MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'epilepsy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:55:09 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118643&cid=t_112341_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdrug-manufacturer-issues-statement-banning-drug-used-for-lethal-injections%2F2011.08.11 A friend sent me a press release a few days ago and I still find myself thinking about it. Here in the United States capital punishment is still legal in many states and is performed, frequently, by lethal injection. Prisoners sentenced to death have an IV placed in their arm which is then infused with the following three solutions: A barbiturate like Sodium Pentothal or Nembutal, used to induce anesthesia A paralytic like pancuronium bromide or succinylcholine chloride, used to stop respiration Potassium chloride used to stop electrical conduction in the heart I remember a few years ago drug manufacturer Hospira, the producer of Sodium Pentothal, issued a statement that it disapproved of its drug being used in capital punishment.  But, that was as far as their opposition went and, alth... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118643 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:36 +0100 5118643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078034&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpESdhESRxXI%2F And so, another working week is drawing to a close. This is, of course, our signal to daydream about weekend plans. We have not yet finalized our agenda, but we do hope to catch up on some reading and spend time with our short people. We may even tidy up the Pharmalot corporate campus. And you? Anything special in the offing? A day at the beach? A night at the movies? Maybe a dinner with someone special? Or if you have a high pain threshold, you could track the children in Washington DC as they jeopardize the economy. Whatever your pleasure, have a great time, but be safe. See you soon… Pfizer Wins Prempro Case In West Virginia (Bloomberg News) Nevada Wins Right To Continue Hormone Replacement Lawsuit (Las Vegas Sun) Sanofi Won’t Make Genzyme Milestone Payment (The Boston Globe... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078034 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:10:06 +0100 5078034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008449&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fq6v6sBUFKL4%2F Thinking globally to improve mental health: NIH announces international research initiative (press release): - “The Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health Initiative, led by the National Institutes of Health and the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, has identified the top 40 barriers to better mental health around the world. Similar to past grand challenges, which focused on infectious diseases and chronic, noncommunicable diseases, this initiative seeks to build a community of funders dedicated to supporting research that will significantly improve the lives of people living with MNS disorders within the next 10 years.“ – “Participating in global mental health research is an enormous opportunity, a means to accelerate advances in mental health care for the diverse U.S. popul... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008449 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:53:39 +0100 5008449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992996&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIKpuqSGxcXI%2F Good morning, everyone. And how are you today? Another beautiful morning is rising over the Pharmalot corporate campus. However, we will be rolling in the sidewalks early as we prepare for a long weekend on this side of the pond. Our modest agenda includes a dip in the pool, hanging with the short people, catching up on some research (with thanks to our sources) and one of our favorite sports - hunting for mice. What about you? Anything special planned? Maybe a ride in the country, a barbecue in the backyard or how about a day at the beach? This will be Independence Day, after all, so perhaps this is a good time to think of suggestions for trimming the national debt. The symbolism is heavy, yes? Whatever you do, have a great time and be safe. See you soon… Glaxo Kicks Off Sale Of OTC... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992996 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:50:16 +0100 4992996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992997&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FlsjDsYTX5tA%2F For the second time in less than two years, the FDA has issued a sobering warning about the Depakote epilepsy med sold by Abbott Laboratories. This time, the agency says that children born to mothers who take the anti-seizure drug or related products during pregnancy have an increased risk of lower cognitive test scores than children exposed to other such drugs (read here). The conclusion was reached after the agency reviewed epidemiologic studies. In the primary study upon which the FDA based its conclusion, cognitive tests were performed at age three; in other studies, testing was done on children 5 to 16 years old. The problem, the FDA says, is that long-term effects on cognitive development are unknown and it remains unclear whether the effects occur when fetal exposure is limited to l... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992997 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:19:37 +0100 4992997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945197&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6lF6tGbTdbE%2F And so, another working week is about to draw to a close. This is, of course, our signal to daydream about weekend plans. For now, we intend to do some reading, catch up with our short people and promenade with the official Pharmalot mascots. And you? Anything special? Perhaps a drive in the country? A chance to meet with friends? Or maybe balance your checkbook and show the indebted nations how it’s done? Whatever your fancy, have a great time. Oh, and say ‘hi’ to Dad… FDA Reviewers Say Novartis Gout Drug Data Is Complicated (Reuters) Roche Faces Significant Hurdles For Avastin Breast Cancer Indication (Financial Times) UK Officials Say Pfizer Doing ‘Too Little’ As Plant Closes (BBC) FDA Approves Expanded Use Of Celgene Lymphoma Drug (Reuters) AstraZene... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945197 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:15:14 +0100 4945197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934540&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FDQW29-3Y1j4%2F Epilepsy: A Film About a Girl A woman with epilepsy describes her experiences, lifestyle and recovery in this inspiring short documentary entered in the 2011 Neuro Film Festival. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934540 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:30:16 +0100 4934540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921754&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkjRXkJtSLLo%2F Yet another drugmaker has been tagged for illegal marketing. This time, the US subsidiary of Belgium’s UCB has agreed to pay more than $34 million to resolve civil and criminal charges surrounding off-label promotion of its Keppra epilepsy drug, the US Department of Justice disclosed. Under the terms of the plea agreement in the US Court for the District of Columbia, UCB pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with misbranding of Keppra, which was approved for treating seizures in adults and children. But Keppra is not approved for the treatment of migraine, headache, psychiatric conditions or pain conditions. And guess what UCB promoted Keppra for treating? That’s right. The feds alleged that UCB promoted off label by creating and distributing posters indicating the drug... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921754 Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:57:19 +0100 4921754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841987&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPnFE-Cg3WGw%2F Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? Here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, we are engaged in the off-to-the-school-house hustle. This calls, of course, for a cup or two of stimulation. How else to gear up for those meetings and deadlines? So please feel free to join us. And here is another invitation: our webinar next week on the injectable drug delivery market. Meanwhile, we offer you these tidbits of the world at large. Have a great day and do stay in touch… North Carolina Delays Vote On Preemption Bill (Associated Press) CDC Blog On Zombie Apocalypse Proves Apocalyptic (AdWeek) Takeda To Buy Nycomed For $13.6 Billion (Reuters) Bill Gates Calls For A ‘Decade Of Vaccinations’ (Pharma Times) J&J Failed To Warn Parents Of Motrin Risks: Lawyer (Bloomberg Ne... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841987 Thu, 19 May 2011 11:47:58 +0100 4841987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489678&cid=t_112341_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-aspects-of-the-king%25e2%2580%2599s-speech%2F2011.02.16 Over the weekend I went to see “The King’s Speech.” So far the film, featuring Colin Firth as a soon-to-be-king-of-England with a speech impediment, and Geoffrey Rush as his ill-credentialed but trusted speech therapist, has earned top critics’ awards and 12 Oscar nominations. This is a movie that’s hard not to like for one reason or another, at least most of the way through. It uplifts, it draws on history, it depends on solid acting. What I liked best, though, is the work’s rare depiction of a complex relationship between two imperfect, brave, and dedicated men. At some level, this is a movie about guys who communicate without fixating on cars, football (either kind), or women’s physical features. Great! (Dear Hollywood moguls: Can we have more like this, please?) T... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489678 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:00:11 +0100 4489678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436906&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fmayo-marathon.html On the "day after" Mayo Clinic, I always take a stroll through some visual reminders of how far Amelia has come since October, 2009. The girl who couldn't sit, stand, walk, or see on day 1 in the hospital is flipping somersaults at a family gathering and giving us her big toothy grins, talking a mile a minute with the cutest lisp ever, and shocking the entire medical world with her nearly constant progress in regaining skills.To God be the glory.Yesterday was long and hard. It was supposed to be two quite simple appointments in the ear/nose/throat (ENT) department to examine a scarred area of Amy's throat, to see if there was any active infection. Instead, it turned into what we in this area of the country refer to as the "Mayo Marathon". Once you are there, they assume you have no plans f... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436906 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:42:00 +0100 4436906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436941&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpgW5SMkd_Ws%2F The US Department of Justice has decided to intervene - or join - a whistleblower lawsuit that was filed in late 2008 by three former Abbott Laboratories sales reps, who accused the drugmaker of concocting an illegal scheme to promote its Depakote seizure med. The charges include paying kickbacks to docs to boost prescriptions and, subsequently, defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. The fact that the feds are interested is not a surprise. In late 2009, Abbott disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filed that the Justice Department ws investigating Abbott’s sales and marketing activities of the pill, which is used to treat bipolar disorder, seizures and migraines. The probe centers on possible violations of the Federal False Claims Act, the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act and the Anti-K... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436941 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:35:45 +0100 4436941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414652&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fweekends-are-for-wondering-update-on.html amy's eyelashesI remember deciding to name her after my dear friend. And my favorite great-aunt. Hard-working peace. That's what Amelia Irene means. I had no idea then how God would bring her name to fruition. She has been my hard-working peace, the peace that is striven for and won only with battle scars and broken hearts.After a break from grand mal seizures during the day since August - unprecedented, freeing, believing, hopeful season! - and no nocturnal (during sleep) seizures since late October, Amy's neurologist decided to try weaning her off one of her anti-seizure medications (Depakote). Her epilepsy monitoring in the hospital at Mayo in October had shown very little seizure activity (only during sleep) and what was seen wasn't grand mal, so it seemed like the appropriate mov... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414652 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:12:00 +0100 4414652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394751&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCvf7cwE0jD4%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope your weekend was relaxing and refreshing. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine as those meetings and deadlines beckon. We know the feeling. To cope, we are brewing our usual cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Pumpkin Spice - and we invite you to join us. Meanwhile, here are some interesting tidbits to help you along. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Supreme Court Rejects Vanderbilt Bid On Lilly Cialis Patent (Indianapolis Star) Glaxo Stopped Running Levitra Ads In Late 2009 (Dow Jones) EU Price Cuts And US Reform Weigh On Drugmakers (Reuters) Sanofi Extends Genzyme Bid To February 15 (Bloomberg News) China Health Deal To Boost US Pharma Exports (Pharma Times) Families Drop Case Against Epilepsy ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394751 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:57:03 +0100 4394751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285173&cid=t_112341_87_f&fid=34816&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHonestMedicine%2F%7E3%2F5smNnuczGvI%2Fhmonamazon.html For over a year, I have been busy writing my book, HONEST MEDICINE: Effective, Time-Tested, Inexpensive Treatments for Life-Threatening Diseases. It has been wonderful, terrible, exhausting—and ultimately, life-changing time. And now it is published--and on Amazon.com! The idea for HONEST MEDICINE started germinating in 2002, when my husband Tim was in the hospital with a non-healing post-surgical head wound caused when his suture line wouldn't heal. His doctors performed 8 surgeries to try to get his skin to heal. Nothing worked.  Then, through a friend and colleague, Dr. Carlos Reynes, I found Silverlon, a different kind of wound-healing system. Just hours after placing Silverlon on Tim’s head, his skin started to heal. I was elated. (You may read about our experience here.)�... HONEST MEDICINE: My Dream for the Future blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285173 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:38:56 +0100 4285173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233293&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Ffda-rejects-ezogabine.html FDA rejects a new epilepsy drug from Valeant, GSKFierceBiotech02 December 2010Read FierceBiotech article here===Earlier blog post on topic, from 12th August: here=== (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233293 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4233293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214486&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FytaYMSbbu9s%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another day is on the way. And here on the busy Pharmalot corporate campus, we have already fed the official mascots, hustled one of the short people off to the local school house and brewed a cup of stimulation. What next? Documents to read, phone calls to return and the never-ending search for new ideas. While we get started, here are some tidbits to help you jumpstart your own routine. Have a good one and stay in touch… More Clinical Trials Are Being Held In India (The Times of India) BRIC CRO’s Are Getting More Business (Outsourcing Pharma) UK ‘Patent Box’ Will Create New Jobs (Pharma Times) AstraZeneca Cancer Drug Linked To Toxicity (Wall Street Journal) Mom Vows Fight Against Sanofi Despite Setback (News & Star) The Generic Threa... