When questions about epilepsy come up, be prepared to provide answers. Giving people straightforward facts about epilepsy is one way you can play an active role in countering the misconceptions and raising awareness about what epilepsy really is.
Talking about epilepsy in your community
Talking about epilepsy with those close to you
Be prepared to answer common questions
You may want to consider sharing your experiences with epilepsy, treatment, and working with healthcare professionals with others. By sharing you will be creating a greater awareness about epilepsy and helping to educate more people about it, as well as providing support to others who are going through similar situations.
EpilepsyClassroom.com provides free downloadable materials that can be adapted for use in schools, churches, and other community venues. These materials include such important information as instructions on how to respond to a seizure and a fact sheet for teachers.
Look for events in your community that could be springboards for school or community presentations, such as National Epilepsy Awareness Month in November. In the spring, events include Purple Day (March 26), an international day of recognition for epilepsy, and the Epilepsy Foundation's National Walk for Epilepsy.
Know the facts about epilepsy and get comfortable explaining them in your own words. For example, people may not understand what it means to have complex partial-onset seizures, but everyone can relate to what it's like to be a computer that suddenly shuts down for a minute and then reboots.
You can learn more about becoming an Epilepsy Advocate at EpilepsyAdvocate.com.
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Talking about epilepsy with those closest to you
Most people with epilepsy have a circle of people on whom they rely for support, help, and care. Although these people already have most of the key facts about the disease, it doesn't hurt to take some time every now and then to express your thanks and appreciation for the important role they play in your life.
So, while you're getting out the word to your community, why not take the time to give a word of thanks to these people. National Epilepsy Awareness Month and Purple Day are perfect opportunities to not only help get recognition for the disease but also to recognize others who help in your life.
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Be prepared to answer common questions
What is a seizure? A seizure is the result of changes in the normal electrical activity in the brain. This causes different symptoms, depending on the location of the seizure and how it spreads. It can last a few seconds or several minutes. There are many types of seizures, with symptoms ranging from rapid blinking and staring to loss of consciousness, falls to the ground, and jerking of the muscles.
Who gets epilepsy? People with epilepsy experience repeated seizures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2.7 million people in the United States are affected by epilepsy. A person is diagnosed with epilepsy only after he or she has experienced two or more seizures that can't be explained by other medical conditions like fever or withdrawal.
What is the difference between seizures and epilepsy? Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy. Having a single seizure does not necessarily mean a person has epilepsy.
What causes epilepsy? For some people, there is a clear cause, such as a birth defect or brain injury. But a single cause of epilepsy cannot be found for half of all people with epilepsy. This is sometimes called "idiopathic epilepsy"—which just means that we don't know the reason.
- A birth defect or brain injury during pregnancy or after birth is likely to lead to seizures in childhood
- Strokes, heart attacks, and other conditions that deprive the brain of oxygen also can cause epilepsy, including approximately one in three cases among elderly people
- A head injury can lead to a seizure disorder at any age
- Epilepsy can also develop as a result of brain damage from another disorder. Connections in the brain may be changed by brain tumors, alcoholism, or Alzheimer's disease
- Meningitis, AIDS, viral encephalitis, and other infectious diseases can cause fluid to build up in the brain, leading to changes that make seizures more likely
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Hormone changes (such as those that occur during a woman's menstrual cycle)
- Drinking alcohol
- Overdoses of medicine or exposure to other drugs
- Exposure to lead, carbon monoxide, or other poisons
- Flashing lights
Are there treatments for epilepsy? There are multiple treatments available that help to reduce the number of seizures a person has. The goal of treatment is to become seizure free, and people with epilepsy work closely with neurologists to find the right medication or combination of medications that will help them achieve better seizure control—which may allow them to experience more seizure-free days.
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Indication
Vimpat® (lacosamide) is a prescription medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures in people 17 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Important Safety Information
Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your healthcare provider if Vimpat is right for you.
Warnings and Precautions
Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Do not stop taking Vimpat without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Vimpat suddenly can cause serious problems.
Vimpat may also cause you to feel dizzy, have double vision, feel sleepy, or have problems with coordination and walking. You should not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how Vimpat affects you.
Vimpat may cause you to have an irregular heartbeat or may cause you to feel faint. Call your healthcare provider if you have a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, feel lightheaded, or if you fainted or feel like you are going to faint.
Vimpat is classified as a federally controlled substance (C-V) due to a low potential for abuse. Keep your Vimpat in a safe place and do not give it to anyone else.
In rare cases, Vimpat may cause a serious allergic reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have a skin rash or hives, fever or swollen glands that do not go away, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark urine.
Vimpat oral solution contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common side effects with Vimpat are dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision. To report Suspected Adverse Reactions, contact UCB, Inc. at 866-822-0068 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see additional patient information in the Patient Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.
