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- Epilepsy and the Workplace - Amanda's Story
- Fitness, Sports, and Epilepsy - "Mighty Mike's" Story
- Coping with Difficult to Treat Epilepsy - Martha's Story
- An Active Senior With Epilepsy - Dessa's Story
- Living A Life With Epilepsy - Mark's Story
| Name: | Dessa |
| Hometown: | Miami, FL |
| Age: | 60 |
| Diagnosed: | Age 35 |
| Current Treatment: | Zonegran® (zonisamide) capsules; adjunctive therapy for partial seizures |
| Physician: | Dr. R. Eugene Ramsay, Miami School of Medicine To read more about Dessa’s physician, click here. |
AN ACTIVE SENIOR WITH EPILEPSY - DESSA'S STORY
Dessa was dining at a local restaurant with her husband, when she lost consciousness and felt as though she “floated away from the table.” Although she didn’t know it then, Dessa was experiencing her first epileptic seizure, more than 25 years ago.
After experiencing the frightening floating sensation a second time, Dessa saw a neurologist. After several tests, he was unable to provide a diagnosis and told her to “live with her condition,” causing Dessa to go untreated for a year. But her seizures continued, and so she continued to pursue treatment. But neither physicians nor various medications helped her condition. Finally, Dessa found Dr. Ramsay at the University of Miami and immediately made an appointment with him. Dr. Ramsay enrolled Dessa in a clinical trial for a new drug to treat epilepsy, called Zonegran®.
Zonegran significantly reduced Dessa’s seizures and helped to give back the control in her life that she feels epilepsy had taken. Dr. Ramsay continued to prescribe Zonegran for Dessa following its approval by the FDA. While other drugs she tried caused weight gain, sleepiness and nervousness, Zonegran did not cause further weight gain, and additionally helped to control her seizures.
“Zonegran has been wonderful for me,” said Dessa. “Epilepsy changes your life completely, and the only way to gain back some control is to take an active role in your treatment, and consult with your doctor to find the treatment that works best for you.”
Dessa worked for 20 years in electronics while taking Zonegran. She retired in 2000, and now spends as much time as possible with her three grandchildren. Dr. Ramsay is pleased with Dessa’s results and shares in her success. “Epilepsy has been misunderstood for ages, and Dessa’s story shows us that. But by taking an active role in her treatment, Dessa and I found the treatment that worked best for her.”
Click here to view or download full ZONEGRAN prescribing and safety information