Unfortunately, approximately 3 out of 10 people with epilepsy will have seizures that cannot be controlled by medication. There are several treatments that can be used alongside antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or if AEDs don't work.
...we just compare notes of new treatments perhaps or alternatives to medication. She is just about to start the ketogenic diet with her son, we´re looking into Vagal Nerve Stimulation with our son and I think it´s just a matter of finding out what´s right for your child at that moment.
Julie, UK
Click on a term in the list below to see an explanation of what it means.
Vagal nerve stimulation
- uses a device similar to a pacemaker implanted under the skin, which stimulates the vagal nerve (one of the main nerves that carries electrical impulses to and from the brain) to reduce epileptic seizures.
Ketogenic diet
is a diet high in fats and low in proteins and carbohydrates (similar to the Atkins Diet). It is a very strict diet lasting 6-8 weeks initially before an assessment of its effectiveness can be made. As it can cause lower levels of vitamins B, C, and D, and calcium, supplements of these are required. It is vital that this diet be carried out in collaboration with a dietician or endocrinologist.
Surgery
- the part of the brain that causes the seizures and sometimes also some of the surrounding brain tissue is removed, often with very good results.
Psychological therapies
may be used in adults alongside AEDs, or in children with certain types of epilepsy which do not respond to treatment with AEDs. The main types of therapy are relaxation therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. Both of these can be used in adults and children. Biofeedback is another type of therapy that can be used in adults. It is based on the idea that the person knows they are about to have a seizure because they get warning signs, such as a strange smell or feeling. They work with a therapist to try to find ways of delaying the seizure or even stopping it from happening.
