If you are a senior citizen, you may remember a time when treatment for epilepsy was very limited. For many years, epilepsy was viewed as a condition of childhood. We now know that, although epilepsy often does begin in the first decade of life, people are even more likely to have the disorder in their sixties or seventies.
Today, epilepsy is a well-understood neurological condition. It is not contagious and is not a mental illness. There are many medications that can be successfully used in the treatment of seizures. Many seniors with seizures can lead active, productive lives. The majority of the advice in this pamphlet is useful for seniors, but the following points may be especially beneficial for seniors:
- You may be more sensitive to medication side effects, such as unsteadiness, fatigue, changed behaviour and confusion.
- If you are taking other medications such as blood pressure pills, blood thinners, drugs to reduce cholesterol, etc., they may interact with your anti-seizure drugs. Therefore, it is very important to tell your physician or pharmacist about any other medications you are taking.
- Keep a record of your seizures. It is very helpful when you visit your physician.
- Wear a MedicAlert or similar bracelet.