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214486 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:58:50 +0100 4214486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197358&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F7souxMLZV4g%2F Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in New Jersey that would prevent pharmacists from switching anti-epilepsy pills over concerns that some patients have reacted poorly to generics that are deemed bioequivalent (read here). This has been a long-standing issue with epileptics, some of whom say the slightest difference can cause serious reactions, including seizures. Pfizer, for instance, encountered such complaints after it began marketing a new version of its venerable Dilantin drug and stopped selling Dilantin Kapseals in favor of new Dilantin capsules two years ago. In fact, a Maryland couple filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the drugmaker for switching its products after their son took the new version and later died of a grand mal seizure (back story). And so a New Jersey stat... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197358 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:43:04 +0100 4197358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175925&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fcoming-undone-mayo-day-6.html Step 1. Remove dressing & netting around head.Step 2. Soothe child with favorite thing (in this case: bottle).Step 3. Remove tape, gauze, and electrodes from head using acetone (sting!).Step 4. Understand why child has been screaming & itching head for last 48 hours.Step 5. Finally: the awaited-for-a-whole-week bath.Step 6. Try another bottle.Step 6. How about some Benadryl for that itching?Step 7. Go HOME! (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175925 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:38:00 +0100 4175925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168155&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Ffelt-prayers-mayo-day-5.html Suffice it to say she hasn't itched since the prayer comments started pouring in. Well, that's not entirely true: she has stated, a few times, in a very calm voice, "Mama, I am itchy. Can I have some medicine please?" TADA! Prayer at work, people!! Thank you to each and every one who dropped everything to pray for something as small as the comfort of one little kid today. She's more subdued than usual, pale and under the weather as her cough worsens every day. But she has not been screaming in pain! These pictures are from our evening play session a few minutes ago.Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. (Ephesia... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168155 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:26:00 +0100 4168155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168156&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fwhen-you-are-helpless.html The results from this hospital stay are so depressing on so many levels. Last night Amelia started reacting horribly to the glue used to attach the electrodes all over her scalp (about 30 of them). She screamed, thrashed, and begged me to remove them, all while shaking her hands in the air because she was obeying and not scratching at them. When I finally got her to sleep at 4 a.m., I vowed not to let them touch those electrodes again...just take whatever information they can get, without the usual morning process of gluing loose electrodes and filling them all with conducting gel again. At 11:30 a.m., I praised God because they hadn't come to do so yet, although they are usually here by 9 a.m....I assumed this meant the electrodes had by some mercy survived the night intact. So I allowed ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168156 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:41:00 +0100 4168156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164671&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fall-together-mayo-day-4.html Minnesota is in the dreary early winter stage. The snowflakes falling have been beautiful! Oddly enough, just 80 miles north, in the Twin Cities, they received a true blizzard, not just flurries - over 10" in some areas, I think?The lines on Amy's little head are so lyrical with this little headdress.Painting nails was a favorite activity for both Amy and Rosy!  Never before have I spent the time to do multiple coats of color, PLUS the glittery top coat! I am afraid I have falsely elevated their expectations and it will come back to haunt me some busy evening when I am bathing them...Movie time!Doing her evening "stretches" in bed this evening.I think she's got a hockey goalie somewhere inside!Playing computer games - Olivia's painting game was a hit!(click on "Fun with Oliv... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164671 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:07:00 +0100 4164671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4163032&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fgetting-bit-stir-crazy-mayo-day-2.html Amy started getting a bit stir-crazy today on day 2 of being confined to bed. By this I mean she started doing things like hopping up and down all around her room, doing jumping jacks, and trying to jump on her hospital bed. Trust me, hospital beds do not "jump" well! She also triggered the seizure episode alert system at least a dozen times. Which is a bit irritating for everyone - especially the staff - as it brings about 5 nurses running full tilt down the hallway to save her life in the event of a bad seizure!It wasn't until after midnight last night that I finally got her to sleep, after much cuddling, reading of books, singing of songs, drinking of milk, and attempting to bounce on the bed. Tonight, we read the incomparable "Olivia" by Ian Falconer...and giggled that "Olivia" could b... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4163032 Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:00:00 +0100 4163032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159437&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fevening-in-hospital-mayo-day-1.html  Joy of a visit from siblings in the hospital.Playing with the vintage window panes in the old hospital wing.Yeah for new toys!$50 at the hospital gift shop = 20 minutes of peaceful play.A single closet in the hospital room (free) = 1 hour of playing "bus" with glee!If this eldest sweet girl doesn't become a nurse like mom & dad...I'll be shocked.She spent the whole visit watching over Amy's various wires and cords.Making sure they don't get caught in the door of the closet......or stepped on by the crazy off-boarding bus passengers.Can you really be sick if you're having this much fun?And finally...they have the BEST therapy dog here. Ever. A Newfoundland.Only problem: owner has to carry around a towel to wipe up the spit! (Source: Turquoise Gates) Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159437 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:01:00 +0100 4159437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159438&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Famy-joins-teletubbies-mayo-epilepsy.html If you are new here, you may not have heard about my daughter Amelia, who survived a life-threatening brain infection at age 3. After her infection, she suffered a second assault on her tiny body...an auto-immune reaction to the infection stripped her brain of it's protective fatty myelin coating that insulates all the nerves. After completely losing the ability to walk or sit unassisted, feed herself, swallow and chew, and suffering severe speech, hearing, and vision losses, she made a dramatic recovery that can only be credited to God (with help from a hefty dose of steroids for 6 months straight). To read more about Amelia's original illness, click the tab at the top of the page above my blog name.Amelia was hospitalized today to investigate her one remaining issue: a severe seizure dis... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159438 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:30:00 +0100 4159438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053487&cid=t_112341_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fwho-intervention-guide%2F Image via Wikipedia WHO simplifies treatment of mental and neurological disorders A new Intervention guide to facilitate the management of depression, alcohol use disorders, epilepsy and other common mental disorders in the primary health-care setting GENEVA — Millions of people with common, but untreated, mental, neurological and substance use disorders can now benefit from new simplified diagnosis and treatment guidelines released today by WHO. The guidelines are designed to facilitate the management of depression, alcohol use disorders, epilepsy and other common mental disorders in the primary health-care setting. The Intervention guide extends competence in diagnosis and management to non-mental health specialists including doctors, nurses and other health providers. These ev... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053487 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:49:00 +0100 4053487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013542&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fqg1tQYaJFjM%2F Three years ago, Pfizer made a seemingly curious move. The drugmaker began marketing a new version of its venerable Dilantin drug for treating epilepsy, and stopped selling Dilantin Kapseals in favor of new Dilantin capsules. The explanation? Manufacturing needed to be upgraded. But in doing so, the drugmaker upset some epileptics, who began reporting seizures after switching meds. There was unfortunate irony in the move. You may recall brand-name drugmakers often carp that generics lack bioequivalency, which refers to how a generic is absorbed differently in the body. Slight differences can cause some patients to experience problems after making a switch. Yet Pfizer placed itself on both sides of the argument. And at the same time, the Epilepsy Foundation, which the drugmaker has supporte... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013542 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:55:42 +0100 4013542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994264&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fin-still-of-night.html In the last few weeks, Amelia has begun having a very scary type of seizure with increasing frequency.  Back in July, she had one nocturnal seizure (a seizure that takes place during the night while the child is asleep).  Now, in the past three weeks, she has had a seizure about 50% of the nights, usually when she is just falling asleep, but sometimes in the middle of the night.  These seizures are generalized, and involve the whole icky seizure spectrum, from vomiting and incontinence, to post-seizure echolalia (saying the same thing over and over and over and over...ad nauseam), anxiety and sometimes even a period of intense wakefulness before she crashes into a very long sleep.  The morning after these seizure nights, she sleeps very late in the morning, sometimes un... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994264 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:34:00 +0100 3994264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994114&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FzgqJu56zNqw%2F Keeping Kids Healthy – Epilepsy: One in a Hundred Kids An episode of the well-produced pediatric series, examining epilepsy. Two experts explain types of seizures, causes, treatment, while young people with epilepsy and a parent discuss living with it, stigma, and coping. Includes a clip about a teen peer support group. “We just have seizure disorders, that’s all. But we’re normal.” Excellent show. Report This Post (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994114 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:20:21 +0100 3994114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3983531&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Ftasting-water-of-affliction.html The clouds chase each other across the cadet blue of the afternoon sky, and kids bend to pick up rocks and toss them back into Superior's frigid waves.I hold Amy's hand as she tries, unsteadily, to place a rock on the tower her siblings are building.I set her down and she sits stiffly between her two little guardians, the older sisters who flank her always and tenderly watch out for the myriad dangers and hurts that linger in the wings of every ordinary day.Her kalamata olive eyes dance tawny in the gold of the afternoon sun.  I am thinking of orphans, and sick babies in hospitals...all the mission fields abandoned for the one of hearth and home.  She teaches me, in new ways daily, whatever I do for this little one, I do for Christ. (Matthew 25:40) There is no abandoning of missi... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3983531 Sun, 19 Sep 2010 20:02:00 +0100 3983531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3960055&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fplumping-up.html I never thought I'd have to encourage my kids to eat.  I certainly have no problem loving food myself...although I do have vague memories of battles over sauerkraut, mustard, rye bread and polish sausage when I was a small child.  Anything that awakened the palate was too spicy for me.  But since becoming a mother myself, I've become more aware of feeding issues.  And I assume my kids are probably easy to feed compared to many...breastfed until 5-6 months and started directly on hand-ground table food, they never had flavor or texture aversions suffered by many children today.We started getting the evil eye from our pediatrician back when Rosy wouldn't gain weight or grow taller.  She wore 3-6 month clothes until 18 months, and 6-9 month clothes until after age 2. ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3960055 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:25:00 +0100 3960055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899606&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fgod-knows-best.html Summer has been quiet at the Thul household.  At least the majority of it - if you start counting after July 4th.  The past month has been pretty good, a welcome reprieve from suffering.  A vacation from days spent mulling over big questions with no obvious answers.  It's been good to step back from intellectual debate and just experience summer with kids in hand and God shining through brightly from above.  This past week has been a bit of a step backward.  It's always a decision whether to blog about the bad.  But that's what this blog is about.  It's a journal of pain and how we survive it.  A journal of brokenness and what heals us.  So, while it is a delight to celebrate when things are going well, it is also a duty to speak when struc... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899606 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:46:00 +0100 3899606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862101&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fpotiga-ezogabine.html From FierceBiotechFDA panel backs new epilepsy drug from GSK, ValeantAugust 12, 2010 — 7:41am ET By John Carroll"GlaxoSmithKline and Valeant got a solid endorsement for their new epilepsy drug Potiga (ezogabine) from the FDA's panel of experts, putting them on track to a likely approval. The experts unanimously agreed that the drug would benefit epilepsy patients whose meds couldn't stop seizures. And they agreed that careful monitoring would flag patients who experience an inability to urinate while taking the drug."Read the full article (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862101 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:17:00 +0100 3862101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827349&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FxlR5KWqXo1w%2F Hello, everyone. How are you today? Hope your week is going well. We have had a rather busy time, but that is to be expected. And so you know what this means - time for two cups of stimulation. Feel free to join us as we gear up for another cycle of meetings and deadlines. Meanwhile, here are some snippets of activity that may interest you. Have a good one and please do stay in touch… Epilepsy Drugs Don’t Increase Suicide Risk (Bloomberg News) Merck Proteomics Research Matches Drugs To Activated Pathways (BioIt World) Gilead’s Ace Drug Developer Resigns (Xconomy) Bayer, J&J’s Xarelto Meets Study Goal (Reuters) Glaxo Find New Way To Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteria (Dow Jones) WHO Withdraws Pre-Qualification Of Sanofi Vaccine (Vaccine News Daily) Glaxo Signs Cancer... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827349 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:47:17 +0100 3827349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808824&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Ffull-weekend.html Summer seems to be gathering speed as July waned quickly into August, and we were adrift in birthdays and barbecues and baseball games.  Aaron turned 36 on Saturday, in the midst of a weekend on call, full of procedures and disasters to tend to at work.  I love how the children look like sparks flying off his fire in this photo, as they bend like reeds in the glee of giving gifts.Amy's weekend was full of partial seizures, and a few full-blown ones as well.  I have noticed they are clustering on the weekends, which is a call to slow down again as a family.  Just when things seem to be under control, and we start to pile on the fun as we dance in joy that sickness is abating, the seizures come thundering back to remind us that this is not a temporary change in our lives.... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808824 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:38:00 +0100 3808824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776582&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fmiracle-month.html Something amazing has happened.  And there is really no way to tell you about it, except with a few pictures.Here's the first photo.  Notice the writing on at least 50% of the dates on this calendar.  This is Amelia's episode record, which helps her team of doctors at Mayo decide how to adjust medications, whether to consider surgery, determine whether she needs to be hospitalized or not.  May and June were two very terrible months for both her and her parents.But THIS is July.  Four days of partial seizures on our travels, in a high stimulus car.  No poop in the pants.  Only a few episodes of vomit.  An Amelia who is almost completely potty trained again for the first time since October, 2009!  An Amelia who smiles more than she fusses, and is ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776582 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:44:00 +0100 3776582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701730&cid=t_112341_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FVNrsYkP__UA%2F                Witnessing a seizure can be scary and it is important that you know what to do in case of the event.  First, a seizure is normally caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain or by fainting (decrease in blood flow to the brain).  The symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain involved, but often include unusual sensations, uncontrollable muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.  Most people experience a blackout and wake up on the ground with no recollection of the occurrence.  Often times a seizure has a warning sign called an aura.  Aura symptoms include blurriness or vision loss, racing thoughts, weird stomach sensations, tingling, fear or panic, dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, nausea and numbness.  But other times seizures come wi... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701730 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:54:52 +0100 3701730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3678647&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fclosing-in.html The walls feel compressive today.  Yesterday, I brought video footage of Amelia's seizures (all kinds - the partials and the full-blown twitching, the recovery, and the onset) to her wonderful doctor at Mayo.  He has diagnosed her with four kinds based on the videos: simple partial, complex partial, secondarily generalized and absence seizures.  He skipped all the intermediate drug options and went straight to Depakote, an old, strong anti-seizure medication that is highly effective.  I am on my way out the door now to pick it up and give her a loading dose.  He hopes to see results within 24 hours to the tune of fewer seizures.  She is at the brink of status epilepticus - the only ray of hope currently being that the seizures have been short, though many.I fa... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3678647 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:29:00 +0100 3678647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671984&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fbecoming-special-needs-mother.html I've been considering this whole idea of being the mother of a special needs child for about a year and a half now. As Aaron and I moved toward adoption of a baby with Down syndrome, I had a lot of questions to ask myself. I pictured myself in every imaginable scenario, and came to my terms with it. Felt comfortable with the idea.And then one of my already-known, already-born, already-loved children developed a brain infection, and then damage, and finally seizures. For a week now, we've dealt with our first season of "clustered" seizures - more than 2 in a 24 hour period. Amy's had seizures while I'm driving down the road, slamming the truck into gear on me with her flailing feet. She's had seizures at VBS and pee'd all over nursery. She's had seizures playing outside, sleeping in her bed... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671984 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:55:00 +0100 3671984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662886&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fweekends-are-for-weltering.html wel·ter :: 1. a confused mass; a jumble. 3. to surge or roll, as on the sea.Weekends are for serving old friends as they make new ties.Weekends are for capturing joy moment by moment - deep in the heart and frozen on film.Weekends are for rediscovering beauty in ordinary places.They're for finding new friends.And rediscovering old ones.Amy (and, in the context of this writing, I should delineate that I mean "Amelia") had well over a dozen seizures in the last four days. I would have to consult the episode record for the exact count. For some reason, she isn't absorbing the seizure medication correctly. She's now developed "clustering" of seizures, with almost a constant simple partial seizure yesterday, punctuated by 6 tonic/clonic seizures. LOTS of clean up, LOTS of tears, and LOTS of wo... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662886 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:08:00 +0100 3662886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3655773&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fyes-you-can-swallow-upside-down.html ...and other ways to say, "life goes on."That should be the title today.When I took these photos, I imagined some creative, helium-filled happy words about the joys and simplicity of homeschooling. It was the day we learned about the digestive system and I taught the girls about peristalsis. But life intervened, and I never wrote helium-filled happiness, all through a week without seizures and preparing for a long-awaited visit from old friends, and finishing work to meet deadlines, and doing the fall and spring cleaning I missed last fall, last spring.We kept swallowing, through all those good days of hard work and elbow grease. Nothing seemed too terribly upside down. And tonight it doesn't, either - seem upside down, I mean. It's just a normal night. I can't sleep because the day was st... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3655773 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:50:00 +0100 3655773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644966&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Funexpected-joy.html Katy commented we'll have the unexpected joy of hosting back-to-backbabies adopted from Ethiopia - this sweet girl dropped into our laps unexpectedlyon Tuesday, and the Glovers bringing their sweet girl on Thursday!Busy days ahead - planning for VBS, doing last minute clutter cleaning,taking some more photos (planned this time!) and picking the Glovers upat the airport.So I leave you with some of the shots I snapped of our dear little friend,and the substantial, significant, long-awaited, yearned-for news thatAmy has not had a seizure for an entire week!Perhaps the Keppra is working...regardless, I burst forth with songs ofpraise tonight, instead of songs of mourning.Give thanks to the LordOur God and KingHis love endures foreverFor He is good, He is above all thingsHis love endures foreve... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644966 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:13:00 +0100 3644966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599700&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fwhat-remains.html Elisabeth Elliot's prayer today: Lord, deliver us from smallness and self-pity. "Make us masters of ourselves that we may be the servants of others"(Sir Alexander Patterson).I have always been a very "in the moment" sort of person. The moment is the focus: if it's good, entertaining, sweet - then I am in a good mood; if it's bad, negative, draining, tiresome - then I am in a bad mood. Living with cancer, living with a child with new disabilities, requires that I step outside the moment.I started that process by developing a constant scale system, completely internally and inside my own head. My "inner monologue" often had to do with weighing the pros and cons - adding a pro here or a con there depending on the moment, and then evaluating the sum. A good day had more pros in it than cons. A... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599700 Tue, 25 May 2010 16:50:00 +0100 3599700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546994&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Ffloating.html For this little girl, the best medicine is and always has been the bath. She had two seizures on Friday and took 4 baths. I reveled in the unbroken beauty of her spirit and her lithe figure, even in illness. She is preserved, so completely. Happy mother's day!Reminds me that, in addition to our brains and our science and our technological advances, we were first given herbs, wine, bread, oil (Psalm 104). The smallest blessings (running water, heated water, a large antique clawfoot tub) are sometimes the grandest life has to offer.He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realise just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for ... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546994 Sun, 09 May 2010 11:47:00 +0100 3546994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519712&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FZl8_IqGwlEA%2F The health care giant’s Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals subsidiaries are ponying up $81 million in order to resolve criminal and civil lawsuits charging the units with illegally promoting the Topamax epilepsy drug. This is one of three such agreements the Justice Department announced this week. Also today, Schwarz Pharma will pay $22 million for failing to tell the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that two unapproved drugs didn’t qualify for coverage under federal health care programs. And earlier this week, AstraZeneca agreed to pay $520 million for off-label promotion of the Seroquel antipsychotic (see here). Unlike the J&J charges, these two oher cases didn’t involve criminal charges. One thing all three settlements h... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519712 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:12:55 +0100 3519712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3468020&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FX2JmApk8MdI%2F Several widely used anticonvulsants, including Pfizer’s Neurontin, may increase the risk of suicide, attempted suicide and violent death in patients taking them for the first time, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Compared with Johnson & Johnson’s Topamax (known generically as topiramate), the study found increased suicide risks for new patients using Neurontin (sold generically as gabapentin); GlaxoSmithKline’s Lamictal; Novartis’ Trileptal, or Cephalon’s Gabitril. Researchers also found an increased risk with Abbott Labs’ Depakine and Epilim, which is sold by Sanofi-Aventis. The findings come two years after the FDA required anticonvulsants to carry a warning they double the risk of suicidal thoughts and beh... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3468020 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:04:48 +0100 3468020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463709&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FR-jJspudt-w%2Ftracking-the-brain.html Tracking Evan: Caring, By the Numbers Tracking software useful in the care of a boy with epilepsy and Tuberous Sclerosis. A short documentary entry in the Neuro Film Festival video contest, it won the the Filmmaker and Fan Favorite prizes. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463709 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:30:21 +0100 3463709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399176&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHKZWxYiRh7Q%2F A federal courtroom in Boston is hosting a trial between Pfizer and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, which claim the drugmaker committed fraud by aggressively promoting off-label use for its Neurontin epilepsy drug. Warner-Lambert, which developed the pill and was bought by Pfizer a decade ago, pleaded guilty in 2004 and paid $430 million to resolve off-label marketing charges brought by the US Justice Department. Now, Pfizer faces a $270 million fraud claim. To defend the drugmaker, Pfizer attorney Raoul Kennedy made a curious admission to jurors in closing arguments. Neurontin, he said, is “a good drug that, at one time, at least in some parts of the country, may have been marketed by some bad people.” Hmm… Pfizer lawyers also argued that K... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399176 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:32:17 +0100 3399176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3387028&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhumbled-tested-blessed.html Life is hard and life is good. "That he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end" (Deuteronomy 8:16). ~ John Piper's tweet today at 1:30 p.m.That morning, we watched two friends hands run the length of a tiny casket, draped in a blue knit baby blanket, that final touch symbolic of the life and death the casket held: short and sweet. It's the second time we've watched them walk this road of sorrow, the second baby they lost the same day they met him. Two sons - Josh and Jake - arrows now around God's table in heaven instead of around theirs here on earth. We passed through their darkness on the way to our own. A side trip on the way to Mayo to find out what was wrong with Amelia. The pale turquoise of the spring sunlit sky belied the shadow of the valley we felt deep inside.... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3387028 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:40:00 +0100 3387028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385530&cid=t_112341_136_f&fid=39016&url=http%3A%2F%2Fturquoisegates.