It is hereditary, but there's probably a good 20% chance of one of his children actually getting it.

If he is 72, then that must mean that you're old enough to know you probably don't have it. The rest is just psychological if you feel symptoms. Anxiety and stress is common with anyone. Don't stress it: chances are you don't have it.

Patrick

Yes - epilepsy can be inherited. My uncle was an epileptic and my grandmother used to be locked up for having "fits". Many famous (smart and intellegent) people were/are epileptics. Just love your dad and let your children and grand children know that epillepsy runs in the family and it is something they should watch for.

It probably is hereditary. That is just why I hate my mother so much. She should've aborted me, instead of having an epileptic child. And she complains sometimes when I get a seizure, and she has to stay home from work, or something. Imagine that. She says its my fault that I get seizures because I don't like to take my medication. It's her fault. Besides, she should have to pay something, too, shouldn't she? Why should I take those drugs, that destroy my kidneys, and liver just so that she doesn't have to look after me when I get a seizure. If she had just the sense to have an abortion, she did after all have me when she was sixteen, then maybe all this wouldn't be happening.

Epilepsy can be hereditary. Here is some information about epilepsy and genetics. (chromosome bands). I've also listed some other conditions related to those chromosome bands.


__________________________________________ ___________________
4p15 | epilepsy, partial, w pericentral spikes | (gene locus: epps)
4p15.3-p16.1 | bipolar disorder
4p16-p15.2 | systemic lupus erythematosus | (gene locus: sleb3)
__________________________________________ ___________________
10q25.3-q26.1 | epilepsy | (gene locus: emx2)
10q23.3-q24.1 | partial epilepsy | (gene locus: ept)
10q24 | partial epilepsy w. Auditory features | (gene locus: ept)
10q24-q26 | adhd | (adra2 a2-adrenergic receptor)
10q26 | bipolar disorder (susceptibility)
10q26 | schizophrenia
10q24.3 | pcos | (gene locus: cyp17)
__________________________________________ ___________________
15q13-14 | juvenile myoclonic epilepsy | (gene locus: chrna7)
15q11-q13 | angelman ayndrome, autism, autistic/asperger savant skills, epilepsy, bipolar disorder | (gaba-a receptor beta3 and alpha5 subunit gene cluster on chromosome)

15q13-14 | schizophrenia | (gene locus: chrna7)
__________________________________________ ___________________
16p13 | epilepsy,myoclonic,infantile | (gene locus: eim)
16p13.3 | tuberous sclerosis 2* | (gene locus: tsc2)
*tsc2 can include:epilepsy, autism, rosacea, renal & cardiac problems
16p13.3 | bipolar affective disorder | (gene locus: sstr5)
16p13.3 | systemic lupus erythematosus
16p13 | attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder | (gene locus: adhd)
16p13.3-p13.12 | polycystic kidney disease, pkd1 adult type I | (gene locus: pkd)
16p13.3 | pkd, infantile severe, with tuberous sclerosis | (gene locus: pkdts)
16p13-p12 | pseudohypoaldosteronism, type I | (gene locus: scnn1b)
__________________________________________ ___________________
19p13.1 | generalized and partial epilepsy | (gene locus: gefs)
19p13.1 | celiac disease | (gene locus: d19s899)
19p13.1 | rheumatoid arthritis | (il12rb1/interleukin 12 receptor, beta 1)
__________________________________________ ___________________
22q11-q12 | epilepsy, partial, with variable foci | (gene locus: fpevf)
22q11.2 deletion | bipolar; mixed state & rapid cycling | (gene locus: grk3)
22q11.2 | schizophrenia, susceptibility to
22q11-13 | schizophrenia, susceptibility to
22q11.21 | leukemia, chronic myeloid
22q11.21 | leukemia, acute lymphocytic
22q13.1 | autism, succinylpurinemic


sources:
http://www.Gene.Ucl.Ac.Uk/public-files/nom en/
http://www.Gene.Ucl.Ac.Uk/public-files/nom en/monthly-updates/
http://www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/htbin-post/omi m/getmap?
http://www.Cib.Nig.Ac.Jp/dda/backup/tendo/ genemap.Html
http://www.Mad-cow.Org/00/genbrow_table_co l.Html
http://www.Isat.Jmu.Edu/users/klevicca/neu roconn/genetable.Html
http://www.Chr7.Org/tableview.Asp?Table=di seasegenes.Tab
http://genecards.Weizmann.Ac.Il/geneloc/

I know this forum is old, however, I just can't help responding. Persian85033, I have a question, how would your mom know that you were going to have epilepsy before you were born? Can they tell these things when you are still a fetus? Sometimes children don't start having seizures until they get a little older. Also, put yourself in her shoes, would it be soo easy for you to get an abortion? And it is your fault if you don't take your medicine, you know you will have seizures if you don't take your meds. You can't go through life blaming other people for things. I think you should try to be more understanding of your mother. Deciding to get an abortion is not as easy as you may think. Also, my husband is epileptic, and as long as he takes his meds he is fine. I think you should be thankful that they had medicine to help with your seizures. There are some things that could be worse.

Persian. I am so sorry you have such pain in life!! I hope you can find relief and peace......

Yes!!!! It is hereditary.....For many years I was told no it wasn't.
Because my worse nightmare as a mom is for one of my kids to have to go through what I do.
I didn't officially get labeled with epilepsy until after the birth of my second daughter.
When all the "weird" things started happening to me I was told I had everything from pinched nerves to heart problems until I seized so bad that my tongue and cheek required stitches. It took several years for the doctors to come to their conclusion.
Try being a mom of a 3 year old and a baby and dealing with this, once the first grand mal came it seemed real real easy for them some out.
I decided I wouldn't take the chance and have anymore kids, and for more than 14 years I was told it was not hereditary, until my youngest went into puberty and started haveing weird funny feelings and staring off into space and her eyes/lip twitching. Now the doctors have all changed there minds.
When my oldest daughter(21) had her baby last summer they were very concerned about the big hormone change of giving birth and the chance of it causing her to have problems too. Because when she was 2 she had ferbrile seizures when she was hot.
I have often debated the topic of hormones and seizures with the docs, now there starting to show some concern and listening.
Because for females in one family to have seizures and it starts around when there is a big hormone change in there body there has to be a connection.

Now, persian85033
as much as I hate being this way and I have been this way a lot longer than you have.
You need to get quit blaming your mom, just because she was young when she had you does not mean that that is why you have seizures. Noone like taking the meds, they all suck and have side effects galore. But if they work and help take them.
Your only hurting your self by not doing so........
Trust me I have learned the hard way.

Yes it can be inherited genetically but there are many other cuses for epilepsy. One can be hits to the back of the neck, severe brain infection, having multiple concussions, and other illnesses that make one run a fever over 101. Contact the epilepsy foundation ,they will be happy to answer any questions you have. Yes, the medications can cause side affects, and sometimes those that cause other severe medical problems. Not taking your medicine is not only dangerous for you but also for others.
Leslie

my husband has seizures will our children still be likely to have them????

As far I know yes you get it from parents.