Hi Jim, 
There is quite a lot of information on the ketogenic diet for controlling
epilepsy in drug resistant seizures. 
This is a pretty good starting place for learning about it: 
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/general/ketogeni.htm

Reports early in the twentieth century indicated that seizures could be
stopped through fasting. That, of course, was a limited-term solution so
some researchers (whose names I forget) developed a diet that would come to
be known as a ketogenic diet, which simulated some elements of fasting
without starvation. It shifts to relying on free fatty acids and ketone
bodies (a metabolic by-product of burning fats) for all cellular energy. The
result is that seizures are much better controlled and without the hazards
and side effects of surgery and drugs. 

To some, it appears to be a most unhealthy diet, yet there is a considerable
body of evidence supporting this diet as a healthy one for humans. From the
Inuit's' traditional eating patterns, to reports of Stefansson & Anderson's
11 year experience of following the same diet, to its use in the treatment
of epilepsy, to its current, experimental use in treating insulin sensitive
cancers, the ketogenic diet has repeatedly been shown to promote good health
while it remedies some specific health problems, including drug resistant
seizures. 

A movie or television show was made about One family's experience with this
which, I believe, gave birth to the Charlie Foundation
http://www.charliefoundation.org/ . The parents depicted in the movie/show
were threatened with court action that would lead to apprehension and
removal of their son from the parents' care if they pursued the ketogenic
dietary treatment. They persisted, and their son's condition went into
remission. The movie/show has given this form of treatment a much higher
profile and it has gained much wider acceptance since. It is a powerful,
true story that is worth seeing. I believe the title is "First Do No Harm".
Unfortunately I was only able to see part of the movie and have looked at
several video stores since in a vain effort to find and rent it. I read on
some website that it was a made-for-television movie so that may explain why
I haven't been able to find it. I would welcome information if anyone knows
how I can get a copy of the movie.  

With respect to Emily, the diet might be an option worth considering. 

Best Wishes,    

Ron Hoggan, Ed. D.
co-author Dangerous Grains ISBN: 978158333-129-3 www.dangerousgrains.com 
author: Get the Iron Edge: a complete guide for meeting your iron needs
ISBN: 978-0-9736284-4-9 www.ironedge.info
author Smarten Up! ISBN: 978-0-9736284-3-2 www.smartenup.info           
editor: Scott-Free Newsletter www.celiac.com

"Objectivity is the prerogative of objects."


 
 
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paleolithic Eating Support List 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of 
> [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 7:31 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Emily
> 
> Friends, I found the recent discussion of epilepsy and 
> ketogenic diets rather timely.  My cousin Bridget has a 
> daughter named Emily who has had seizure for years.  Please 
> read below.  Suggestions, thoughts, prayers appreciated for 
> this sweet little girl.
> 
> Jim Swayze
> www.fireholecanyon.com
> 
> 
> >
> > 
> > Wanted to update you about Emily.  We have had a major set 
> back and have received some devastating news regarding her prognosis.
> > 
> > Emily had a massive seizure on Wednesday just after lunch.  
> I had decided that morning to keep her at home from school. 
> Stephany (our nanny who is such a blessing to our family) and 
> I were home with the kids.  Emily began to have a seizure 
> that started out small and continued to build into the 
> biggest seizure she has ever had that would not stop.  Emily 
> was rushed to Children's Medical Center by ambulance.  The 
> doctors in ER had a very hard time stopping her seizure.  It 
> was a life threatening tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure that 
> lasted over 1 hour.  It was horrible. 
> > 
> > Emily was admitted to Children's for many tests to find out 
> what had changed in her brain to cause such a violent 
> seizure. The final report from Emily's neurologist was not good.
> > 
> > The MRI showed that Emily's brain is actually shrinking 
> (cerebral atrophy) thus destroying brain cells (the loss of 
> neurons and the connections between them).  As it decreases 
> in size the empty space is being filled by fluid.  This will 
> directly affect her cognitively.  There is no treatment for this. 
> > 
> > In addition, Emily's EEG test revealed that this seizure 
> was on the left side of her brain.  The last EEG test in 
> September showed a large seizure in the right side of her 
> brain.  Emily is having seizures from both sides of her brain 
> (called multifocal epilepsy).  This is the most severe form 
> of epilepsy.  The hard part of this is that these seizures 
> continue and we are running out of options regarding 
> medicines.   Emily has undergone 4 major brain surgeries 
> including removal of part of her left brain to control 
> seizures.  Because her seizures are coming from different 
> sides of her brain another surgery is not an option for 
> seizure control. 
> > 
> > We are heartbroken but are thankful that we are home and 
> have our Emily.  Al and I have to make some important 
> decisions regarding what we do next.  We meet back with the 
> neurologist in two weeks. 
> > 
> > Thank you for your love, prayers and support.  We want to 
> make sure we keep things positive for Emily.  Please 
> understand it is best that we communicate via email or text 
> so that Emily does not overhear the specifics.  We have told 
> her that she had a seizure but nothing more.  It will take 
> Emily several weeks to recover from this seizure.  We will 
> continue to update you as we receive new information.
> > 
> > Bridget
>