Guest guest Posted April 13, 2004 Report Share Posted April 13, 2004 I'm so afraid to jinx anything, but I really have to share my son 's experience on the diet thus far. First a brief history. Nate is 15 months old, very delayed in his motor skills, and has myoclonic epilepsy of unknown origin. He was having 100+ seizures/day at his most. He's been resistant to all the meds we've tried over the past six months, and we started the diet on March 24. In the hospital for the diet initiation, the start was horrible. He started seizing more and was soooo irritable. Then, after about two weeks at home, we started seeing somewhat of a decrease--down to less than 20 seizures a day. At that point he was on a 3:1 ratio. Last week, we went in for our two-week follow-up visit, and the neuro was " pleased " with the progress, but wanted to fine-tune to see if we could get even better seizure control. So, on Friday, we went to a 3.5:1 ratio. The results are AMAZING!!! 's still having seizures, but they're less than 10 a day! He's more alert, he's connecting with us, and started rolling again!! We haven't seen that in months, and the neuros were afraid he was regressing! All along, our hope was that all the seizing was interfering with the development, and it wasn't the " unknown disease " causing him to regress. We just wanted to clear his mind and see what he was capable of. I just can't believe that my little boy is actually in there trying to get out! I can see comprehension in his eyes; he reacts to words I say, songs I sing, and is even giving us high fives!!! Although I'm sure this sounds pretty immature for the average 15-month old, it's truly amazing for us! The next step is reducing the meds, the first being klonopin. I'm so nervous about that, because we tried it once before (when Nate wasn't on the diet), and it was HORRENDOUS. The withdrawal seizures were unbearable. I reminded the neuro of this, and she compromised and said we'd start in two weeks, and that we " deserved a status quo " period. So, we'll see how it goes, but for now, I'm just enjoying this little person who's finally able to express himself; and we're finally getting to know each other. Meredith Mom to Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2004 Report Share Posted April 13, 2004 Meredith, This is so wonderful to hear. We had to wean klonopin too soon after initiation. We did a painfully slow wean, 10% reduction every 2 weeks. On day 3 or 4, Lynden would have the fallout......... increased drops, toxicity symptoms, vomiting, nausea. This would last a couple of days and then her drops would improve over the next week. Less than 10 a day?!! Yipee!!!!!!!! Best wishes, Ann Shepard Need to share some good news! I'm so afraid to jinx anything, but I really have to share my son 's experience on the diet thus far. First a brief history. Nate is 15 months old, very delayed in his motor skills, and has myoclonic epilepsy of unknown origin. He was having 100+ seizures/day at his most. He's been resistant to all the meds we've tried over the past six months, and we started the diet on March 24. In the hospital for the diet initiation, the start was horrible. He started seizing more and was soooo irritable. Then, after about two weeks at home, we started seeing somewhat of a decrease--down to less than 20 seizures a day. At that point he was on a 3:1 ratio. Last week, we went in for our two-week follow-up visit, and the neuro was " pleased " with the progress, but wanted to fine-tune to see if we could get even better seizure control. So, on Friday, we went to a 3.5:1 ratio. The results are AMAZING!!! 's still having seizures, but they're less than 10 a day! He's more alert, he's connecting with us, and started rolling again!! We haven't seen that in months, and the neuros were afraid he was regressing! All along, our hope was that all the seizing was interfering with the development, and it wasn't the " unknown disease " causing him to regress. We just wanted to clear his mind and see what he was capable of. I just can't believe that my little boy is actually in there trying to get out! I can see comprehension in his eyes; he reacts to words I say, songs I sing, and is even giving us high fives!!! Although I'm sure this sounds pretty immature for the average 15-month old, it's truly amazing for us! The next step is reducing the meds, the first being klonopin. I'm so nervous about that, because we tried it once before (when Nate wasn't on the diet), and it was HORRENDOUS. The withdrawal seizures were unbearable. I reminded the neuro of this, and she compromised and said we'd start in two weeks, and that we " deserved a status quo " period. So, we'll see how it goes, but for now, I'm just enjoying this little person who's finally able to express himself; and we're finally getting to know each other. Meredith Mom to Nate " The Ketogenic Diet....a realistic treatment option, NOT just a last resort! " List is for parent to parent support only. It is important to get medical advice from a professional keto team! Subscribe: ketogenic-subscribe Unsubscribe: ketogenic-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2004 Report Share Posted April 13, 2004 Meredith, This is so wonderful to hear. We had to wean klonopin too soon after initiation. We did a painfully slow wean, 10% reduction every 2 weeks. On day 3 or 4, Lynden would have the fallout......... increased drops, toxicity symptoms, vomiting, nausea. This would last a couple of days and then her drops would improve over the next week. Less than 10 a day?!! Yipee!!!!!!!! Best wishes, Ann Shepard Need to share some good news! I'm so afraid to jinx anything, but I really have to share my son 's experience on the diet thus far. First a brief history. Nate is 15 months old, very delayed in his motor skills, and has myoclonic epilepsy of unknown origin. He was having 100+ seizures/day at his most. He's been resistant to all the meds we've tried over the past six months, and we started the diet on March 24. In the hospital for the diet initiation, the start was horrible. He started seizing more and was soooo irritable. Then, after about two weeks at home, we started seeing somewhat of a decrease--down to less than 20 seizures a day. At that point he was on a 3:1 ratio. Last week, we went in for our two-week follow-up visit, and the neuro was " pleased " with the progress, but wanted to fine-tune to see if we could get even better seizure control. So, on Friday, we went to a 3.5:1 ratio. The results are AMAZING!!! 