Epilepsy treatment and care
\nThis information is for carers of people with epilepsy and a learning disability<\/p>\n
Epilepsy medicines
\nFor most people epilepsy medicine is the best and often only option for controlling seizures. For many people, being on the right dose of the right epilepsy medicine or medicines can mean their seizures stop completely.<\/p>\n
It can be difficult or upsetting for some people with a learning disability to swallow tablets. There are usually a variety of forms of the medicines, such as liquids and granules, available. So it\u2019s worth getting the one that is most manageable to help the person take their medicine exactly as prescribed.<\/p>\n
For someone who is likely to have trouble remembering to take their epilepsy medicine, there are a variety of reminder devices available. For more information on medicine reminders see the Disabled Living Foundation website.<\/p>\n
Website: livingmadeeasy.org.uk<\/p>\n
There are small differences between versions of epilepsy medicine which can affect the way the medicine works. If you notice a change in seizures following a version change it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some people may need to stay on the same version of their epilepsy medicine.<\/p>\n
For everyone with epilepsy the aim is to get the best possible seizure control with as few side-effects as possible. For a person with a learning disability it\u2019s especially important that seizure control isn\u2019t the only thing the doctor considers when prescribing epilepsy medicine. They should be helping the person reach the best quality of life possible for them.<\/p>\n
Possible seizure triggers
\nKnowing the possible seizure triggers for the person you look after, can help to limit the number of seizures they have. It can also mean that the dose of their epilepsy medicine isn\u2019t increased unnecessarily. These are the things people say trigger seizures:<\/p>\n
Not taking epilepsy medicine as prescribed
\nFeeling tired
\nNot getting enough sleep
\nStress
\nAlcohol
\nFlashing or flickering lights
\nMenstruation (periods)
\nMissing meals
\nFever can also make it more likely that someone will have a seizure.<\/p>\n
Changes in any other medicines they take, especially stopping sedating medicines, can also trigger seizures.<\/p>\n
Side-effects of epilepsy medicine
\nAs a carer you are likely to notice changes in emotional and physical health and behaviour of the person you are looking after. This information may help with what to look out for. And what you notice will be important to share with the doctor.<\/p>\n
A person with a severe learning disability is more likely to have side-effects than someone with a milder learning disability
\nSmall side-effects may be missed by a doctor who doesn\u2019t know the person you look after very well. They may think that a problem the person has with understanding, co-ordination or behaviour may be because of the learning disability, when it could be a side-effect of an epilepsy medicine
\nPeople with epilepsy and a learning disability may well have side-effects that are different from the general population
\nSide-effects could explain someone\u2019s reluctance to take epilepsy medicine
\nSide-effects could result in behaviour problems
\nHaving too much of an epilepsy medicine could result in behaviour problems
\nTaking a number of epilepsy medicines can often result in significant side-effects
\nSide-effects could reduce the person\u2019s ability to understand things
\nA number of the older epilepsy medicines can cause osteoporosis. If the person you care for is taking one of the older medicines you may want to ask the GP to give them a bone density test. If necessary the doctor may then give a particular medicine or supplement for the condition.<\/p>\n
Epilepsy Action has more information about osteoporosis.<\/p>\n
Interactions
\nAlways check with the doctor or pharmacist before giving someone over-the-counter medicines. Some epilepsy medicines will interact with these as well as prescribed medicines.<\/p>\n
Other ways of treating epilepsy
\nFor some people who are still having seizures despite trying a number of epilepsy medicines, epilepsy surgery may be an option. The assessment for surgery is complex but it should be offered where it is believed epilepsy is coming from one part of the brain. Even so, not everyone will be suitable for surgery. However when a person with a learning disability is suitable for surgery the results can be very good.<\/p>\n
If surgery isn\u2019t a treatment option, the doctor may discuss the possibility of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) or the ketogenic diet.<\/p>\n
VNS is a treatment for epilepsy where a small device is implanted under the skin below the left collar bone. This device, similar to a pace-maker, is called a generator. The generator is connected to a thin wire, which stimulates the vagus nerve in the person\u2019s neck at regular times throughout the day. This sends impulses to the brain, which helps to prevent electrical activity that causes seizures.<\/p>\n
