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SUDEP risk factors and my wakeup call

SUDEP RF
SUDEP Risk Factors from Alica Goldman, MD, PhD’s presentation at ANA annual meeting in 2013

I got a wake up call when I attended the American Neurological Association’s Annual Meeting. At the meeting I heard Alica Goldman, MD, PhD, of Baylor College of Medicine present her research on SUDEP or Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. She began her talk with a note on how the incidence of SUDEP is grossly underestimated and could affect a range of 5% to 18% people with epilepsy.

When applied worldwide, we are looking at a range of 3,250,000 to 11,700,000 deaths.

In the US that translates to a range of 121,000 to 396,000 deaths each year.

Additionally, people with epilepsy are 24 times more likely to die than the general population. But that wasn’t what blew me away.

SUDEP Risk Factors

I sat in shock as she presented her findings on the risk factors associated with SUDEP as determined from animal studies. I had always understood that SUDEP was something that only impacted people who had refractory epilepsy. But if Dr. Goldman’s animal models hold true in humans, then I was misled.

According to Goldman’s animal model research, increased risk factors include the following:

  • Polytherapy (on more than one anticonvulsant)
  • Long duration of treatment
  • Gender (males at slightly higher risk)

Neuro-Cardiac Connection

She also spent a great deal of time focused on the role of the neuro-cardiac connection. When someone is pronounced dead it is known that the person has stopped breathing or the heart has stopped. It is also known that seizures are associated with prolonged and severe respiratory depression. I have to admit, the science on this is a bit over my head. However, Maromi Nei, MD, published a piece that dovetails nicely with Dr. Goldman’s research.

My Wakeup Call

The risk factors were too familiar for my comfort level.

  1. I am also on more than one medication to control my seizures.
  2. I have been on anticonvulsants for more than half my life and will be on them forever.
  3. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I have a family history of cardiac disease.

The only thing working in my favor right now is that I am a woman!

I can’t do anything about the polytherapy. I can’t do anything about the duration of treatment. But I can improve my cardiac and lung function.

Translation: I need to start running. ugh

Running2liveIMG_3593

Every time I think about running I am overwhelmed with dread. You would think I would be out there every day, right? No, I am a body at rest. (you know, a body in motion will remain in motion, while a body at rest– oh you get it.)

Recently, my husband suggested I might want to blog about my reason for running and my progress. He offered it as a motivator, I of course took it to a new (unnecessarily complicated) level.

I’m going to add a section of the site called Running2live and keep you all in the loop on how I’m doing. DON’T expect a lot. It is really cold here. And I REALLY hate running.

But I love my husband and daughter and want to spend as much time with them as I can. Any suggestions are welcome!!

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Founder and CEO Jessica brings a unique perspective to this leading epilepsy blog as she was diagnosed with epilepsy as a teen. She also brings 20+ years experience in marketing.

2 Responses

  1. fafjlkl
    | Reply

    I’m in your ‘running shoes’..

    • Jessica Keenan Smith
      | Reply

      Thanks! It’s good to know I’m not alone. I plan to keep you guys up to date on my progress. (for better or for worse)
      Best – J

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