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Getting the Most Out of Treatment

I am open and honest with my neurologist, and we continue to work together to find the right balance of medications to help control my seizures and side effects. As a result, I now have control over my seizures and have regained some lost freedoms, like being able to drive again.

Anja, Germany

There are some things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your treatment:

  • Take your medication the way your doctor prescribes.
    You might find it helps to keep a drug wallet. This usually contains seven trays labelled for each day of the week. Each tray has several compartments where you put your tablets for the day. You can fill the trays once a week. It is then easy to see if you have taken your tablets for the day.
  • Keep track of how your treatment affects you.
    You might find it useful to note down in a diary any seizures or side effects you may have while taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). This can help your doctor decide if you need a different AED or a change in dose. It can also help you feel more involved in your care.
  • Keep appointments with your doctor.
  • Ask someone if you're not sure about anything.
    Your doctor, specialist or specialist epilepsy nurse should be a point of contact.
  • Watch how alcohol affects your health.
    Some people find that alcohol doesn't mix well with AEDs. If alcohol seems to trigger your seizure you may need to cut back or stop.
  • Look out for other seizure triggers.
    Some people find other things trigger their seizures. Common triggers include stress, tiredness, boredom and hormone changes in women. You might want to keep track of the things that seem to trigger your seizures and discuss these with your doctor.

Hearing you need treatment for your epilepsy can be a worrying time. You probably have lots of questions about what will happen and why. Click here to find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about treatment.