About two years ago Jack’s lower lip began to feel tingly and his face began to twitch. This lasted only a few seconds, yet a week later he suffered a seizure. Two weeks after that, the tingling returned, followed by another seizure. This time Jack lost consciousness.

A brain MRI came out normal yet an EEG¹ showed brain activity consistent with a condition known as benign focal epilepsy of childhood. Jack was prescribed anticonvulsant medication yet soon required an increase in the dosage. From time to time, he continued to experience numbness and tingling in his lips and in the right side of his face, although thankfully no more seizures.

Jack’s father, Robert, was relieved that the medication seemed to be working, but so many questions remained, and the family lived with the stress of not knowing if and when another seizure might occur. Robert was also worried about his son’s long-term prognosis. Would he have to keep taking medication for life? How would he know when to stop or change the dosage? And was medication the only treatment option?

With so many questions and wanting to make sure he had covered absolutely everything for his son, Robert reached out to Best Doctors.

From start to finish, the service was fantastic. There was frequent and open communication with the Best Doctors team, and I was really impressed to receive a report from such an experienced specialist.

-Robert

The Best Doctors team brought Jack’s case to a leading paediatric neurologist specializing in child epilepsy. The expert agreed with the diagnosis and did not feel that any further testing was necessary beyond regular monitoring with Jack’s treating neurologist. If the seizures started again, he recommended a repeat EEG, prolonged 24-hour study and repeat blood testing.

The expert reassured Robert that the vast majority of children outgrew this type of epilepsy regardless of treatment. In his opinion, if Jack’s seizures were brief in duration and he was not in pain, his current treatment plan was entirely appropriate. Nonetheless, the expert made sure that Robert was aware that there were many other treatment options available if need be, and went carefully over each one, explaining their possible advantages and disadvantages. He also encouraged Robert to screen his son for possible learning or motor difficulties, just to be sure that these were not affected.

Jack is now doing very well. Robert shared the expert report with Jack’s neurologist and together they have decided to monitor him for two years and then begin to decrease his medication. Consulting Best Doctors has given Robert immense huge peace of mind and, as both a father and a financial advisor, he is convinced of its value for anyone coming to terms with a medical condition for themselves or their loved ones.

My employment involves me discussing value for money with customers in the purchase of their insurance. Having experienced Best Doctors first hand, I cannot recommend the service highly enough.

-Robert

¹ A test measuring the brain's electrical activity