There are 2 modified ketogenic diets. These are the Modified Atkins diet (MAD) and the low glycemic index treatment (LGIT) diet. The MAD involves restricting carbohydrates and encouraging fat. Protein is not restricted. On the LGIT diet carbohydrates and protein are both restricted and fat is encouraged.<\/p>\n
These 2 modified diets are less strict than the ketogenic diet and weighing of food is not needed. The MAD is increasingly being chosen for children.<\/p>\n
They are sometimes used to try and help people whose seizures cannot be reduced or stopped with epilepsy medicine or other treatments. <\/p>\n
Epilepsy Action has more information about epilepsy medicines, surgery, VNS and the ketogenic diet.<\/p>\n
Seizure diaries
\nKeeping a seizure diary is a good way of having a record of someone\u2019s health day by day. It\u2019s also an efficient way of showing a neurologist possible connections between changes in someone\u2019s seizure control, general health, dose changes and side-effects.<\/p>\n
Epilepsy Action has seizure diaries.<\/p>\n
You might also want to look at Myhealthguide: myhealthguideapp.com<\/p>\n
First aid
\nEpilepsy Action has information on first aid, including what to do if someone is in a wheelchair.<\/p>\n
Care plans
\nEveryone with epilepsy should have a care plan. This is especially important if the person may need emergency treatment for their seizures. The plan should be drawn up by a medical professional, the person the care plan is about and their carers.<\/p>\n
Epilepsy Action has care plans. These are not in Easy Read but you could use one alongside an Easy Read healthcare passport.<\/p>\n
Website: ekhuft.nhs.uk\/patients-and-visitors\/about-us\/people-with-learning-disabilities\/my-healthcare-passport<\/p>\n
Emergency treatment for seizures that last a long time
\nMany people have seizures that last for less than 5 minutes and stop without any treatment. But some people have seizures that last too long. These are known as status epilepticus and need treating urgently. This is to try and stop them before they cause long-term damage. The sooner the seizure is treated the easier it will be to get it to stop.<\/p>\n
By the time a seizure is lasting for 30 minutes or more, it is much more difficult to stop. If a tonic-clonic or cluster of tonic-clonic seizures last longer than 30 minutes, this can cause damage to the brain, or even death.<\/p>\n
What type of seizures turn into status epilepticus?
\nAny type of seizure can become status epilepticus.<\/p>\n
Tonic-clonic (convulsive) status epilepticus
\nDuring a long convulsive tonic-clonic seizure, the body struggles to circulate oxygen. When this happens, the brain doesn\u2019t get enough oxygen. Over a long period, this can lead to brain damage and death.<\/p>\n
Non-convulsive status epilepticus
\nSome people with epilepsy, particularly people with learning disabilities or an epilepsy syndrome, have a different type of status epilepticus. They may just appear to be vacant. Or they might have some minor twitches in their face or rolling of their eyes. These can be symptoms of non-convulsive status epilepticus. The only clues to this will be changes in their brainwave patterns that can be seen on an electroencephalogram (EEG). It\u2019s important that you are aware of this, as it can last for weeks, if not treated. If you think this may be happening for the person you care for, you may want to speak to your consultant who can arrange for them to have an EEG in hospital. If this process would be too slow, you may want to take the person you care for to A and E.<\/p>\n
Rectal diazepam and buccal midazolam are both used as an emergency treatment. Buccal midazolam has the advantage of not causing the person concerned embarrassment. The issue of consent to emergency treatment can be a challenging one for the person involved and their carer. The NHS website has some helpful information on definitions of consent and what to do if that is difficult to get.<\/p>\n
Website: nhs.uk\/conditions\/consent-to-treatment<\/p>\n
Epilepsy Action has more information on emergency treatment for seizures that last a long time.<\/p>\n
In hospital
\nThe NHS website has a range of useful guidance about getting the person you look after the best care and treatment when they are in hospital.<\/p>\n
Website: nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/hospitals\/going-into-hospital\/<\/p>\n
Epilepsy Action would like to thank Dr Lance Watkins Consultant Psychiatrist, Neath Port Talbot Community Learning Disability Team for his contribution to this information.<\/p>\n
Source Epilepsy Action <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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