EL's Seizures & Brain Tumor

In March 2013, our autistic daughter, EL (age 14 at the time), began having visible seizures. After a visit with her Pediatrician, the doctor recommended we see a Neurologist, who then scheduled her for a sleep-deprived EEG. It showed epileptiform discharges, so EL was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and began taking medication.

She was also scheduled for a sedated MRI to see if they could find a cause for the seizures. Two masses were found on the MRI - one in the Pituitary Gland, and one in the Pineal Gland. The mass in her pineal gland is said to be a fluid-filled cyst, and has possibly been there for a good length of time. The one in her pituitary is a non-active tumor, and no treatment is necessary at this time; however, the doctors are keeping a close eye on it. Neither mass is the cause of her epileptic seizures. There is still no known cause for those, but they are currently being controlled with medication. You can read the progression of tests and results in the following blog posts.

• June 2013: EL's Sleep-Deprived EEG
• July 2013: Preparing for Her 1st MRI
• 1st MRI Results
• August 2013: Her 2nd MRI
• November 2013: Her 3rd MRI 
• March 2014: A Possible Sleep Disorder
• EL Has Mild Sleep Apnea
• Good Reports for EL, and a Sleep Apnea Update
• November 2014: EL's 4th MRI and A Bladder Problem 
• Good News:  EL's Lab Tests Were Normal
• Update on EL's Bladder Issues  
• October 2015: EL's Seizures Keep Returning 
• Update on EL's Seizures 
• October 2016: EL's 5th MRI and a Visual Test 
• July 2018: EL is Two Years Seizure-Free! 
• November 2018: A Good Report on EL's 6th MRI