Epilepsy & Other issues Part 2 Joe Haney

Supplements of sustaining epilepsy Vitamins Surgery Medication Support Groups Medical Plans E-Journal Diet Plan

Break through seizures Breakthrough seizures have their own unique set of potential etiologies that should be carefully considered by the clinician, as I will discuss later. One important factor that clinicians may forget to examine is the possibility of non-adherence to (non-compliance with) prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). While adherence to medication is important in all disorders, it is especially important in epilepsy as non-adherence can lead to the emergence of breakthrough seizures and all of the associated complications. Patient factors include the onset of an infection, severe emotional stress, sleep deprivation, or metabolic events such as a decrease in sodium levels or severe changes in blood sugar level.

Break through seizures Provocative factors such as flashing lights or playing video games have also been known to induce a seizure. For example, the introduction of an agent that induces hepatic metabolism can lower the level of some AEDs metabolized in the liver, leading to higher risk for a seizure.

Seizure free days No seizures that day May not have a seizure for years Take a moment to celebrate – Go out to eat or make a special dinner – Go shopping for clothes, items, or food – Go to the park & have a picnic Be glad you didn’t have a seizure for a while

Epilepsy and fundraiser 2014 New York City Reception – Wednesday, October 29, pm - 8pm Cornhole for a CURE – Saturday, November 1, am Pose for a CURE – Tuesday, November 4, Thursday, November 27, 2014 Bag A CURE – Handbag Auction and Scotch & Sports – Saturday, November 8, 2014 CURE 2014 Boston Benefit – Thursday, November 13, 2014 Epilepsy Awareness Yard Sale

Epilepsy Guide Epilepsy Health Center – Symptoms & Types Diagnosis & Tests Treatments & Cares Living & Managing Support & Resources

Epilepsy and related stories People’s experience – Hear from the people affected by epilepsy in their own words. – People with epilepsy talk about their experiences. – News and Features Related to Epilepsy – And more Link: stories#.VEruu_nF-So

Epilepsy and disability plan When making this determination, your claims examiner will not only analyze your medical condition and symptoms, but will also consider other factors, including: your age your level of education your transferrable work skills any other medical/psychiatric conditions that affect your ability to work, and any restrictions that your doctor has given you, such as no driving, no working around machinery, etc.

Epilepsy and Education Education and Employment By law, people with epilepsy or other handicaps in the United States cannot be denied employment or access to any educational, recreational, or other activity because of their seizures. However, one survey showed that only about 56 percent of people with epilepsy finish high school and about 15 percent finish college — rates much lower than those for the general population. The same survey found that about 25 percent of working-age people with epilepsy are unemployed. These numbers indicate that significant barriers still exist for people with epilepsy in school and work. Restrictions on driving limit the employment opportunities for many people with epilepsy, and many find it difficult to face the misunderstandings and social pressures they encounter in public situations. Antiepileptic drugs also may cause side effects that interfere with concentration and memory. Children with epilepsy may need extra time to complete schoolwork, and they sometimes may need to have instructions or other information repeated for them. Teachers should be told what to do if a child in their classroom has a seizure, and parents should work with the school system to find reasonable ways to accommodate any special needs their child may have.

Epilepsy medical side effects Some common side effects that may occur in the first few weeks of taking seizure medicines include: feeling tired, stomach upset or discomfort, dizziness, or blurred vision. Some of these may not occur or are tolerated okay if the medication is started at a low dose and increased slowly. They often will go away over several weeks or months. Different seizure medicines tend to produce different types of side effects. To find out what effects are most common with your medication, find it on our list of seizure medicines. Just because a certain effect is common with your medication, does not mean that it will happen to you. Many people have few or no problems with side effects. Allergic reactions to seizure medicines are infrequent but they do occur, usually within the first 6 months of starting the medication.

Epilepsy medical side effects Many side effects are unpredictable and are not related to the dosage or level of medication in the blood. They may also be called ‘idiosyncratic’ side effects. These can include: Rash Problems with the liver or pancreas A serious drop in the number of white blood cells in your body (needed to fight infection) A serious drop in the number of platelets in your body (needed to control bleeding) Link: medicines/side-effects

Seizure Alert Pet A seizure alert dog has the ability to warn a person of an impending seizure moments or hours before the person has clinical signs of a seizure. When trained to have safe, reliable behavior in public, seizure alert dogs can be service dogs for people with disabilities.

Medical Alert Bracelet Type of brace that tells a person what type of epilepsy they have Other just state epilepsy on brace There are necklaces or USB attachments with medical history

Seizure Diary Keeping a seizure diary can be useful to help you record when your seizures happen and to see whether there are any specific triggers for your seizures. Sometimes, known triggers can be avoided to help reduce the number of seizures.triggers Tells you: – How you are feeling? (that day or any day) – how often they happen – whether you have noticed any situations that trigger your seizures – whether your medication is working & if you have any side effects – What medications do you take? – Changes during the day – Who is your doctor? – When are your doctor appointments – Did you overdose?

Sources affect-on-daily-life.aspx approach-prevention-and-diagnosis