• Topic
• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Signs and symptoms >> Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms

• >> Epilepsy >> Signs and symptoms >> Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms

• Clip
• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP12 >> Discusses the events leading up to her diagnosis.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1965 at age of 15 but had symptoms since around 3-4 years of age. Had neurosurgery at age of 14 though epilepsy is not well controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Carers of >> Interview EP29 >> Explains what alerted her to a problem in her 14-month-old son.

Carer (aged 44), of her son aged 22, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1982, at 16 months of age. Severe uncontrolled epilepsy and autism, symptoms of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, diagnosed in 1997. Has tried several different drugs, and ketogenic diet as a child. Currently on a gluten free and dairy free diet. Current medication: levetiracetam (Keppra) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP24 >> Explains that she was diagnosed with epilepsy as a young adult.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1993. Has tried various different drug treatments, and has been seizure free for a year. Current medication: vigabatrin (Sabril), lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP31 >> Explains that she had had a stroke and severe headaches before her first seizure.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1980, shortly after having a stroke. Had severe uncontrolled epilepsy despite trying many different drug treatments. Had a Vagal Nerve Stimulator implanted in 2001, and has experienced a vast improvement both in seizure frequency and recovery time following a seizure. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP10 >> Explains that his brother first noticed that something was wrong.

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 50-69 >> Interview EP14 >> Recalls losing consciousness and waking up in hospital.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in the mid to late 70s. Seizures have been controlled since around 2000. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol) and topiramate (Topamax).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP27 >> Describes her husband first noticing symptoms of her epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1995. Tried a number of different drug treatments, and on average has about one seizure per year. Current medication: lamotrigine (Lamictal).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP11 >> Recalls that she had symptoms of epilepsy a long time before she was actually diagnosed.

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.

• Condition
• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Epilepsy

Publication date: March 2003          Last updated: February 2012.

Review date: February 2014.

 

Epilepsy is the tendency to have recurrent seizures (fits). We interviewed 41 people about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

 

You may also be interested in young people with epilepsy, which can be found on youthhealthtalk.org.

• >> Epilepsy >> Epilepsy

Publication date: March 2003          Last updated: February 2012.

Review date: February 2014.

 

Epilepsy is the tendency to have recurrent seizures (fits). We interviewed 41 people about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

 

You may also be interested in young people with epilepsy, which can be found on youthhealthtalk.org.