• Clip
• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP22 >> Explains that stress played an important part in the onset of her 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 30-49 >> Interview EP19 >> Explains that lack of rest and shift work used to trigger his seizures.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1985. Seizures have been controlled since 1992. Current drug treatment is carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) and sodium valproate (Epilim).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP15 >> Discusses various factors that trigger her seizures.

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 30-49 >> Interview EP23 >> Explains that excessive alcohol was a trigger for her seizures.

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 under 30 >> Interview EP41 >> Explains how taking recreational drugs set off more seizures than usual, and advises against taking ecstasy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1994. Epilepsy is poorly controlled. Current medication: sodium valproate (Epilim) and topirimate (Topamax).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP36 >> Discusses having photosensitive epilepsy.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1998. Has tried sodium valproate (Epilim) and is currently taking lamotrigine (Lamictal), which has reduced the frequency and intensity of seizures but epilepsy is not controlled. Current medication: lamotrigine (Lamictal).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP01 >> Discusses having photosensitive epilepsy and how her emotions can affect her seizures.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1964. Tried various drugs but these did not control seizures. In an attempt to have an acceptable quality of life, decided to stop taking anti-epileptic drugs in 2001 and is on a Chinese/macrobiotic diet. Current medication: diazepam (Valium) when needed.

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP33 >> Discusses the unpredictability of her seizures despite knowing her triggers.

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 >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP37 >> Discusses having fewer seizures in the summer than in the winter, and that worry often triggers seizures.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1968. Had neurosurgery in 1999 and has been seizure free since then, though still experiences auras. Current medication: sodium valproate (Epilim) and phenytoin (Epanutin).

• Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP08 >> Explains that certain food additives and exercise can trigger his seizures.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1994, caused by a benign tumour that was found in 2001. At the time of interview, brain surgery was a possibility and would depend on test results. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).

• 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.