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• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Making treatment choices >> Making treatment choices

Making treatment choices

• >> Epilepsy >> Making treatment choices >> Making treatment choices

Making treatment choices

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• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP21 >> Explains that he left decisions about drug treatments to his doctor.

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 >> Carers of >> Interview EP17 >> Discusses wanting the consultant to make treatment decisions and problems with changing consultants.

Carer (aged 48), for her husband (aged 54), who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1989, aged 42. Tried several different drug treatments. Epilepsy is poorly controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol), sodium valproate (Epilim) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP22 >> Praised the information and care she received from the consultant, but wondered why she was not offered neurosurgery sooner.

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 under 30 >> Interview EP24 >> Discusses making treatment choices and being involved in making decisions with doctors.

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 30-49 >> Interview EP23 >> Recalls making changes to her drugs in order to be on a lower dose.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1971, which has been well controlled from the beginning. Was diagnosed with meningitis in 1994 and had a number of seizures as a result. Has been seizure free since then, and is currently taking phenobarbitone (Gardenal) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP39 >> Explains why he wants to come off medications.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1980 at age of 13 but had symptoms since around the age of 6. Current medication: phenytoin (Epanutin) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP33 >> Discusses how she lowered the dosages of her drugs herself.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 2001. Has tried various drug treatments though seizures have not been controlled. Current medication: levetiracetam (Keppra) and clobazam (Frisium).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Carers of >> Interview EP17 >> Explains how she monitored her husband's drugs, and discusses being involved in making treatment decisions with doctors.

Carer (aged 48), for her husband (aged 54), who was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1989, aged 42. Tried several different drug treatments. Epilepsy is poorly controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol), sodium valproate (Epilim) and levetiracetam (Keppra).