Anticonvulsants can be very effective in controlling seizures. Your consultant will advise you on the most effective medication depending on your child's seizure type/diagnosis. Please visit medication & side-effects for a comprehensive guide to the medication your child may be prescribed, along with a list of possible side-effects.
The ketogenic diet is a medical-led dietary therapy used to treat children and adults who suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy and comes highly recommended by The Daisy Garland. However, it is important to note that this diet should not be undertaken without the close supervision and guidance of a specialist ketogenic dietitian.
WHAT IS THE KETOGENIC DIET?
To request a free copy of The Really Useful Ketogenic Diets Book please contact us.
On 26th July 2018, The Home Office announced that licensing laws for medical cannabis would be relaxed, paving the way for doctors to be able to legally prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients in the UK. We sincerely hope that with safety and quality standards met this natural treatment will be accessible to all those who need it.
Surgery is recognised as a therapeutic option for some people with hard to control seizures. Once surgery is carried out, it is irreversible. It is therefore crucial to establish the person has drug-resistant epilepsy and that surgery is likely to either prevent or at least markedly reduce further seizure activity. Physical functioning, concentration, learning abilities and behaviour must be carefully considered before surgery is undertaken, as it is clear that these areas may be adversely and irreversibly affected, even if seizure control is markedly improved or even complete.
Vagus nerve stimulation therapy is a treatment for epilepsy. This treatment sends regular, mild electrical stimulations through the vagus nerve in the neck to help calm seizure activity. VNS therapy is usually considered for people who have tried a number of anticonvulsant medications which have proved ineffective in controlling seizures, and for those who are not suitable for brain surgery.
Vitamins and minerals may help to control/reduce seizure activity. When Daisy was first diagnosed with epilepsy her neurologist tested her for pyridoxine (vitamin B6) deficiency - a known trigger for seizures in babies. The addition of biotin and carnitine may also help to control seizures in some people.
It is important to consult a medical professional prior to taking over-the-counter vitamins and minerals in order to assess suitability.
For more information on any of the above treatments please contact your consultant or epilepsy nurse