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fgood-news-bad-news.html I always start with the good news. Always. Today we received news that the flattening of Amelia's optic nerves (a sign of damage) is gone since the latest spinal tap. Her optic nerves also look very healthy on the MRI brain scan, and the channels that drain fluid around the brain stem are completely open. They had previously been partially blocked by her swollen brain stem. Her MRI is, in fact, completely and totally normal for the first time since October. It appears that she suffered two distinct demyelinating events, one in October, and another in November. This does not yet meet the criteria for multiple sclerosis, so, at least for the time being, that has been eliminated as a potential diagnosis.Her spinal tap did indeed reveal high pressure in her spinal column. As yet we have absolu... Turquoise Gates blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385530 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:58:00 +0100 3385530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331606&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F2p96dNLfh5Q%2F Hello, everyone. How are you today? Bracing for deadlines and meetings, no doubt. We understand. Our immediate challenge is rousting one of the short people from a deep slumber. To cope, we are brewing the ritual cup of stimulation and searching for interesting items. Here are a few, in fact, to help you along. Have a good day and stay in touch… Dendreon’s Provenge Boosts Survival 40 Percent (Reuters) Sanofi Prostate Cancer Drug May Set New Standard (TheStreet) Child Seizure Study Finds Older Drugs Work Best (Reuters) Hospital Takes Huge Mark-Up On Roche’s Avastin (Bloomberg) UK’s NICE Spurns Celgene Rare Blood Cancer Drug (Reuters) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331606 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:08:47 +0100 3331606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067309&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FjkE1LbjFkyo%2F Still more controversy over this group of medications. A new study suggests that patients with bipolar disorder who take these anti-epileptic drugs do not have an increased risk of committing suicide, despite FDA warnings to the contrary (back story here). Bipolar patients treated with antiepileptics attempted suicide at the same rate as patients who received no medication or lithium. The rate of suicide attempts was higher before patients began taking the meds than afterwards, according to the study in the Archives of General Psychiatry (see abstract). And compared with patients taking no drugs, those on a single antiepileptic had a reduced risk of suicide attempts. The study, which analyzed records collected between 2000 and 2006 on 47,918 bipolar patients from the PharMetrics Patient Ce... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067309 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:34:00 +0100 3067309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063367&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fongoing-event-american-epilepsy-society.html The conference homepage: American Epilepsy Society Conference (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063367 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:06:00 +0100 3063367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3019105&cid=t_112341_115_f&fid=34670&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsumerdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fcortical-dysplasia-mri.html Focal cortical dysplasia is a common cause of intractable epilepsy in children and is a frequent cause of epilepsy in adults. All forms of focal cortical dysplasia lead to disorganization of the normal structure of the cerebral cortex. This is a 9year old girl presented with refractory complex partial seizures. From Sumer's Radiology Site http://www.sumerdoc.blogspot.com -The Top Radiology Magazine. Teleradiology Providers at www.teleradproviders.com Mail us at teleradproviders@gmail.com (Source: Sumer's Radiology Site) Sumer's Radiology Site blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3019105 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:10:00 +0100 3019105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999850&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FA60sgroNZLE%2F Those who take meds to cope with epilepsy will be interested to know that Congress has asked the FDA to examine epileptic drugs the agency considers to be therapeutically equivalent to other products. The disclosure was made in a conference report pertaining to an appropriations bill for the agency (see page 86). As the FDA Law Blog posits, the move is presumably related to questions about any “increased risk of seizures or toxic side effects when patients are switched from a brand name to a generic.” The issue has been raised before by the Epilepsy Foundation, the Washington Legal Foundation and a 2008 article in Neurology that changing from a brand to generic may result in seizures. Pfizer, you may recall, encountered similar concerns last year. That’s when the drugmak... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999850 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:50:45 +0100 2999850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920181&cid=t_112341_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FhcBhgXVv0AU%2F The following guest post on the subject of drug adherence is written by Joyce A. Cramer. Joyce is Associate Research Scientist at Yale University School of Medicine as well as President of Epilepsy Therapy Project, a 501-c-3 organization accelerating new therapies for people with epilepsy. “Drugs don’t work in people who don’t take them” said former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. While performing research on this topic since the 1980s, I have been continually surprised that the results are uniform: People take, on average, three-fourths of medication as prescribed1. This has held true across many diseases and types of medications. There seems to be no consequence so severe that everyone with that disorder takes all doses (e.g., organ transplantation, epilepsy, asthma, etc.). One ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920181 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:34:06 +0100 2920181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857488&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ffourth-plinth-epilepsy-action-on-one.html Di Flatt, manager of the fundraising team at Epilepsy Action, has her hour on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square at 1700 hrs, Saturday. She is one of the 2400 taking part in Antony Gormley's One & Other project.You can read about Di and view a refeed of her plinth hour at DiFlatt.You can watch her live at One&Other.Read all about the 60th anniversary of Epilepsy Action. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857488 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:21:00 +0100 2857488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2790334&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fdavid-axelrod-speaks-about-epilepsy-in.html From The Utica Observer-Dispatch:Obama adviser speaks about epilepsy locallyAxelrod also touts healthcare reformBy ELIZABETH COOPERObserver-DispatchPosted Sep 12, 2009 @ 09:01 PMLast update Sep 12, 2009 @ 10:59 PMWHITESBORO —Amid the national debate on health care, a top White House adviser related his personal story about troubles his family encountered in getting care for a daughter with epilepsy.David Axelrod, a close adviser to President Barack Obama, was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, known as CURE, at Hart's Hill Inn Saturday evening. Axelrod's wife, Susan Landau, is one of the founders of CURE, and she has come to the Mohawk Valley in the past for CURE fundraisers, though Saturday was Axelrod's first visit. More than 700 people at... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2790334 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:52:00 +0100 2790334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2725090&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Ffda-sabril-vigabatrin-and-infantile.html From a press release by the FDA:Sabril Approved by FDA to Treat Spasms in Infants and Epileptic SeizuresSabril (vigabatrin) Oral Solution has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat infantile spasms in children ages 1 month to 2 years. Sabril is the first drug in the United States approved to treat the disorder, characterized by a severe type of seizure that usually appears in the first year of life, typically between ages 4 months and 8 months. The disorder can be debilitating because of the frequency of difficult-to-control daily seizures.Sabril (vigabatrin) Tablets have been approved for adult use in combination with other medications to treat complex partial seizures that have not responded adequately to previous drug therapies.“Seizures can cause impaired ner... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2725090 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:54:00 +0100 2725090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702402&cid=t_112341_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F14%2Fpediatric-dental-residents-and-faculty%2F The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has updated the following policies and guidelines: Vending Machines in School Use of Dental Bleaching for Child and Adolescent Patients Infection Control Infant Oral Health Care Periodicity of Examination,Preventive Dental Services, Anticipatory Guidance, and Oral Treatment for Children Fluoride Therapy Use of Local Anesthesia for Pediatric Dental Patients Use of Nitrous Oxide for Pediatric Dental [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702402 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:06:15 +0100 2702402 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634687&cid=t_112341_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fepilepsy-foundation-discusses-seniors.html The Epilepsy Foundation discusses seniors' health issues and epilepsy on their website, under "Seniors and Siezures."The website defines epilepsy as "a functional disorder of the brain, a glitch...in the electrical system that controls everything we feel and do."It goes on to explain that these glitches, known as malfunctions, can "temporarily block awareness." Treatment for seniors often involves daily medication. People do not respond the same way to medications. Missing a daily dose can increase the potential for a siezure. The site explains that epilepsy affects about 300,000 seniors in the U.S. and that this is the fastest growing population group with epilepsy. Causes listed on the site of epilepsy in seniors include: after-effects of stroke, tumors, and cardiovascular events.Treatme... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634687 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:41:00 +0100 2634687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447732&cid=t_112341_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FhJrmYWlhs2Q%2F Lamictal XR (lamotrigine) Extended Release Tablets have been approved by the US FDA for prescription to people, aged 13 or older, who have partial onset seizures. The original version of Lamictal has been available since the mid-1990s. Instead of trying to explain how it works, here is a video of a pharmacist explaining what Lamictal is. Just click on the TV screen: The newly approved extended version, Lamictal XR, limits the number of pills a person must take in a day - some people take several. The fewer medications a person has to take, the lower the chance of mistakes and the higher the chance of the person taking all medications as they should be taken. ~~~~ Image: iStock Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree FDA Approves Extended Epilepsy Medication (Sourc... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447732 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:49:23 +0100 2447732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349805&cid=t_112341_155_f&fid=38409&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropathologyblog.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fbest-post-of-january-09-jett-travoltas.html The Jett Travolta Foundation has been set up to help kids with various impairments since I published the following post on January 11, 2009:Everyone has heard about the tragic death of 16-year-old Jett Travolta (pictured with his dad, actor John Travolta) presumably as a result of a prolonged seizure. It's also public knowledge that Jett Travolta suffered from Kawasaki's disease. It's unclear that there was a connection between Kawasaki's disease and his seizure disorder. There's some evidence, however, that there may be a connection between seizures and Jett's possible autistic disorder. The Travoltas reportedly didn't acknowledge the possibility that Jett had autism, perhaps because their faith (Scientology) does not recognize autism as a legitimate entity. An autopsy is being performed,... neuropathology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349805 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:19:00 +0100 2349805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2272018&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fepilepsy_nearly_doubles_depression_risk.htm Sean Wagner A new study published in Epilepsia finds that the prevalence of depression is almost twice as high in people with epilepsy compared to the general population. Among those with epilepsy, racial minorities have seven times the odds of depression in comparison to the majority Caucasian population. The findings also show that 40 percent of depressed respondents with epilepsy were not accessing mental healthcare services. Data from the 2000/2001 Canadian Community Health Survey was used to determine prevalence of epilepsy and depression. 13 percent of those with epilepsy were found to suffer from depression, compared to 7 percent of those without the disorder. Epilepsy was also associated with 43 percent higher odds of depression when adjusting for demographic factors. The odds were... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2272018 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:53:00 +0100 2272018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2047633&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F487009246%2F The move, which comes nearly a year after the agency decided the drugs have a slightly higher risk for suice than a placebo, applies to 21 medications, including several such widely known pills as Pfizer’s Lyrica, Glaxo’s Lamictal and Johnson & Johnson’s Topamax. However, the FDA stopped short of adding a Black Box warnings, which the agency staffers had proposed earlier this year (back story). An FDA advisory committee last July agreed that stiffer warnings were needed, but declined to recommend a Black Box (look here). The FDA reviewed 199 clinical trials of 11 drugs which showed patients had almost twice the risk of suicidal behavior or thoughts (0.43 percent) compared to patients receiving a placebo (0.24 percent). This difference was about one additional case of... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2047633 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:09:54 +0100 2047633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039942&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F16%2Ffda-issues-alert-for-epilepsy-drugs-despite-controversy%2F Back in January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned doctors that drugs used to treat epilepsy (also called antiepileptic drugs or AEDs) may raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions (according to a USA Today story). It came to this conclusion after examining 199 studies that looked at 11 different anti-seizure medications, such as Neurontin, Tegretol and Depakote. Earlier this month, a panel at the American Epilepsy Society 62 Annual Meeting (as reported by Medscape) disputed the FDA’s findings and suggested that the methodology that the FDA used was severely flawed, resulting in a recommendation that was also flawed: After crunching the numbers, Drs. Hesdorffer and Berg told meeting attendees that the study findings are inconsistent across the 11 drugs. The ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039942 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:12:51 +0100 2039942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2005917&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fi9vsZdA3f80%2F The UC Davis-M.I.N.D. Institute’s MARBLES study ( Markers of Autism Risk in Babies’ Learning Early Signs) is following some 100 women who have a biological autistic child and who are pregnant, or who are planning on becoming pregnant, to investigate possible biological and environmental agents that children are exposed to prenatally and post-partum. It seems that maternal health during pregnancy—what expecting mothers do or do not do—will remain an area of scrutiny in the search for autism’s causes: A study published in the December Neurology shows that children whose mothers took Epilim, an anti-epileptic drug, during pregnancy were seven times more likely to develop autism, as compared with children whose mothers did not take such a drug, as reported in Reut... