Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Case Study

A nineteen year old female was admitted into the emergency department she had started to notice experiences of convulsion during her morning jogs. She notes that whenever she experiences flashing light such as that of emanating from leaves in trees or from cars passing by caused her to lose consciousness for a short period of time. As such, she has attempts to avoid running through areas that have this type of lighting during sunny days. Additionally, she claims that in the morning her hands can occasionally become unable and often times can drop items she holds. Evaluation in the emergency department documented a twenty minute duration of confusion similar to that of a postictal state. Further evaluation noted that blood count, electrolytes, rental function and CT scan of the individuals head were normal. After being evaluated, the patient had been referred to a neurologist for further evaluation.
The neurologist continues the patient’s evaluation through the patient’s history.
The patient states that her father has had a history of at least two unprovoked convulsions when she was a child. With all the information that was obtained, the physician concludes that the patients history of seizures that were related to photosensitivity, muscle jerkiness in the morning similar to that of myoclonic seizures and a convulsive seizure the neurologist makes an initial diagnostic of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. An electroencephalogram test was administered and demonstrated intermittent four to six hertz spikes, characteristic of generalized spikes of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy individuals that confirm the initial diagnosis. Give this the neurologist recommended low dosage administration of Lamotrigine, an anticonvulsant used for the treatment of epilepsy in order to control her
seizures.
Being that general epilepsy is genetically inherited, it can be concluded that her father has also suffers from the disease. With this consideration, the patient must remain aware of this not only in herself, but in her family or potential offspring’s as well. Although anticonvulsive medication is available to subside the convulsive nature of the disease, it is critical for the patients to consider the potential risk that are associated with. For this patient in particular, she must consider the affects Lamotrigine has on the development as it contributes towards birth defects. Both the genetic and medication risk can significantly influence the patient’s decision on whether or not to conceive and if she would want to continue on medication. Therefore, the condition would potentially impact life choices and her family if the patient must make a decision in regards to wanting to have a family or not.