Open communication between you and your doctor is an important step toward getting the partial-onset seizure control you deserve. So you need to be sure you're seeing the right kind of doctor and asking the right questions.
Choosing the right doctor for you
Considering the benefits of an epilepsy center
Getting better seizure control starts with better conversation
Tips for working with your neurologist
Choosing the right doctor for you
Specialists, like neurologists or epileptologists, are the best choice. A neurologist is a medical doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. An epileptologist is a neurologist who has gone on to further sub-specialize in epilepsy and its treatment.
If you're still having seizures, finding a doctor who has the experience and expertise to develop an effective, individualized treatment plan is very important. Epilepsy is a complex disorder with more than 40 distinct neurological syndromes, and getting the care you need is best handled by a doctor who specializes in treating this disease.
Many people with epilepsy remain under the care of family doctors or general physicians who may think a couple of seizures a year are to be expected. But the experts who treat epilepsy strive to do more to help improve seizure control. If you are not seeing a neurologist or an epileptologist, you can find one here.
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Considering the benefits of an epilepsy center
Besides seeing a neurologist or an epileptologist, you might consider getting an evaluation and treatment at a specialized epilepsy center. One of the benefits of visiting an epilepsy center is that the treatment team is specially focused on epilepsy. They are trained to assess the full range of options, from different medications and therapies to surgical procedures that may be able to correct the problems causing a person's epilepsy.
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Getting better seizure control starts with better conversation
When you visit your neurologist, you probably talk about your seizures, treatment, and side effects. That's important. But have you ever sat down and discussed what you really want from treatment and what your life might be like if you could reduce your partial-onset seizures by 50% or more? This is the kind of discussion you should be having with your neurologist.
Ask questions. Many times questions come up between visits to your neurologist. Write down all your non-urgent questions when you think of them, and take the list to your next appointment. This is a good way to make sure all your questions are answered. The Neurologist Discussion Guide can help you create a customized list of questions for your neurologist.
- If the neurologist says something you don't understand, never hesitate to ask for further explanation. You might also want to take someone with you to your appointment to help you remember what the neurologist says. Your questions should include anything you are concerned about.
- If you're experiencing unpleasant side effects or having trouble following the prescribed treatment schedule, ask about other options you may have. There could be another medication that may be a better fit for you.
Share your concerns. Getting concerns off your chest may even provide a physical benefit by reducing anxiety and stress, which can trigger seizures in some people with epilepsy. Since depression can go hand in hand with epilepsy, talk about your emotional well-being. Your neurologist or nurse can connect you with support groups, counselors, or other resources to help you cope with the emotional ups and downs of managing your epilepsy.
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Tips for working with your neurologist |
Keep a seizure diary. This helps you and your neurologist identify patterns and seizure triggers, recognize the frequency and severity of seizures, and understand what was going on at the time of a seizure. Find a seizure diary here.
- Describe your seizures (or ask a friend or family member if you cannot remember)
- Make note of days when you missed a dose of medication or experienced side effects. This is especially important if the medication or dosage is being altered or if a seizure occurred because of a missed dose
- Other events to note include any illness, major life changes or stressful situations, and, for women, the start and end dates of menstrual cycles
- Always bring a current list of all medications you're taking, with the name of each medication, the dose, and how many times the medication is taken each day
- Be sure to mention any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal treatments you are taking to make sure there's no possibility of interactions
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Give your neurologist all the details. When you see your neurologist or epileptologist, be sure to mention:
- Any changes in your seizures
- If you think your epilepsy treatment is helping
- Any side effects you might be having
- How you feel in general
- What your treatment expectations are, eg, being seizure-free, returning to work, etc
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Prepare ahead. Remember, treating epilepsy is a process, and it needs an ongoing discussion.
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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.
