Might be a tough question to get a definitive answer to, but if you were just about to start medications, which one would you try first in terms of the least side affects? My daughter, who previously only had two seizures exactly one year apart, had another small one a few days ago. I have full belief that it was due to her staying up until 1am two nights in a row (fireworks one night, and then stayed up with grandparents until we got home from a concert) when she usually goes to bed at 9:45. She also didn’t get her nightly melatonin either of those nights, which I read that I’m for some people melatonin can help reduce the frequency of seizures.

Anyway, she has her first neurologist appointment next month and per her PCP, we think it would be best to either see how we can manage without medication or an EEG because she is homeschooled and either I or another trusted family member is with her 24/7, or at least get her started on a medication without the struggle of doing an EEG. All of this is, of course, only if her seizures continue to be far apart and we keep triggers away from her (we are not super stressed because her mom also had infrequent seizures as a kid/teen, plus me, my wife, and my mom all have background dealing with epileptic children) and although kinda crappy, I am also thankful that all of our lives have been filled with medical problems from multiple sources so my anxiety levels are low.

ANYWAY sorry for that tangent there. In my mind I think lamictal would be the best option to start with, since her mom was on lamictal for years and the only side affect she had was sun sensitivity. Never got the rash, no noticeable mood changes and was only extra sleepy for a few weeks after starting it. I just get so nervous hearing about behavioral/emotional problems from some of these medications, because my daughter already has severe ADHD and already has struggles with managaing her behavior and emotions. I can’t imagine the stress it would cause her, and us, if it got any worse. But are there any other options we could ask about that seem to have, generally speaking, the least severe side affects?

Also a little background on her. She is 8, severe ADHD with low level autism symptoms, and was born 32-33 weeks premature. The biggest reason we aren’t extremely concerned is because her mom grew out of childhood seizures, our daughter is with someone all the time, and she also doesn’t like to do anything that would put her at a significant risk of injury if a seizure happens, like riding bikes or playing on playgrounds. She’s a big nerd (I say that lovingly haha) and loves drawing and coding on the computer. Again, if things get worse then yes of course every test available will be done. Please don’t hate on me for the steps we are taking.