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• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP26 >> Discusses her concerns about the stigma and ignorance around epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1966. Has poorly controlled epilepsy and has tried various drug treatments over the years. Current medication: Slow-release carbamazepine (Tegretol Retard), gabapentin (Neurontin) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP22 >> Emphasises the importance of raising awareness of epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1988. Tried various drugs, and had neurosurgery in 2000. Has been seizure free since surgery, and stopped taking medications (lamotrigine and carbamazepine) a few months after neurosurgery.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP11 >> Explains how her epilepsy affected friendships.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 2000. Tried various drugs which did not control seizures and caused severe side effects. At the time of interview, participant had stopped taking all medication. Current medication: none.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP06 >> Talks about losing some friends but becoming closer to others.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1989, which was caused by a brain tumour. Had radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat the tumour, and seizures were reduced considerably. Felt better without medication and decided to stop taking anti-epileptic drugs. Current medication: none.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP13 >> Contrasts the reactions of two different girlfriends to his epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1994. Tried various drug treatments, but epilepsy is not controlled. Current medication: phenytoin (Epanutin), phenobarbitone (Gardenal) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP10 >> Reflects on how the reactions of others and his lack of confidence in making relationships.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1982. Tried various drugs which did not control seizures. Had neurosurgery in 1984 at the age of 13 and in 1998 at the age of 28. Although there was some improvement in the seizures, epilepsy is poorly controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard), vigabatrin (Sabril) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) daily, and clobazam (Frisium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP05 >> Finds that epilepsy can be frightening to people when they know little about it.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1981. Tried various drugs and, in 1999, had neurosurgery which reduced the frequency and intensity of seizures. Current medication: gabapentin (Neurontin) and carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) daily, and clobazam (Frisium) around the time of menstruation.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP30 >> Recalls how she told some colleagues about her epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1985. Has tried several different drug treatments, and had 4 years free of seizures. Seizures restarted in 1996 and epilepsy is currently not completely controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol) daily and clobazam (Frisium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP21 >> Explains that his epilepsy has not led to any discrimination.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1984, although had the condition throughout childhood as well. Has been seizure free since 1986, though had a status epilepticus episode in 1999 when medication was missed. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) and clobazam (Frisium).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP15 >> Explains that she does not want pity, and dislikes stereotyping of people with epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1974. Epilepsy is not controlled and the possibility of neurosurgery was being considered at time of interview. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP34 >> Explains that he has recently been telling people about his epilepsy and says epilepsy should be treated like any other condition.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1965. Has tried several different drug treatments, and had 14 years free of seizures. Epilepsy has been controlled again since 1997. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard), phenytoin (Epanutin) and diazepam (Valium).