's still having seizures, but they're less than 10 a day! He's more alert, he's connecting with us, and started rolling again!! We haven't seen that in months, and the neuros were afraid he was regressing! All along, our hope was that all the seizing was interfering with the development, and it wasn't the " unknown disease " causing him to regress. We just wanted to clear his mind and see what he was capable of. I just can't believe that my little boy is actually in there trying to get out! I can see comprehension in his eyes; he reacts to words I say, songs I sing, and is even giving us high fives!!! Although I'm sure this sounds pretty immature for the average 15-month old, it's truly amazing for us! The next step is reducing the meds, the first being klonopin. I'm so nervous about that, because we tried it once before (when Nate wasn't on the diet), and it was HORRENDOUS. The withdrawal seizures were unbearable. I reminded the neuro of this, and she compromised and said we'd start in two weeks, and that we " deserved a status quo " period. So, we'll see how it goes, but for now, I'm just enjoying this little person who's finally able to express himself; and we're finally getting to know each other. Meredith Mom to Nate " The Ketogenic Diet....a realistic treatment option, NOT just a last resort! " List is for parent to parent support only. It is important to get medical advice from a professional keto team! Subscribe: ketogenic-subscribe Unsubscribe: ketogenic-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2004 Report Share Posted April 13, 2004 Meredith, This is so wonderful to hear. We had to wean klonopin too soon after initiation. We did a painfully slow wean, 10% reduction every 2 weeks. On day 3 or 4, Lynden would have the fallout......... increased drops, toxicity symptoms, vomiting, nausea. This would last a couple of days and then her drops would improve over the next week. Less than 10 a day?!! Yipee!!!!!!!! Best wishes, Ann Shepard Need to share some good news! I'm so afraid to jinx anything, but I really have to share my son 's experience on the diet thus far. First a brief history. Nate is 15 months old, very delayed in his motor skills, and has myoclonic epilepsy of unknown origin. He was having 100+ seizures/day at his most. He's been resistant to all the meds we've tried over the past six months, and we started the diet on March 24. In the hospital for the diet initiation, the start was horrible. He started seizing more and was soooo irritable. Then, after about two weeks at home, we started seeing somewhat of a decrease--down to less than 20 seizures a day. At that point he was on a 3:1 ratio. Last week, we went in for our two-week follow-up visit, and the neuro was " pleased " with the progress, but wanted to fine-tune to see if we could get even better seizure control. So, on Friday, we went to a 3.5:1 ratio. The results are AMAZING!!! 's still having seizures, but they're less than 10 a day! He's more alert, he's connecting with us, and started rolling again!! We haven't seen that in months, and the neuros were afraid he was regressing! All along, our hope was that all the seizing was interfering with the development, and it wasn't the " unknown disease " causing him to regress. We just wanted to clear his mind and see what he was capable of. I just can't believe that my little boy is actually in there trying to get out! I can see comprehension in his eyes; he reacts to words I say, songs I sing, and is even giving us high fives!!! Although I'm sure this sounds pretty immature for the average 15-month old, it's truly amazing for us! The next step is reducing the meds, the first being klonopin. I'm so nervous about that, because we tried it once before (when Nate wasn't on the diet), and it was HORRENDOUS. The withdrawal seizures were unbearable. I reminded the neuro of this, and she compromised and said we'd start in two weeks, and that we " deserved a status quo " period. So, we'll see how it goes, but for now, I'm just enjoying this little person who's finally able to express himself; and we're finally getting to know each other. Meredith Mom to Nate " The Ketogenic Diet....a realistic treatment option, NOT just a last resort! " List is for parent to parent support only. It is important to get medical advice from a professional keto team! Subscribe: ketogenic-subscribe Unsubscribe: ketogenic-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2004 Report Share Posted April 14, 2004 Great news Meredith, lovely to hear words like 'finally getting to know each other', you must be on cloud 9. Long may it continue, and here's hoping he keeps on improving till the seizures have all gone Hopefully the ketosis will help with any withdrawal fallout from the klonipin wean, you are so right about these benzo weans being horrendous, but I'm sure with each reduction you will see even more of the 'real' Nate start to come out. These meds are so very dulling, it really is quite amazing to see what is 'underneath' once they have gone, as we have been finding out for ourselves over the past few months following the ditching of a benzo after 3 long yrs. I think you are wise to agree to a stabilising period first, though do keep an eye out for any signs that the continuing state of ketosis is not raising the klonipin level, as toxicity induced seizures, if they were to come calling, could cloud the whole issue and possibly make you wonder about the wisdom of weaning. By keeping an eye out I mean watch for any toxicity signs (like vomiting or drunkedness etc as med doses peak) which usually appear shortly before the toxicity induced seizures - well this is what used to happen to anyhow, so thought it was worth mentioning. What sort of tapering schedule is your neuro looking at? Is the klonipin the only med he is on? ----- Original Message ----- > I just can't believe that my little boy is actually in there trying to get > out! I can see comprehension in his eyes; he reacts to words I > say, songs I sing, and is even giving us high fives!!! Although I'm > sure this sounds pretty immature for the average 15-month old, > it's truly amazing for us! > > The next step is reducing the meds, the first being klonopin. I'm > so nervous about that, because we tried it once before (when > Nate wasn't on the diet), and it was HORRENDOUS. The > withdrawal seizures were unbearable. I reminded the neuro of > this, and she compromised and said we'd start in two weeks, > and that we " deserved a status quo " period. So, we'll see how it > goes, but for now, I'm just enjoying this little person who's finally > able to express himself; and we're finally getting to know each > other. > > Meredith > Mom to Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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