If you have epilepsy, you'll get support from your GP and a team of specialists. You have check-ups at least once a year.
Your team will work with you to agree a care plan that includes details of the care and support you need. The care plan includes what to do if you have a seizure. You share the plan with people who may need to help you during a seizure.
Treatment usually involves a combination of medicine and lifestyle changes.
Medicines for epilepsy
The main treatment for epilepsy is medicine to prevent seizures. The medicines are called anti-epileptic or anti-seizure medicines.
Your doctor may give you emergency medicine to use if you have multiple seizures or a seizure that lasts longer than usual. A family member or carer needs to give this to you.
There are different anti-seizure medicines.
The medicine recommended for you depends on the type of seizures and your other health information. For example, things like your age, sex and any other conditions you have.
You may need to try different medicines to find what works best for you.
If you are doing well for a period of time, your specialist may suggest you reduce or stop taking your medicine.
Important
Do not change your dose or stop taking your medicine without talking to your specialist.
If you have epilepsy, you can get free prescriptions for all your medicines with the Long-Term Illness Scheme.
Epilepsy medicines and pregnancy
Some types of epilepsy medicine can harm your baby if you take them in pregnancy.
Talk to your specialist if you are planning a pregnancy or there is a possibility you may get pregnant. You may need to use contraception or change medicine.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes can help you manage the condition and prevent seizures.
Your specialist may recommend:
- being active
- eating healthily
- getting more sleep
- cutting down on alcohol
- stopping smoking (if you smoke)
- learning relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness
Other treatments
For most people a combination of medicines and lifestyle changes work well to prevent seizures. Rarely, you may need other treatments.
These can include:
- surgery on your brain
- putting a small electrical device under the skin on your chest to help reduce seizures (vagus nerve stimulation)
- a specialist diet that can reduce seizures (ketogenic diet)