.

Anticonvulsant drugs may affect the results of certain medical tests. Before having medical tests, people who takeanticonvulsant drugs should make sure that the medical professional in charge knows what they are taking.

Children may be more likely to have certain side effects from anticonvulsant drugs, such as behavior changes; tender,bleeding, or swollen gums; enlarged facial features; and excessive hair growth. Problems with the gums may beprevented by regularly brushing and flossing, massaging the gums, and having the teeth cleaned every 3 monthswhether the patient is a child or an adult.

Children who take high doses of this medicine for a long time may have problems in school.

Older people may be more sensitive to the effects of anticonvulsant drugs. This may increase the chance of side effectsand overdoses.

Special conditions

People with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain other medicines can have problems if they takeanticonvulsant drugs. Before taking these drugs, be sure to let the physician know about any of these conditions:

ALLERGIES. Anyone who has had unusual reactions to anticonvulsant drugs or to tricyclic antidepressants such asimipramine (Tofranil) or desipramine (Norpramin) in the past should let his or her physician know before taking the drugsagain. The physician should also be told about any allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances.

PREGNANCY. Some anticonvulsant drugs taken during pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the mother duringdelivery and in the baby after delivery. This problem can be avoided by giving vitamin K to the mother during delivery andto the baby after birth.

Pregnancy may affect the way the body absorbs anticonvulsant drugs. Women who are prone to seizures may havemore seizures during pregnancy, even though they are taking their medicine regularly. If this happens, they should checkwith their physicians about whether the dose needs to be increased.

BREASTFEEDING. Some anticonvulsant drugs pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in babies whosemothers take the medicine. Women who are breastfeeding should check with their physicians about the benefits andrisks of using anticonvulsant drugs.

DIABETES. Anticonvulsant drugs may affect blood sugar levels. Patients with diabetes who notice changes in theresults of their urine or blood tests should check with their physicians.

OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS. Before using anticonvulsant drugs, people with any of these medical problems shouldmake sure their physicians are aware of their conditions:

• liver disease
• kidney disease
• thyroid disease
• heart or blood vessel disease
• blood disease
• brain disease
• problems with urination
• current or past alcohol abuse

• behavior problems
• diabetes mellitus
• glaucoma
• porphyria
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• fever higher than 101 °F (38.3 °C) for more than 24 hours

USE OF CERTAIN MEDICINES. Taking anticonvulsant drugs with certain other drugs may affect the way the drugs workor may increase the chance of side effects.

Side effects

The most common side effects are constipation, mild nausea or vomiting, and mild dizziness, drowsiness, orlightheadedness. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment.Less common side effects, such as diarrhea, sleep problems, aching joints or muscles, increased sensitivity tosunlight, increased sweating, hair loss, enlargement of facial features, excessive hair growth, muscle twitching, andbreast enlargement in males also may occur and do not need medical attention unless they persist or are troublesome.

Other side effects may need medical attention. If any of these side effects occur, check with a physician as soon aspossible:

• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• slurred speech or stuttering
• trembling
• unusual excitement, irritability, or nervousness
• uncontrolled eye movements
• blurred or double vision
• mood or mental changes
• confusion
• increase in seizures
• bleeding, tender, or swollen gums
• skin rash or itching
• enlarged glands in neck or armpits
• muscle weakness or pain
• fever

Other side effects are possible. Anyone who has unusual symptoms after taking anticonvulsant drugs should get intouch with his or her physician.

Interactions

Some anticonvulsant drugs should not be taken within two to three hours of taking antacids or medicine for diarrhea.These medicines may make the anticonvulsant drugs less effective. Ask the pharmacist or physician for moreinformation.

Birth control pills may not work properly when anticonvulsant drugs are being taken. To prevent pregnancy, ask thephysician or pharmacist if additional methods of birth control should be used while taking anticonvulsant drugs.

Anticonvulsant drugs may interact with many other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of thedrugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes anticonvulsant drugs should let thephysician know all other medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with certain anticonvulsantdrugs are:

• airway opening drugs (bronchodilators) such as aminophylline, theophylline (Theo-Dur and other brands), andoxtriphylline (Choledyl and other brands)
• medicines that contain calcium, such as antacids and calcium supplements
• blood thinning drugs
• caffeine
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycins, and sulfonamides (sulfa drugs)
• disulfiram (Antabuse), used to treat alcohol abuse
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate), used to treatconditions including depression and Parkinson's disease
• tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil) or desipramine (Norpramin)
• corticosteroids
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• aspirin
• female hormones (estrogens)
• male hormones (androgens)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as medicine for allergies, colds, hay fever, and asthma; sedatives;tranquilizers; prescription pain medicine; muscle relaxants; medicine for seizures; sleep aids; barbiturates; andanesthetics

• alcohol
• other anticonvulsant drugs

The list above does not include every drug that may interact with anticonvulsant drugs. Be sure to check with aphysician or pharmacist before combining anticonvulsant drugs with any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicine.

Resources

Periodicals

Reynolds, E.H. "Do Anticonvulsant Drugs Alter the Natural Course of Epilepsy? Treatment Should Be Started as Earlyas Possible." British Medical Journal 310 (January 21, 1995): 176.

Organizations

American Epilepsy Society. 638 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. (203) 232-4825.

Epilepsy Foundation of America. 4351 Garden City Drive, #406, Landover, MD 20785. (800) 332-1000.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. P.O. Box 5801, Bethesda, MD 20824. (301) 496-5751.