Patient's question:
Epilepsy. Last November, the child had facial twitching and went to the hospital for a thorough examination, which confirmed focal epilepsy. The dosage of oxcarbazepine tablets was increased to 1.5 tablets each morning and evening. However, it still had a recurrence once a month, with significant side effects such as difficulty sleeping and irritability. Therefore, the medication was stopped in September this year. After stopping the medication, it had a recurrence about once a month, but now it occurs every few days. There were two instances where both hands and feet trembled. The question is whether to start taking the medication directly or go to the hospital for a thorough examination first to choose the right medication. Because of the concern about delaying the child's practice, the plan is to come to see you after the school starts. An appointment has already been made, but there were recurrences on the nights of September 11th, 12th, and 13th, which is causing great worry!Doctor's answer:
After being diagnosed with epilepsy, medication must be taken on time and in the prescribed dosage. It is absolutely crucial not to reduce or stop the medication arbitrarily, nor to miss any doses. Regular blood drug concentration tests and liver function tests should also be conducted. Once the seizures are well-controlled for 3 to 5 years, medication should be gradually reduced under the guidance of a doctor. If medication is stopped independently, some patients may not only experience a recurrence but also find that existing medication becomes ineffective in controlling the seizures. It is recommended that you visit a hospital for a thorough examination as soon as possible and do not miss the opportunity to address the condition.