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2005917 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:48:19 +0100 2005917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984792&cid=t_112341_117_f&fid=34696&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.creative-weblogging%2Faudio%2F%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.straightfromthedoc.com%2F50226711%2Fnew_drug_to_treat_severe_epilepsy_approved_by_the_fda.php Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 141095 Manufactured by Eisai Medical Research Inc. - Banzel (rufinamide) - has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment for seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - a severe form of epilepsy. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy that usually begins before 4 years of age, and can be caused by brain malformations, severe head injury, central nervous system infection and inherited degenerative or metabolic conditions. In 30-35 percent of cases, no cause can be found. Patients may have periods of frequent seizures mixed with brief, relatively seizure-free periods; and suffer from varying types of seizures including tonic (stiffening of the body, upward deviation of the eyes, dilation of the pupils, and altered... Straightfromthedoc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984792 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:17:20 +0100 1984792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964133&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FdxMo7-zXLW8%2F The woman I spoke to at the birthday party yesterday told me that her brother had been institutionalized at the Cambridge State Hospital. Originally called the Minnesota Colony for Epilectics, it became a state hospital for the developmentally disabled and for those with “mental deficiencies” in 1949; it reached its peak population of 2008 in the 1960s. In 1972, a class action suit was filed against the state’s six State Hospitals by the parents of some of the residents ” who felt that the conditions, care, treatment and training did not meet constitutional standards” (this photo says why). This started a movement to move individuals with developmental disabilities into community settings such as group homes where they might live as independently as possible,... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964133 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:43:10 +0100 1964133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955153&cid=t_112341_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.podbean.com%2Fmedias%2Fweb%2FaHR0cDovL21lZGlhMi5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS8zNzc4Ni91L1RoZUNvbW1pc3Npb25lcjMxMS5tcDM%2FTheCommissioner311.mp3 World Class Commissioning and Audit Commission Auditors’ Local Evaluation (Use of Resources from 08/09) Three new NICE Commissioning Guides Mental Health Act Briefing: Children & Young People Taking the long term view: the Department of Health’s strategy for delivering sustainable development 2008-2011 NHS must rise to technology challenge Commissioning IAPT for the whole community: Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Improving outcomes in cardiovascular disease; a guide for practice-based commissioners Self-referral pilots to musculoskeletal physiotherapy and the implications for improving access to other AHP services Integrated care pilot programme - prospectus for potential pilots Standard Podcasts [ 5:55m] Feed for Podcast Posted in Current Awareness, Grey L... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955153 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:30:36 +0100 1955153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1909285&cid=t_112341_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F10%2F23%2Faftb-lecture-notes-status-epilepticus%2F STATUS EPILEPTICUS (SE) DEFINITION Synonyms: overt, geneneralised tonic-clinic, major motor SE Defined as a seizure lasting over 5 mins, or two or more seizures without recovery in between. AETIOLOGY (ADULTS) Idiopathic (24-38%). If known epileptic, inadequate/ceased medication most common single cause. Remote symptomatic (3-17%) - eg. prior CVA, head injury or cerebral palsy. Progressive encephalopathy (5-15%) - eg. progressive neurological [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1909285 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:24:59 +0100 1909285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1829213&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FfMJuVJ8H5QQ%2F Scientists have previously posited that autism’s cause is at the synapse. Mutations in the genes for neuroligins—which ensure that signal transitions between nerve cells function—-have been suggested as a cause of autism.  Neuroscientists at Children’s Hospital Boston have identified what is being called a “master switch” that organizes the functioning of inhibitory synapses. Synapses are the connections between brain cells and enable communication among neurons; they’re essentially for virtually all brain functions, such as memory, sensory perception, motor coordination, learning. The “master switch” is Npas4, which is a transcription factor, a “switch” that activates or represses other genes; it regulates over 200 genes t... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829213 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:37:00 +0100 1829213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1815266&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day.html CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a new method of ambulatory assessment of behavioral and cognitive data during titration of antiepileptic drugs. Significant changes in aggressiveness under add-on treatment with levetiracetam were found to be dependent on the time of assessment during the day. These results suggest that PDA-based ambulatory monitoring of patients with epilepsy may be a promising tool for early detection of drug-related side effects and, thus, may constitute a significant improvement in patient care. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815266 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:22:00 +0100 1815266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652291&cid=t_112341_117_f&fid=34696&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.straightfromthedoc.com%2F50226711%2Ftaking_epilepsy_drug_topiramate_during_pregnancy_may_increase_risk_of_birth_defects.php Previous studies have already shown that most epilepsy drugs when taken during pregnancy poses risk of birth defects in the unborn child. The very reason why most women with epilepsy are advised against pregnancy. Either that or stop taking the epilepsy drugs or find another drug maybe during the pregnancy period. Now, one more epilepsy drug - topiramate - may increase risk of birth defects when taken alone or with other epilepsy drugs during pregnancy. According to the study published in the July 22, 2008 issue of Neurology, little research has been done on topiramate. Studies have shown that topiramate increases the risk of birth defects in animals. Maintaining effective epilepsy treatment during pregnancy is crucial because seizures may cause harm to the fetus. For the study, rese... Straightfromthedoc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652291 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:33:55 +0100 1652291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649077&cid=t_112341_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F343769158%2Ftopamax_topiramate_may_cause_birth_defects.html Only one month after Johnson & Johnson was required to put a black box warning on Regranex and a week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected a black box warning on epilepsy drugs, research has found that J&J's Topamax may increase the risk of birth defects.The study, a small one of 203 patients, found a 14-fold increase in the risk of birth defects in patients taking the epilepsy drug Topamax. The risk was potentially even higher in patients that took Topamax with valproate (Depakote) or other epilepsy medications.Due to the small size of the study, experts have stressed that more research is needed to confirm the possible birth defect link. Experts also stated that pregnant women who suffer from epilepsy should not stop taking there drug as the sei... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649077 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:00:18 +0100 1649077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1606126&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F332036774%2F Two agency advisory committees voted unanimously today that 11 different epilepsy medications can cause increased risks of suicide, but voted 14-4 against adding a Black Box about those risks on the drug labeling, a boon to several drugmakers, notably Pfizer, which sells Lyrica. The panel’s vote about the Black Box warnings broke down along professional lines, with psychiatrists and neurologists voting against, and statisticians favoring the warnings. A recent FDA analysis of nearly 200 studies found patients on epilepsy meds were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those on placebo - on average, 0.43 percent compared with 0.22 percent. The agency, however, noted the effect was rare and remain uncertain about the cause. Interestingly, the panel decision not to r... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1606126 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:19:06 +0100 1606126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1606129&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F331822537%2F As the agency holds an advisory committee meeting today to review a proposal to slap Black Box warnings on epilepsy meds due to concerns about suicidal behavior and thoughts, some docs say the FDA may be overreacting and question whether the move will do patients any good. As we noted, a recent FDA analysis of nearly 200 studies found patients on epilepsy meds were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those on placebo - on average, 0.43 percent compared with 0.22 percent. Agency officials, however, acknowledge the effect was rare and remain uncertain about the cause. Look here for the back story and FDA documents. “Suicide is always a risk in patients with epilepsy, whether taking medication or not,” Philip Walson, an adjunct professor of pediatrics at Cinci... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1606129 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:28:44 +0100 1606129 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594003&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F329135607%2F The agency, of course, signaled as much last month when Rusty Katz, the director the FDA’s neuropharmacological drug division, publicly acknowledged the agency has been working on getting suicide warnings in the labeling for 11 meds. Here’s the back story. Earlier today, though, the FDA made the proposal official in briefing documents posted on the agency website in advance of an advisory committee meeting being held this Thursday to discuss the issue. Here are the documents. A recent FDA analysis of nearly 200 studies found patients on epilepsy meds were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those on placebo - on average, 0.43 percent compared with 0.22 percent. The agency, however, noted the effect was rare and remain uncertain about the cause. “There see... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594003 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:32:17 +0100 1594003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526390&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F16%2Fan-m-r-i-dont-know-know-if-this-is-a-good-idea%2F Tomorrow I’m having an MRI… with AND without contrast. I have to admit, the “with contrast” makes me a little nervous… It’s on my brain. I’ve been having, what could only be called “seizures”…. Simple partial seizures. Just a little deja vu to start off with… I always know they’re coming… I don’t [...] (Source: bipolar chicks blogging) bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526390 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:58:29 +0100 1526390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1509067&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F309981177%2F For the past two weeks, reports surfaced that drugmakers are trying to come to grips with FDA plans to increase warnings on 11 epilepsy meds about suicidal thoughts and behavior. One agency official cited a combined analysis of 199 clinical trials that included 43,892 patients showing an “across the board” trend in differences in behavior between patients on placebo and those on the meds. Now, though, a May 23 FDA report, which will be discussed at a July 10 advisory committee, was posted on the agency web site today. The conclusion, of course, has been well telegraphed: “antiepileptic drugs are associated with increased risk of suicidality relative to placebo in randomized placebo-controlled trials. The effect appears consistent among the group of 11 drugs.” For th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1509067 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:00:43 +0100 1509067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1500286&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F306056993%2F The agency is finalizing plans to add suicidal behavior to the labels of 11 epilepsy drugs, reflecting concerns that the meds are also widely used for other maladies, such as chronic pain, The Wall Street Journal reports. “We are working on the labeling changes that we want to get to the companies,” Russell Katz, director the FDA’s neuropharmacological drug division, tells the paper, which adds that several drugmakers believe the FDA may even propose the changes before a July 10 advisory committee meeting. Katz defended the agency’s decision earlier this year to alert doctors and patients to a potential link to suicidal behavior, despite concerns from some drugmakers about the small increase in risk drawn from the FDA’s analysis and the potential impact on dru... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1500286 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:06:19 +0100 1500286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1494562&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F304501987%2F Drugmakers are scrambling to convince the FDA not to add warnings for suicidal behavior risks to a large class of epilepsy drugs also used widely for a variety of other conditions, The Wall Street Journal reports. On Monday, at a closed meeting of epilepsy researchers and industry reps in New York, the FDA presented data that agency officials said show a statistically significant difference in suicidal tendencies for patients who have taken one of 11 epilepsy drugs that are on the market. However, the difference is quite small; the risk for patients on a placebo was 0.23 percent and for those taking one of the 11 drugs it was 0.37 percent, the Journal writes. Several drugmakers at the forum held by the Epilepsy Study Consortium told the FDA that its analysis is flawed because it grouped th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494562 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:12:29 +0100 1494562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1484946&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F302717625%2F More genetics news today: Researchers have identified the mutated gene that causes childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). The seizures of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) are usually staring spells during which the child is not aware or responsive. The child’s eyes may roll up briefly. Each spell lasts about 10 seconds and ends abruptly. The child often is not even aware that anything has happened. These episodes can occur 1 to 50 times per day, often during exercise. Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, with or without fever, may occur for a while before absence seizures develop and may occur from time to time thereafter. [Epilepsy.com] The Childhood Absence Epilepsy Family Study also notes that CAE is also known as “Petit Mal” or epilepsy with “staring spells.” CAE... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1484946 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:48:08 +0100 1484946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467901&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F297843367%2F Up until last week, posts about “mercury” and “Jenny McCarthy” had the most comments—-after last week, the topic of religion and the restraining order filed against the parents of Adam Race generated a torrent of discussion that’s still going on). Priest Files Restraining Order Against Parents of Autistic 13-year-old Some 250-plus comments about Adam Race and the parish of St. Joseph’s in Bertha, Minnesota. A Mother and a Housewife Mothers and housewives can be pretty accomplished—-one whom I know (via the internet) is Kathleen Seidel, who writes the Neurodiversity weblog. Read with Care: New Study on Thimerosal and Neurodevelopmental Disorders A new study published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences that reports an association between ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467901 Sun, 25 May 2008 17:00:39 +0100 1467901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458854&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F295033345%2F One way that brand-name drugmakers fend off generic competition is to charge that a copycat version lacks bioequivalency, another way of saying the generic is absorbed differently in the body. Even though the FDA may have approved a generic as sufficiently similar to the brand-name med, slight differences can still cause some patients to experience problems if they switch drugs. In an unusual twist, Pfizer seems to have created a switching problem for itself. Last fall, the drugmaker began marketing a new version of its age-old Dilantin med for treating epilepsy. Citing a need to upgrade manufacturing, Pfizer stopped selling Dilantin Kapseals and began selling Dilantin capsules. But some epileptics are complaining that the new product is causing seizures. On one forum, for instance, Mike f... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458854 Wed, 21 May 2008 13:16:03 +0100 1458854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454494&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F294090983%2F According to Dr. Fernando Miranda of the Bright Mind Institute, maybe not. A report in the May 19th Good Morning America/ABC News describes some children who were initially diagnosed with autism, and later found to have Landau-Kleffner Syndrome. For some of the children, anti-seizure medication has produced dramatic results and Dr. Miranda is said to insist that “you have to look inside the brain to determine what’s wrong,” via MRIs and EEGs. The ABC report portrays parents as greatly relieved to know that there is a medical issue for their child’s disorder, and that the child does not have autism: To watch Beckett [Kavanaugh] today, you might think he has a bit of trouble speaking, but it’s minor. You’d never think he was autistic. He’s being main... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454494 Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:13 +0100 1454494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1436943&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F288949362%2F Researchers at Adelaide’s Women’s & Children’s Hospital and the University of Adelaide, Australia, have found that a mutant gene causes epilepsy and intellectual disabilities specific to women. As noted in Science Daily, the study links a “large family of genes known as protocadherins with a condition known as ‘epilepsy and mental retardation limited to females’ (EFMR).” EFMR is described as “relatively uncommon” and also hereditary, …….with successive generations of women affected. In just one of seven families studied across the world, 23 women were affected by the disorder across five generations. This discovery will now enable such families to benefit from genetic counselling, including screening for the genetic muta... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1436943 Mon, 12 May 2008 21:02:29 +0100 1436943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1411785&cid=t_112341_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F281058986%2Fdilantin_linked_to_bone_loss.html In a paper in the April issue of Neurology Dr Allison Pack details how research found that women taking the epilepsy drug dilantin showed a bone loss that was eight times higher than premenopausal women who had not taken any drugs for epilepsy."That suggests that if these women remain on this medication and have ongoing significant or accelerated bone loss that over time, they will be entering the peri-menopausal period with lower bone density and therefore a greater risk for low bone mineral density over time and therefore a higher risk of fractures," stated Pack.According to Dr. R. Eugene Ramsay, director of the International Center for Epilepsy at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 90 percent of older people who have epileptic seizures are prescribed Dilantin d... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1411785 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:00:55 +0100 1411785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322018&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F03%2F23%2Fepilepsy-foundation-ecommunities-hacked%2F Sadly, the Epilepsy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the lives of 3 million Americans who suffer from epilepsy, had their online community hacked over the weekend. It appears the attack generated hundreds, if not thousands, of new posts to the community, resulting in basically a denial of service (DOS) attack. A denial of service attack is exactly what it sounds — the attackers do something to the service to make it unusable for the rest of the world. If you’re a member of the Epilepsy Foundation eCommunities, I highly suggest not visiting the community until you see an update either here in this blog post, or in our own NeuroTalk Epilepsy support community (which is safe and secure). I visited the site and made the unfortunate mistake of clicking on one of the po... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322018 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:27:58 +0100 1322018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1253729&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F240718461%2F (Note: neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that measures brain waves and that, according to practitioners, provides good "brain training" for specific clinical conditions). A few weeks ago Dr. David Rabiner wrote a great post on How Strong is the Research Support for Neurofeedback in Attention Deficits?, concluding that - "It is for these reasons that neurofeedback is understandably regarded as an unproven treatment approach for ADHD at this time by many ADHD researchers. - However, these studies do provide a solid basis for suggesting that if parents choose to pursue neurofeedback for their child, there is a reasonable chance that their child will benefit even though we can't be sure that it is the specific EEG training that is responsible for the benefits. Thus, althoug... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1253729 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:43:48 +0100 1253729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1225256&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F12%2Fmaking-sense-of-suicide-drugs%2F We don’t know the answer. We suspect this may be one of those questions that remain unanswered for decades to come. But people are looking for answers to the question of suicide, especially when it comes to an increased risk associated with taking a particular prescription drug. For instance, recently the FDA noted that certain mood stabilizer drugs increase the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior in a very small percentage of patients. These drugs are used to treat people with depression and epilepsy. And now The New York Times has an article examining whether we can really know much of anything about suicide, Making Sense of the Great Suicide Debate, when our window of analysis is so short: But the act itself is so rare — 1 in 10,000 — that a series of drug trials cannot... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1225256 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:47:49 +0100 1225256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1219886&cid=t_112341_117_f&fid=34696&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.straightfromthedoc.com%2F50226711%2Fmodified_atkins_diet_against_adult_epileptic_seizures.php Everyone knows what an Atkins Diet is right? It is a (once?)popular low-carb, high protein diet fad which was first intended to the clinically obese, needing drastic weight loss. But then, anything in the modern world becomes a fad. Even the non-obese are adapting to the Atkins diet. Now, a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests that a modified version of Atkins diet can significantly cut the number of seizures in epileptic adults. The said version of Atkins diet is an eating plan called the ketogenic diet that has been used (for almost a century) in the treatment of children with epilepsy. This diet often consists of a short period of fasting, strictly limits fluids and drastically restricts carbohydrates. It appears to limit or even eliminate seizures, possibly by generatin... Straightfromthedoc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1219886 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:30:00 +0100 1219886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1194813&cid=t_112341_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F227366951%2Fepilepsy_drugs_get_fda_warning.html The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert yesterday that epilepsy drug could increase the risk of suicidal thought of behaviour.The alert comes as a result of the FDA having reviewed almost 200 studies of 11 anti-seizure drugs that have been sold for decades. 28,000 people had been followed in the studies who had been given the medications and 16,000 that had been given placebos. While the side effect of suicidal thoughts or behaviours were rarely reported the FDA did find that those taking the epilepsy drugs had twice the risk over those taking the placebo. 0.43 percent as compared to 0.22 percent.Even though anti-seizure drugs are used in other illnesses such as migraines, nerve-pain disorders and psychiatric illnesses the FDA still found that those being treated for epilepsy... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1194813 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:00:56 +0100 1194813 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1192917&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Ffda_analysis_finds_antileptic_drugs_increase_suicidality.htm The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed healthcare professionals that the Agency has analyzed reports of suicidality (suicidal behavior or ideation) from placebo-controlled clinical studies of eleven drugs used to treat epilepsy as well as psychiatric disorders, and other conditions. In the FDA's analysis, patients receiving antiepileptic drugs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal behavior or ideation (0.43%) compared to patients receiving placebo (0.22%). The increased risk of suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation was observed as early as one week after starting the antiepileptic drug and continued through 24 weeks. The results were generally consistent among the eleven drugs. The relative risk for suicidality was higher in patients with epilepsy compared to pat... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1192917 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:50:00 +0100 1192917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1192925&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F226824615%2F The agency posted a warning on its web site this afternoon about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors associated with 11 drugs used to treat epilepsy and certain psychiatric disorders. The drugs include Pfizer’s Lyrica, which is approved for treating pain associated with diabetes and fibromyalgia; Johnson & Johnson’s Topamax, which is also approved to treat migraines; and Glaxo’s Lamictal. “Patients who were treated for epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and other conditions were all at increased risk for suicidality when compared to placebo, and there did not appear to be a specific demographic subgroup of patients to which the increased risk could be attributed. The relative risk for suicidality was higher in the patients with epilepsy compared ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1192925 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:30:26 +0100 1192925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1176151&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fgrief-loss-and-whatever.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1176151 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:22:00 +0100 1176151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146229&cid=t_112341_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fdoctor-bashing-1-epilepsy.html One of the most morale-sapping, soul-destroying aspects of British General Practice is being subjected to constant unfounded criticism by the media. Of late, the BBC is the worst offender. The attacks are formulaic. First, you find a medical pressure group or charity. Then you invite a non-medically qualified member of the organisation to vent his spleen. He will say:Your GP is not trained to assess your conditionInsist on a referral to a specialist.Jack de Manio - far too polite to bash doctorsThe Radio 4 TODAY programme, to which I have been listening since the days of dear old Jack de Manio, has used the formula on two occasions in the last two weeks. On New Year’s Eve, I learnt that I was not competent to manage women with breast pathology. The female reporter on that occasion was pa... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146229 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:35:00 +0100 1146229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1119875&cid=t_112341_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F207418977%2F Further to my article on Fragile X Syndrome the BBC health website has posted this article: “Genetic engineering has been used to alleviate symptoms Fragile X in mice, which is a leading cause of inherited learning difficulties and autism. There is currently no treatment for Fragile X syndrome, also linked to epilepsy and abnormal body growth, but the new work raises hopes of progress. A Massachusetts team were able to trigger big improvements in the mice by tweaking just one gene, FMRP. The researchers, from the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, examined mice which lack the FMRP gene, and show many of the symptoms associated with fragile X. They also created mice that not only lacked FMRP, but also had a 50% reduction in mGluR5. This... