EPILEPSY AND YOUR LIFESTAGE
Adolescents and Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder of adolescence with an estimated prevalence of around 1 per 100 in children aged 14-16 years. Many children diagnosed with epilepsy will have it throughout their lives while others will be diagnosed during their teenage years and may only have the disorder for a relatively short time.
The teenage years are very important years. It is a time when you make many major life decisions about higher education and career pathways and you look forward to being independent and getting your driving licence.
Epilepsy can affect these life decisions, but it is most important that you have the facts and accurate information before any decisions are made. In certain circumstances you may have to reconsider your first choice of career or the sports you play. Your plans to get your driving licence may have to be put on hold for a while. A small percentage of adolescents living with difficult to control epilepsy may never get a driving licence but usually find other effective ways of getting around.
While you may not be able to be a commercial pilot or join the armed forces, you will be able to achieve most goals you set your mind to. Today, people with epilepsy are doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, actors, writers, elite sportsmen and women – epilepsy need not stop you doing the things you want to do.
About medication
Treatment in most cases is with Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs). These drugs don't cure epilepsy, but they can help to prevent seizures occurring. Many will achieve total control and after some time you may think that your seizures have stopped forever.
You need to take your medication exactly as prescribed by your neurologist, in order for it to work properly. Not taking your medication as prescribed could mean that you start having seizures again, or have more seizures than usual, or that your seizures last longer than before.
Sometimes the unpleasant side-effects from your medication may make you want to stop taking it. Or you may resent taking your tablets because they are associated with the ‘stigma’ of epilepsy. Maybe you don't want to explain to others why you are taking medication.
If you are feeling like this, discuss your concerns with your paediatric neurologist, neurologist or a counsellor at the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria as many of these issues can be worked through.
But don't stop taking your medication, as this can be very dangerous. Stopping medication suddenly can trigger seizures that can be life-threatening and usually require emergency medical intervention.
While taking medication is your choice, most adolescents prefer to take their medication rather than have seizures. Seizures are usually unpredictable and can be dangerous if you lose awareness, even for a brief period of time, especially if you are doing something that increases your risk during the seizure, such as driving or swimming.
Most people need to take medication, which is usually reviewed after two years of seizure freedom. Your paediatric neurologist or neurologist will discuss with you what might happen if you stop taking your medication.
What triggers epilepsy?
Once your seizures are controlled, life carries on. It is important that you learn what triggers your seizures and how to manage it.
You will need to make sure that you get enough sleep every night. The occasional late night shouldn’t be a problem, but just don’t make it a habit, as sleep deprivation is a known trigger for seizures.
Alcohol can trigger seizures for some people. Be moderate in your use of alcohol as AEDs can make you more sensitive to its effects, while alcohol reduces the effectiveness of your AED, making seizures more likely to occur. Binge drinking is not good for anyone. For someone with epilepsy it can result in poor seizure control due to late nights, missed meals, or forgotten doses, while 'hangover' seizures are more ikely to occur as the alcohol level in the blood falls. Street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, amphetamines or solvents can trigger seizures and when combined with a change in lifestyle that involves late nights and alcohol your risk of seizures is greatly increased.
You will still be able to go out with friends and go clubbing if that’s your thing, however, avoid staying up all night, drink plenty of water and remember to take your medication. If your seizures are triggered by flashing or strobe lights, check for warning signs before you enter the venue. Swimming or surfing on your own is risky. It’s best to swim with a friend who knows what to do if you have a seizure and is capable of rescuing you.
Most people diagnosed with epilepsy are unable to drive until their seizures have been controlled for a specified period of time. By accepting responsibility for your own health and wellbeing and taking your medication regularly, your driver's licence and the independence you've been looking forward to may not be too far away.
Isn’t there a stigma with epilepsy?
Living with epilepsy is not always easy. You may come across discrimination in some form or another through ignorance and fear. How you handle this depends on how comfortable you are with your epilepsy.
Being frank and open about it will suit some, while others will feel quite sensitive about being 'different'. Learn about your type of epilepsy and be confident in explaining it to others should the need arise. Tell your close friends what to do if a seizure is likely to occur and then leave it at that.
Remember, it is important that you are in control of your life and to do that you need to take control of your epilepsy. By taking responsibility for your own medication and accepting those 'necessary' and, in some instances, temporary limitations, your epilepsy will become just a part of you, not who you are.
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Support Nyah and families just like hers by donating to our Christmas Appeal. We need to raise $181,000 to support programs like our emergency medication training.
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Support Nyah and families just like hers by donating to our Christmas Appeal. We need to raise $181,000 to support programs like our emergency medication training.
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