Epilepsy Talk

Neurologist or epileptologist — who is best for YOU? | October 9, 2024

Do you have a neurologist? An epileptologist? Or is your epilepsy followed by your primary care physician?

Your choice could make all the difference.

What exactly is a neurologist?

To become a neurologist in the U.S., one must graduate from medical (or osteopathic medicine) school, and then complete a neurology residency (training) for four years.

This additional subspecialized training is referred to as a fellowship, and usually consists of one or two years of additional training.

In addition to the duration, there is great variability in the type of fellowship: the proportion of patient care versus “clinical neurophysiology” (EEG), the type of center (surgical versus not) and the volume of the clinic and epilepsy monitoring unit.

What kind of training do neurologists and epileptologists have?

Neurologists are medical doctors who have completed:

Four years of medical school

At least one to two years of pediatric residency

Three or more years of residency training in adult and child neurology

You might say a neurologist deals with the fundamentals of epilepsy.

The diagnosis and initial care of the patient.

Who needs an epileptologist?

For those with drug resistant epilepsy, it is important that they be given specialized care.

Or diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles, stroke, pain, neuromuscular disease, and movement disorders.

An epileptologist can supervise and monitor the rectification of a wrong diagnosis, change in medications, or surgical procedures.

They can supervise more important, complicated diagnostic tests. Advanced treatment options and help you through your options as a patient.

But honestly, whether it’s a neurologist or an epileptologist, the most important thing is that he/she takes the time and care to relate to you and educate you about your options.

That’s what good doctoring is all about.

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Resources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22277-neurologist

https://www.webmd.com/brain/neurologist-facts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epileptologist

https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/do-i-need-epileptologist.

https://epilepsylosangeles.org/local-specialists/#:~:text=An%20epileptologist%20has%20special%20expertise,people%20with%20education%20and%20support.

https://www.barnesjewish.org/Medical-Services/Neurology-Neurosurgery/Epilepsy/Epileptologist#:~:text=An%20epileptologist%20is%20a%20doctor,managing%20various%20kinds%20of%20seizures.

https://www.epilepsy.com/find-doctor#:~:text=You’ll%20want%20work%20with,practices%2C%20or%20specialized%20epilepsy%20centers.

Other articles of interest:


2024 Patient Recommendations for TOP Neurologists…Epileptologists…Neurosurgeons…and Pediatric Doctors https://epilepsytalk.com/2024/01/04/2024-patient-recommendations-for-top-neurologistsepileptologistsneurosurgeonsand-pediatric-doctors

2024 Best Hospitals for Neurology & Neurosurgery https://epilepsytalk.com/2024/01/02/2024-best-hospitals-for-neurology-neurosurgery/

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2 Comments »

  1. Ed Lugge's avatar

    When I turned 18, I started seeing a neurologist at Wash. U. in St. Louis. He was awful. I didn’t feel like I was getting half the help I got from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. I started seeing a neurologist closer to home and believe it or not, I found someone worse than the doctor from Wash. U.. Then a lady I worked with brought me an article about an epileptologist. This was the first time I even heard that word. He right away gave me more hope because he set me up for tests, sat with me and discussed the test results and gave his suggestions on what we needed to do.

    He showed enough care to be a close friend but be stern when he had to and be supportive when he could. He didn’t agree with my decision for surgery at the start because he felt I had enough control of my epilepsy but when I wouldn’t stop calling and reporting every little feeling, he set me up for tests and later the surgery. After I found I was a candidate, he helped me out again. I wasn’t ready for it but he gave me the chances of a successful surgery and at what level: 95% chance of better seizure control, 85% chance of total control but staying on meds, and 70% chance of total control and no more meds.

    I went off two of my three meds in the first two years. I held on to Dilantin because I wasn’t ready to let go of my security blanket. When after 5 1/2 years post-surgery, I heard I was running low on Vitamin D, I asked if I could stop taking Dilantin. He offered another med but I said I wanna try “no meds”. That was when he told me he felt I was ready to come off of it earlier but he didn’t want to disrupt my plans for recovery. I’m now almost 24 years seizure-free and more than 18 years off meds.

    My epileptologist retired last year and I don’t know if I will see him again but I’ll never forget how much help he was and how he gave me an everlasting positive attitude.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Ed Lugge — October 9, 2024 @ 1:10 PM

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    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    I've been a professional copywriter for over 35 years. I also had epilepsy for decades. My mission is advocacy; to increase education, awareness and funding for epilepsy research. Together, we can make a huge difference. If not changing the world, at least helping each other, with wisdom, compassion and sharing.

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