I wanna know!
How do you treat epilepsy?
There are 4 ways to treat epilepsy:
- Antiepileptic (anticonvulsant) drug therapy
- Vagus nerve stimulation
- Ketogenic diet
- Surgery
Medication for epilepsy
Medicine is the most common treatment for epilepsy. Medication cannot cure epilepsy, but it can control your seizures in more than 70% of people with epilepsy. Before prescribing antiepileptic drug therapy, your doctor reviews a number of factors:
- What type of seizures do you have?
- How often do you have seizures?
- What drugs are best for someone of your age and weight?
- What other medication are you taking?
- What other medical conditions do you have?
After selecting a medication to treat your seizures, your doctor will figure out how much of it you'll need- the right dosage to control seizures. Usually, the dosage is gradually adjusted until your seizures are controlled without side effects.
Help your doctor to find the medication that's right for you
Everybody reacts differently to medication. If you have side effects, your doctor may change your medication to get it right for you.
- Pay attention to how your body reacts to medication
- Take notes of any changes, even if they're not related to your medication
- Be honest with your doctor - with team work, you can find what's right for you!
Take your medication!
It's the best way to live with epilepsy. When your seizures are controlled, you can hang with your friends, drive, do sports - and more. Keep your seizures under control, so you can enjoy life!
Most common side effects
- Drowsiness
- Weight gain or loss
- Learning and/or attention deficit disorders
- Sleep disturbances
- Dizziness
- Tremors
- Poor coordination
- Allergic reactions (e.g., rash)
Make the most of your medication
- Use self-discipline. Control your epilepsy - don't allow it to control you
- Stick to a schedule - use a pill box to remind you
- Never stop taking your medicine suddenly. It's dangerous. Talk to your doctor first
- Be patient! You'll probably have to try different drugs before finding the right one
- If you take any other medications or supplements, ask your doctor or pharmacist about drug interactions
- Ask about side effects
- Always refill your prescription on time
What's vagus nerve stimulation?
If your seizures don't respond to drug therapy, vagus nerve stimulation may work for you. To stimulate your vagus nerve - a nerve that carries signals from your brain to your body - doctors implant a flat, round device (like a pacemaker) under the skin of your upper chest below the collarbone (between your neck and shoulders). Every few minutes, it sends electrical energy to the vagus nerve. A computer and programming wand control the implant. You can activate it with a small magnet that you carry in your pocket which may stop the seizure at its onset.
Side effects
- Hoarseness
- Discomfort and /or tickling in the throat
- Voice change in tone, until the stimulation cycle ends
- Risk of infection from surgery (1% to 2% of patients)
- Chest tightening
- Cough
What's the KETOGENIC DIET?
When seizures don't respond to drug therapy, a doctor may recommend this high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. It is not often recommended for teenagers. It causes metabolic changes in your body. NEVER start it on your own - without supervision. This very strict diet may be harmful, if not followed properly. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist.
How it works
- Blood sugar levels will be closely monitored
- A certified nutritionist carefully calculates food intake
- At first, blood sugar level are checked every 4 to 6 hours
- You must take sugar-free vitamins and calcium
- You must weigh and record all food
- You must drink lots of water or caffeine-free soda
Side effects
- Kidney stones
- Poor immune response
- Low blood sugar
Questions about SURGERY?
Epilepsy surgery - removing small bits of abnormal brain tissue - is an option when drug therapy doesn't help. When seizures make your life miserable - when you can't live a normal life or concentrate at home or school - your doctor may suggest surgery.
Only a small number of people with uncontrolled seizures are considered for epilepsy surgery. Beforehand, your doctor needs to know whether:
- You have partial seizures.
- Seizures always come from a particular spot in your brain.
- That specific spot can be removed without damaging your speech or movement.