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1119875 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:51:54 +0100 1119875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1090650&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F199287848%2F What’s a nosh? A snack, of course. We prefer something healthy - a few figs will do very nicely today. And so while we visit the Pharmalot icebox, we thought we would pass along a few tasty items for those of you who need something to chew on…. China’s FDA Punishes Company For Selling Tainted Leukemia Meds (Xinhua.net) West Pharmaceutical To Cut 250 Jobs (Philadelphia Business Journal) FDA Strengthens Warnings On Some Epilepsy Drugs (Marketwatch) Biotech Trial Dates To Watch In 2008 (TheStreet.com) Alpharma Stock Falls On Earnings Forecast (Yahoo/AP) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1090650 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:20:38 +0100 1090650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1059990&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fneuropsychology-abstract-of-day_29.html CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam produces fewer untoward neuropsychological and neurophysiologic effects than carbamazepine in monotherapy at the dosages and timeframes employed in this study.PMID: 18040014 [PubMed - in process] (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1059990 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:59:00 +0100 1059990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1049943&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fepilepsy_drugs_may_cause_sexual_disorders.htm The use of antiepileptic drugs can lead to decreased fertility and increased incidence of reproductive endocrine disorders in both men and women. A new study published in Epilepsia investigates the effects of withdrawal from two common antiepileptic drugs, carbamazepine (Tegretol®) and valproate (Depakote®), on the sex-hormones of male and female antiepileptic drug users. The study finds that reproductive endocrine dysfunction resulting from antiepileptic drug use is reversible, even after years of treatment. After withdrawal from carbamazepine and valproate, sexual hormone levels returned to pre-treatment levels, and treatment-associated reproductive endocrine changes reversed. Increases in serum testosterone concentration and decreases in estradiol, another sexual hormone, lead t... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049943 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:49:00 +0100 1049943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1035616&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2007%2F11%2F19%2Fseizures-medication-treatment-offers-hope-for-a-normal-lifestyle%2F Seizures are the manifestation of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Affected individuals show clinical symptoms of seizures with twitching or jerking of one side or their entire body. With this they can make gasping noises, turn blue in the face, bite their tongue or lose control of their bladder. These symptoms are charateristic of a grand mal seizure. During an epileptic attacks, the person is not responsive or aware of what is going on around them. Fortunately there is excellent treatment available to control seizures and in many cases, keep patients seizure free. It is estimated that there are 2-3 million individuals in the United States who suffer from recurrent seizures (epilepsy.) Many of these people are neurologically intact with the cause of their seizures being unkn... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1035616 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:32:22 +0100 1035616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1032991&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F11%2F16%2Fmy-neurologist-is-a-sadistic-asshat%2F I want to read that book. My neurologist is either stupid or a sadist. Yes, this is the same one who was a party in the Lamictal doc shoppin episode (and part 2, that I did not write) he is at it again. The one who is in the “best group in the area” in the middle of a state that is part of the corn belt…one of those “I” states. The “S” is silent, by the way. Part 2- Instead of giving me the dose of Lamictal I requested so I could take it twice a day, he insisted on giving me one I had to take three times a day. Why? Because I suggested something. Why? Just to be difficult. Freak. It took two days just for the office to call back with a verdict and a script. This is the one who refers patients who are non emergent to ER during regular office hou... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1032991 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:32:37 +0100 1032991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002298&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F179355728%2F Is it possible that autism is getting too much attention not only in the public eye, but also among philanthropies and the media? According to ABC News, “The 1,000 biggest U.S. private foundations nearly doubled their autism-related giving to $2.7 million between 1998 and 2005, the New York-based Foundation Center reports.” Autism has indeed become a “cause célèbre” of the moment, thanks to “star-studded spokespeople” like Jenny McCarthy, whose book about her autistic son’s “recovery” has been widely publicized. But will this attention last? What happens if, for all the money raised in the name of autism (and of curing it and finding what causes it), no cure is found? If the children who seem to be recovered at 5 years old through spe... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002298 Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:05:22 +0100 1002298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=988415&cid=t_112341_117_f&fid=34696&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.straightfromthedoc.com%2F50226711%2Fantiepileptic_drugs_can_cause_reproductive_disorders.php In both men and women, the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can lead to decreased fertility and increased incidence of reproductive endocrine disorders. The study finds that reproductive endocrine dysfunction resulting from AED use is reversible, even after years of treatment. After withdrawal from CBZ and VPA, sexual hormone levels returned to pre-treatment levels, and treatment-associated reproductive endocrine changes reversed. Findings are published in the journal Epilepsia. According to Morten I. Lossius, author of the study: "These findings provide further evidence of the potentially negative effects of epilepsy treatment on reproductive endocrine functions in men and women, but they also show that some of these changes may be reversible." Well, what's the alternative to ... Straightfromthedoc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=988415 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:00:00 +0100 988415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=970167&cid=t_112341_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F173382770%2F Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy have discovered a previously unknown congenital disease that is caused by a genetic defect resulting in muscle cells not being able to store energy from sugar. In the worst case, the disease can lead to the heart stopping. The researchers identified three sisters who had previously had an undetermined disease. Their parents must have both been carriers as that is what is needed for this congenital heart defect to transpire. The eldest of the siblings collapsed suddenly while on a playground and died. She had previously been treated for epilepsy with diminished energy and strength. It wasn’t till after her death and a post mortem exam that they discovered that her heart was not “normal”. When the next sibling started with similar symp... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=970167 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:36:12 +0100 970167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=954087&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F170460473%2F Swimmers at a Special Olympics event at the University of Utah were unable to compete last Friday due to a state ba on diapers in public swimming pools. Today’s Statesman Journal reports that a 14-year-old girl who has autism and epilepsy was barred from competing after a lifeguard “spotted a woman hurriedly removing a dry diaper from her 14-year-old daughter.” The swimmer had already won a medal in an earlier event before it was realized that she was wearing diapers. There has been a ban in Utah against swimmers in diapers since August 28th, due to the spread of cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause severe diarrhea. Having pulled Charlie out of the pool a few times when it was learned that “someone had an accident” in the water—-and having spent m... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=954087 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:25:41 +0100 954087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941865&cid=t_112341_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F167996160%2Fglenmark_pharmaceuticals_limited_receives_fda_approval_to_market_generic_version_of_trileptal_.html Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (NSE:GLENMARK)has received final U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to market generic Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) tablets.Trileptal is currently manufactured by Roxane Laboratories Inc (Google Finance), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (BOM:524715) in three strength (150 mg, 300 mg and 600 mg) and is used alone or in combination with other drugs in the treatment of partial epileptic seizures in adults and children over the age of 4.Trileptal was the 74th best selling brand name medication in 2005 according to Drug Topics."FDA requires generic drugs to have the same quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs," said Gary J. Buehler, director of FDA's Office of Generic Drugs.... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941865 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:00:36 +0100 941865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=925241&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fupcoming-event-30-november-05-december.html The 61st annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) will take place in Philadelphia, from the 30th of November through the 5th of December.Details about the meeting can be found on the meeting webpage of the AES website. (Source: BrainBlog) BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=925241 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:51:00 +0100 925241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=789241&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F08%2F09%2Fdoc-shoppin%2F May I have your attention please? May I have your attention please? Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? I repeat, will the real Slim Shady please stand up? We’re gonna have a problem here..   I have a problem. I need a real doctor. One that will stand up and not pass the buck like an asshat. Who would have thought someone who has been diagnosed as: bipolar II or bipolar I (depending on his mood or memory) by a pdoc AND Having trigeminal neuralgia and epilepsy by a neurologist (ALL managed with the same anti-seizure meds) would have such a bitch of a time getting a refill for Lamictal? It’s a tall bottle. The pills are big. I thought there were more left in it than there were. Now I need more. *this started yesterday* Who to call? Whichever doc’s na... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=789241 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 09:40:41 +0100 789241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773408&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F08%2F01%2Fhanding-out-cookies%2F That’s to everyone who’s been swiping some of our stuff and placing it on bogus spam-ridden sites for $$$ So a big F.U. from me is going out to them. Google Adwords are of the devil, I swear. My ass hurts from sitting here last night tracking all that crap. In other news: Yahoo chat is also of the devil. Their new software “upgrade” or whatever that was, included people who had been blocked, (years ago) people who had been blocked and deleted from email contacts…and as a bonus, when asked if I would like to block the freak who was frantically trying to re-add me, and I clicked “yes” it did absolutely friggin’ nothing! While I’m in such a great mood and handing out cookies….I’m sending out a big F.U. to **number 11 , who se... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773408 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:18:11 +0100 773408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773411&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fepilepsy-seizures-or-bipolar-disorder.html Philip Dawdy over at Furious Seasons has something in common with Chief Justice John Roberts.After reading Dawdy's post, you might just wish that Dawdy, mental health advocate and journalist was "Chief Justice Philip Dawdy", because somehow I think there might be much accomplished regarding Civil Liberties, mental health and scrutiny of Big Pharma and more.But for now here's a quote from Dawdy expressing those sentiments:"Whatever was going on, goes away and he goes on with being John Roberts, Chief Justice. And no one bats an eye. But I hope he never forgets the fear and trembling he's felt the last few days and remembers it very clearly when, in the future, cases involving the lives of more common Americans--in ADA cases, say, or when pharma companies lie about their products--come befor... soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773411 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:30:00 +0100 773411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=765049&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F138576617%2Fnew_hope_for_people_who_seizur.html A newly created brain implant may soon stop epilepsy seizures according to researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. In fact the implant  is  expected to both predict and prevent seizures.The device is a landmark leap forward and Dr.  Michael Sperling, M.D., sees it as significant to approximately 30 to 40 percent of people who cannot control seizures with medications, so that they can work and drive. The implant is connected to two wires containing electrodes that are placed within the brain or resting on the brain surface where seizures originate. The implant sends electrical stimulations to suppress seizures ... or short circuits in the brain - before symptoms even appear. Researchers now plan to observe 65 adults with medically uncontrolled epilepsy ... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=765049 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:35:43 +0100 765049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=752957&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fawareness.html Though conflicted and in agony, I am also kicking some ass about forced injections and fresh air and the absurd mental health system based on a medication based paradigm treatment plan for inpatient care in locked down psych wards.We are stuck in a system that has proven itself a failure. (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=752957 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:23:00 +0100 752957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=734025&cid=t_112341_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F133346589%2F The pattern is predictable. A few big-selling drugs face generic competition and drugmakers scramble to guard the gold. One way is to make it harder to pharmacists to switch. And that’s the tactic being pursued by the Epilepsy Foundation, which receives substantial funding from a few drugmakers and has pharma execs on its board, plus PhRMA’s Billy Tauzin. Four major brand-name drugs lose patent protection next year and 2010, but generated $5 billion in US sales last year, The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required). In May 2006, the foundation convened a committee that found a lack of authoritative studies showing that such drug switches cause problems, says its chairman, Steven Schachter, a Harvard Medical School neurologist. Nonetheless, the foundation still recom... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=734025 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:15:55 +0100 734025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729797&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Fchanneln.