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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is A Tonic–clonic Seizure?

I have epilepsy. Can you explain to me what a tonic-clonic seizure is. I take epitol and it works very well for me but I have been told how bad it can be for your liver and there are better drugs out there that do the same but don t have that many side-effects. I m afraid to try another drug because I don t want to have start having seizures again. Am I wrong for feeling this way?
Mon, 13 Feb 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello! Thank you for using Health Care Magic.
I have gone through your question and I understand your concern.

A tonic -clonic seizure ( Grand mal) is a type of seizure where all your brain produce electrical signals ( wrong signals, abnormal discharge of cerebral neurons due to cortical hyperexcitability) and there are send in your muscles and all the body .It's called tonic clonic because 2 phases happens :a)the tonic one -begin with flexion of the trunk and all the muscles of the legs and arms ( contracting ),usually this stage last for 10-20second ,all your body is rigid . b)clonic phase -in this stage The muscles relax and all your body will move ,uncontrolled jerking .until it stops .Both stages last 1-2minutes.If it last more than 5 minutes ,need medical care.

-For the drug You have Epitol (Carbamazepine )..it's a very good drug for the seizure( the first one in line to start with) .As many drugs has his own side effect but this does not mean that you will have it .You can check your liver by doing blood test to rule out any effect of this drug.
-If you want to change the drug for any possible side effect I the old one don't protect from seizure anymore ,While you start the new one you will keep taking the ok one for some days until the new drug takes place,in this way you will be covered .You will be protected from the possible seizure while you do the change in therapy.Your treating doctor will decide in this case which will be the new drug and how to switch.

Take Care !
Dr Balliu

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What Is A Tonic–clonic Seizure?

Hello! Thank you for using Health Care Magic. I have gone through your question and I understand your concern. A tonic -clonic seizure ( Grand mal) is a type of seizure where all your brain produce electrical signals ( wrong signals, abnormal discharge of cerebral neurons due to cortical hyperexcitability) and there are send in your muscles and all the body .It s called tonic clonic because 2 phases happens :a)the tonic one -begin with flexion of the trunk and all the muscles of the legs and arms ( contracting ),usually this stage last for 10-20second ,all your body is rigid . b)clonic phase -in this stage The muscles relax and all your body will move ,uncontrolled jerking .until it stops .Both stages last 1-2minutes.If it last more than 5 minutes ,need medical care. -For the drug You have Epitol (Carbamazepine )..it s a very good drug for the seizure( the first one in line to start with) .As many drugs has his own side effect but this does not mean that you will have it .You can check your liver by doing blood test to rule out any effect of this drug. -If you want to change the drug for any possible side effect I the old one don t protect from seizure anymore ,While you start the new one you will keep taking the ok one for some days until the new drug takes place,in this way you will be covered .You will be protected from the possible seizure while you do the change in therapy.Your treating doctor will decide in this case which will be the new drug and how to switch. Take Care ! Dr Balliu