John Travolta's Teen Son Dies

[ZoeBird]

I hate to bring it up though but I will.

I wonder if he received medication for his seizures. The whole Scientology thing bothers me. It is one thing if you are doing everything possible for your child, another if you are ignoring things (like medication) that may help them.

Just wonder.

I read that he had been on seizure medication in the past, but was taken off of it when the side effects began to outweigh the benefits of the medicine.

Don't remember where I read it, but it was in one of the articles I read today.

 

[gauchecritic]

My mom has had epileptic seizures. I know they are a terrible thing to suffer through- for the person having one and the observer.

Excepting post seizure embarrassment (possibly muscular aches and pains after a tonic/clonic attack) I don't think epileptics actually suffer anything during a seizure.

But it is definitely horrible to witness a classic 'grande mal'.

 

[gauchecritic]

I read that he had been on seizure medication in the past, but was taken off of it when the side effects began to outweigh the benefits of the medicine.

Don't remember where I read it, but it was in one of the articles I read today.

Some forms of epilepsy can be controlled by diet, amazing as that may seem. Many forms of childhood epilepsy can be treated as-and-when.

Some side effects of epilepsy medication can induce epilepsy.

Childhood epilepsy can sometimes be treated as a childhood illness when, after a time, the medication can be dispensed with altogether.

Doctors (up to press) approach epilepsy in a reactive manner and treat what they can observe. After that, it's all guesswork.

 

[AchtungNight]

My mom does suffer during convulsions. It messes up her brain chemistry and can result in injuries if she falls. Because of the Dilantin she takes to suppress the problem, she has memory and stress issues. She can't drive. There was another medication (she's off it now) which gave her chronic fatigue and headaches. Epilepsy is a bad disorder.

 

[gauchecritic]

My mom does suffer during convulsions. It messes up her brain chemistry and can result in injuries if she falls. Because of the Dilantin she takes to suppress the problem, she has memory and stress issues. She can't drive. There was another medication (she's off it now) which gave her chronic fatigue and headaches. Epilepsy is a bad disorder.

I would never argue that an epileptic condition doesn't mean suffering in various forms. I was speaking about during an actual attack. In my varied experience and research an epilepsy victim actually 'experiences' nothing that is recalled.

 

[tickledkitty]

But, but . . . they're celebrities, after all. Don't they exist for our prurient entertainment?


And journalists wonder why they're public esteem is below used car salesmen.

No, as a matter of fact, they do not. Their JOBS are to entertain us, but their private lives should be of very little interest. I mean, my God, can you imagine being under scrutiny every freaking minute of your life? They can't even run to the supermarket without a frenzied pack of vultures following them, without people yakking about them on Internet message boards. It's so sad. The whole thing. We don't KNOW these people or their families. Watching their movies does not make you their friend.

 

[AchtungNight]

Sorry, gauche. Epilepsy is a personal issue for me. My mom had her first seizure two years before I was born. She prayed for the ability to bear healthy children and I was the result. The woman has never let me forget it. Especially not after the times I've held her hand on trips to the neurosurgeons.

 

[slyc_willie]

No, as a matter of fact, they do not. Their JOBS are to entertain us, but their private lives should be of very little interest. I mean, my God, can you imagine being under scrutiny every freaking minute of your life? They can't even run to the supermarket without a frenzied pack of vultures following them, without people yakking about them on Internet message boards. It's so sad. The whole thing. We don't KNOW these people or their families. Watching their movies does not make you their friend.

Thank you.

Too many people seem to think that once someone becomes a celebrity, they automatically forfeit the right to a personal life.

On topic . . . just saw an article on Jett Travolta's death. Indications are that he was under supervision and may even have died in John's arms.

Let the dead lie, people. Grieve for the families and let it go.

 

[gauchecritic]

Sorry, gauche. Epilepsy is a personal issue for me. My mom had her first seizure two years before I was born. She prayed for the ability to bear healthy children and I was the result. The woman has never let me forget it. Especially not after the times I've held her hand on trips to the neurosurgeons.

No need for apologies AN it's just another example of interwebs miscommunication but it does point up how illness doesn't only affect the person that's ill.