Living with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Drug-resistant epilepsy brings many challenges beyond uncontrolled seizures. While many cases of epilepsy can be treated with medicine alone, this type of epilepsy requires a different approach.
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What is Drug-Resistant Epilepsy?
Drug-resistant epilepsy is considered as when seizures continue after two anti-seizure medications have been appropriately prescribed and properly used for an amount of time as determined by a doctor.
This type of epilepsy is also known as refractory epilepsy, hard-to-treat epilepsy, uncontrolled seizures and DRE. Studies have shown that adding more medications is not likely to control this kind of epilepsy.
Treatment Goals for People with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Epilepsy is more than seizures. Treatment options for people with drug-resistant epilepsy work towards gaining long-term seizure control, decreasing seizure severity, minimising side effects and improving quality of life.
If you’ve tried multiple medications, yet continue to have seizures, talk to your doctor about other treatment options available that may help you.
Risks of Untreated Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Despite what we know about the risks of living with drug-resistant epilepsy, many people continue to be prescribed multiple medications instead of being evaluated for non-drug therapy options.
Depression and anxiety
Adverse effects of long-term antiepileptic drug use
Hospital and ER visits
Seizure-related injury
Issues with social interactions
Increased risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