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fepileptic.html title Now Epilepticdescription "Epilepsy is something that's been a part of my life for the better part of a decade and this is one of the first tracks that kinda describes the feeling, even though not much of this guy's family background applies directly to me. I'm not looking for a[n] "awwww" or anything like that. It is just is one of those things."producer LiveVideo user dv8tion242featuring dv8tion242's MRI with audio track by Cottonmouth, Texas - Now Epilepticformat Flash embeddate unknownlength 00:03:45link http://www.livevideo.com/video/dv8tion242/C402C914D7A647A38D9CAFCA286F3C21/now-epileptic.aspxTags: webcast brain epilepsy neuroimaging (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729797 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:20:00 +0100 729797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=721386&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F07%2F09%2Fi-want-to-be-like-paris%2F I left my cell phone outside Sunday morning on the patio table when I was out with my dogs. On the missed call list a couple of hours later….SUNDAY MORNING: My kid 9:30am My Pdoc’s office 10:15am WTF? Had someone died? Was I missing my cheaper than the neurologist’s co-pay Topamax refill appointment? yes that is why I go, I know how to play ball. I called back to see if he had died, and got the recording…..the recording was dated Tuesday, July 3rd…”we will be out of the office until July 9th” Holy shit, they were making reminder calls on a Sunday morning because they took most of last week off. What assholes. Why am I calling them names? Because they assumed the crazies don’t go to church. (well I don’t, I hate getting up to have... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=721386 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:09:07 +0100 721386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=700743&cid=t_112341_133_f&fid=35119&url=http%3A%2F%2Frettdevil.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fpsychotic-liars-make-life-difficult.html The title says it all.The psychotic liar in question is Jerod Poore. Not much he says is true these days. I suggest avoiding like plague. Really. It's better for your health. I'm getting better already...seizures are down, food allergies too (wow! I'm NOT allergic to corn. Or soy. Or beans. hot DAMN! The man made it up. Munchausen by proxy much? Viva Taco Bell!!!!). I've gone from a child medium to a child large in clothing, woot. If only we could all get this better just by leaving a psychotic (medically) jackass's home because he likes locking people in the basement because he's 'depressed' (while mixing desipramine and tyrosine. Check out THAT norepinephrine action) and raping young girls then calling it consensual after the fact, just like SO many acquaintance rapists. Fine upstanding ... The Rettdevil's Rants blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=700743 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:14:00 +0100 700743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692644&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fautism-and-psychosis-mood-disorders-are.html Autism and Familial Major Mood Disorder: Are They Related?Comparison of Clinical Features of Autism and Major Mood Disorder"And it may not be amiss to think of autism, in some cases, as a chronic psychosis."~Mood Disorder in Idiopathic Autism"Even the regression that commonly heralds the onset of autism may be interpreted as the onset of depression, characterized not only by loss of language, but by social withdrawal, loss of eye contact, moodiness, tantrums, fearfulness, and occasionally self-injurious behavior. Later, in some children, the full expression of manic depression may become evident and is marked by extreme cyclicity of moods, oppositional/defiant behavior, hyperexcitement (e.g., hyperactivity, aggressiveness, rage), and vegetative signs of mania (e.g., decreased sleep, excess... soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=692644 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:00:00 +0100 692644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692325&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fcost-of-neurological-diseases-disorders.html From the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:Neurological conditions cost Canada nearly $9B a year: reportLast Updated: Friday, June 22, 2007 | 5:02 PM ET CBC News Neurological conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease cost Canada nearly $9 billion a year in direct costs, say neurologists who warn the health-care system may not be able to handle increased costs of an aging population.Early diagnosis of neurological diseases will help reduce long-term costs, says Dr. Charles Tator.Friday's report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, titled The Burden of Neurological Diseases, Disorders and Injuries in Canada is a consensus report by neurologists who tallied the costs of 11 conditions they treat:Alzheimer's disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) Bra... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=692325 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:10:00 +0100 692325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=683423&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F06%2F18%2Feverybody-must-get-stonedor-d-gets-an-mri%2F They’ll stone you when you’re trying to be so good Ativan makes me combative They’ll stone you just like they said they would ( I took 2 anyway) They’ll stone you when you’re trying to go home I had to do something, the Hannibal Lecter cage mask awaited me They’ll stone you when you’re there all alone That ain’t no shit, they were gonna clamp my head down and confine me But I would not feel so all alone :insert halo here: Desperate times folks (can you say take two percocets when you are not in pain? bad girl d, very bad) Everybody must get stoned They’ll stone you when you’re walking along the street That aiiinnn’t workin’ They’ll stone you when you’re trying to keep your seat So I took the last two... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=683423 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:03:12 +0100 683423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676583&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F06%2F08%2Fgsk-wants-me-to-save-andomg%2F ……what in the name of all that is holy do they want me to do with the disposable camera? I don’t recall seeing anything in the offer from Lamictal about them sending me a disposable camera. Since I’d have to have it developed, I’m assuming they do not want homegrown porn (or pron, as AC calls it…btw, still waiting for that Dick Pole post)   Sorry that the pic is blurry; but I think that has to do with me shaking with laughter while I was taking it. So, what to do with the camera? It says, “outdoors” and the offer was for epilepsy; so I’m assuming while enjoying seizure free living, I can snap some shots of….what?! My dogs? My neighbor’s squarepants hanging on the line? I need a scavenger hunt list. I wonder if they&#82... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676583 Fri, 08 Jun 2007 22:32:13 +0100 676583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=655571&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F06%2F03%2Fsuch-a-sordid-state-of-affairs%2F   And I’m caught right in the middle - torn between my loyalty to the boss and my desire to piss with the lights on Or something like that, is what my personal hero, Randal Graves said in Clerks. I guess that is a poor choice of words; but I like saying it. I have not even been on the computer much. While updating myself this morning here, I realized I had not told you why I have been absent….when I last left you ; I was telling you about how I’d been booted from “Club Bipolar” into “Club E” (that or just merged the two clubs together-don’t change the secret handshake just yet!) ….holy crap guys, that is NOT what has kicked my ass. My brain is screwed. I spent every day last week doing at least a doctor appointment a day…... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=655571 Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:49:37 +0100 655571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651907&cid=t_112341_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_anxiety_disorders_in_people_with_epilepsy.htm Epilepsy Behav. 2007;doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2007.04.012 A community study of the presence of anxiety disorder in people with epilepsy Seth A. Mensah SA, Beavis JM, Thapar AK, Kerr MP.Academic Department of Neuropsychiatry, Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, Wales, UK; Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Health Park, Cardiff CF14 4YS, Wales, UK; School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK Anxiety represents a major problem for people with epilepsy, and it is important to understand why it arises and how to reduce its potential debilitating and adverse effects. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety in a community-identified sample of people with epilepsy and to identify which demographic and clinical factors are ... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651907 Thu, 31 May 2007 06:35:00 +0100 651907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=645315&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35448&url=http%3A%2F%2Fseemedlikeagoodideathetime.com%2F2007%2F05%2F29%2Fplease-look-after%2F **dusts off neglected blog**   Things have been a bit crazy around here. I had not been ’round here for a couple of days and managed to mess up comments in the holding bin….(my apologies to anyone’s whose were lost in the snafu) one of which was a distress call of sorts from one of us….who could not get in yesterday. I don’t know who it was! Or what the WordPress problem is. AC is a bit laid up, I do know that. I am checking in….and will be back around by Friday now. Original plan was Thursday; but that has changed. This is the week of appointment hell and I had an MRI added to it today…scheduled for Thursday. (It beat the inpatient 24 hour EEG thing they had in mind….so I’m going with the open MRI) I’m not sure how much of t... bipolar chicks blogging blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=645315 Tue, 29 May 2007 20:52:05 +0100 645315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=638227&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=35077&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurophilosophy.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F25%2Fremembering-henry-m%2F The single most famous case study in the history of neuropsychology is that of an anonymous memory-impaired man usually referred to only by the initials H. M. This patient has one of the most severe cases of amnesia ever observed; he has been followed for over 40 years by more than 100 researchers, and is [...] (Source: Neurophilosophy) Neurophilosophy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=638227 Fri, 25 May 2007 22:51:33 +0100 638227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629281&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=35077&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurophilosophy.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F22%2Fa-neural-implant-for-epileptics%2F The Responsive Neurostimulator (RNS) is being developed by NeuroPace, a company based in Mountain View, California. The device, which is smaller than a playing card, is battery-powered and controlled by microprocessors. It is curved so that, like the cochlear implants on which it is modelled, it can fit into a small cavity carved out of [...] (Source: Neurophilosophy) Neurophilosophy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629281 Tue, 22 May 2007 17:02:37 +0100 629281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=592163&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fepilepsy-seizures-or-bipolar-disorder.html I am not the only one asking complex questions. Thank God.Time for a Specialist"Based on Patient's unique symptoms and poor response to medications prescribed up to this point, and nothing hopeful from Patient's doctors, we have reached a point of frustration. it appears we've exhausted our options locally with respect to finding a Physician with expertise in dealing with Patient's unique blend of symptoms. Considering the delicate nature of the situation with respect to potential damage occurring from taking wrong medications, we cannot afford to keep Patient on current medication for psychosis for long when we know Patient's seizures aren't being addressed and cognitive abilities are being strongly compromised by the current drug."--Orthomolecular Schizophrenia Protocol blog.Orthomolecul... soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=592163 Sun, 06 May 2007 01:06:00 +0100 592163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=590092&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=35077&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurophilosophy.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F04%2Fsaint-vituss-dance%2F After writing this recent post about Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s epilepsy, I decided it was time I re-read one of the great author’s novels, and chose The Idiot, because it contains Dostoyevsky’s most vivid descriptions of the epileptic aura. (It is widely believed that Dostoyevsky based the protagonist, Prince Myshkin, on himself.) I’m reading a Penguin Classics [...] (Source: Neurophilosophy) Neurophilosophy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=590092 Fri, 04 May 2007 17:13:46 +0100 590092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=588309&cid=t_112341_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F114038742%2Fgsks_lamictal_xr_found_effecti.html GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK)’s investigational once daily extended release formulation of Lamictal® (lamotrigine) - Lamictal® XR™ - has been found effective as add-on treatment in patients with partial epilepsy with and without secondary generalization. Currently, Lamictal® XR™ is being developed for the treatment of epilepsy and once approved will become the first extended release, new generation epilepsy treatment taken once-daily. The finding abovementioned was derived from data of two clinical trials recently presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting. According to Dean Naritoku, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL.: "These data are important because they show that the extended ... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=588309 Fri, 04 May 2007 04:12:06 +0100 588309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=568721&cid=t_112341_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fepilepsy-seizures-or-bipolar-disorder.html I believe there is a reason that psychiatrists cannot explain why Lamictal, or Depakote, etc.[anti-seizure meds] "help" or "treat" Bipolar Disorder. The brain is beyond complex, and the answers are elusive.Remain steadfast in the goal, the quest,and the ultimate answer. One day, we shall find that answer.Links:SeizuresPartial (focal) seizureBehavioral Issues in Pediatric EpilepsyPossible Temporal Lobe SymptomsComplex Partial Seizures Present Diagnostic ChallengeABDOMINAL EPILEPSYPSYCHOTROPIC EFFECTS OF ANTIEPILEPTICS HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR EPILEPSY AND BEYONDFrontal Lobe EpilepsyPsychiatric Disorders Associated With Epilepsy D- this one's for you. (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=568721 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 03:59:00 +0100 568721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=546396&cid=t_112341_122_f&fid=35077&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneurophilosophy.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F04%2F16%2Fdiagnosing-dostoyevskys-epilepsy%2F Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) is arguably the greatest novelist of all time. He cast a long shadow over world literature, and subsequently influenced many great writers, from Hermann Hesse, Marcel Proust and Franz Kafka, to Ernest Hemingway, Gabriel García Márquez and Jack Kerouac. Dostoyevsky had a profound insight into the human condition. He was much more than [...] (Source: Neurophilosophy) Neurophilosophy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=546396 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:44:36 +0100 546396