Youcan if you are among the 50% of epilepsy patients who are on the “rightanti-convulsant at the right dosage.” You and your neurologist will know thisis the right anti-convulsant for you because your seizures stop while takingyour prescription. It’s trial and error. 1

     Unfortunately,the other patients in the epilepsy population will continue to experienceseizures, some very infrequently and others almost daily. These groups findtheir seizures do not disappear.

     Epilepsysurgery, no matter how drastic this sounds to you, in selected patients is verysafe and can be curative. A pertinent blog on this topic is on this link: https://lancefogan.blogspot.com/2017/12/blog-89-surgical-removal-of-seizure.html In addition, theGAMMA KNIFE offers hope: http://lancefogan.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-162-gammaknife-is-focused.html?m=1

     Howto lower your risk of more seizures? You have heard this guidance from yourneurologist/physician repeatedly: “Are you taking your medication as directed?”You all know what is important but too often our patients don’t follow ourrecommendations. Especially our youthful patients. Life interferes: “I got sickwith a high fever or I forgot my pills or I traveled and left the pills at homeor I drank too much alcohol or I didn’t sleep and etc.”

     Keepa seizure journal to keep track of seizures. Is there a discernable pattern:not enough sleep, another illness, menstruation, stress, recreational drugs,beginning a new medication from another physician that could have an effect onyour epilepsy?

     Sideeffects can discourage taking your medication regularly. Reporting these sideeffects to your neurologist can help the doctor work with you to adjust dosagesor change the medication to another effective one if the side effects areintolerable.

     Considera pill-dispensing container that will separate the day’s dosages to discourageforgetting or taking more than prescribed any one day. Carry your physician’scontact information with you if you run out of meds.

     Alwayswear a bicycle helmet when bicycling, avoid bright flickering lights if theyprecipitate your seizures as they often do in some people. Do not drive a caruntil your neurologist clears you and consults with the Department of Vehicles.

1)    Richardson G. How Can People with Epilepsy PreventSeizures? BrainandLife,org. June/July 2024. p37.

hard-hitting emotional family medical drama, “DINGS, is told from a mother’s point of view.“DINGS” is his first novel. Aside from acclamation on internet bookstoresites, U.S. Report of Books, and the Hollywood Book Review, DINGS has beenadvertised in recent New York Times Book Reviews, the Los Angeles TimesCalendar section and Publishers Weekly. DINGS teaches epilepsy and is now available ineBook, audiobook, soft and hard cover editions.