Epilepsy Talk

Good news, there’s a new AED in town!

December 4, 2019
68 Comments

On November 19, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved cenobamate (XCOPRI®) for the treatment of focal epilepsy in adults. This medication will be available in the pharmacy by the spring or summer of 2020.


Sodium — How Much Does Your Body Need?

November 22, 2019
13 Comments

You may think that sodium is a “bad guy” to be avoided or reduced at all cost, because too much is linked to high blood pressure.

But sodium is actually an essential electrolyte, and a deficiency can trigger seizures.

Seizures from low sodium levels are most likely to occur from a serious disease, acute infection or because you tried to run a marathon on a hot day.

One-time or isolated seizures from these causes don’t warrant a diagnosis of epilepsy.

However, epilepsy is sometimes misdiagnosed and you may have an underlying health condition that’s causing an electrolyte problem.


If You’re Thinking Of Getting Pregnant…

November 3, 2019
3 Comments

Years ago, women who had epilepsy were often discouraged from getting pregnant. Today, that’s no longer the case.

Thanks to early and regular prenatal care, more than 90 percent of pregnant women who have epilepsy deliver healthy babies, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.


Epilepsy — Top Financial and Medical Assistance Programs

March 19, 2019
5 Comments

With so many people at the end of their resources, we could all use a helping hand.

Below is my attempt to research viable resources for financial and medication aid.


If You DON’T Have Epilepsy, Then WHAT Is It???

September 11, 2018
15 Comments

You might call them “imitators” of epilepsy, but that’s kind of extreme. You might say “similar” or you might say “confused”, which I think they are.

In a previous article titled “Conditions Commonly Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy”,  I thought I had it all covered.

But, believe it or not, that was just the tip of the iceberg.

I dug deeper and researched further and here is what I learned about signs and signals which might cause epilepsy, might show the same symptoms of epilepsy, or might be masquerading in their own way as epilepsy…


Zinc Can Help You Think!

April 4, 2018
21 Comments

Zinc should be part of any balanced diet, but it also regulates signals in your brain.

It’s been found to play a critical role in coordinating communication between cells in the brain, possibly governing the formation of memories and controlling the occurrence of epileptic seizures.


Rewiring the Brain with Cell Transplantation

August 9, 2017
5 Comments

Cell transplantation is an emerging approach for treating drug resistant epilepsy.

Regenerative medicine such as this, is a relatively “simple” process in that stem cells are often cultured from the patient’s own tissue, then processed and transfused back into the body.


28 New Epilepsy Medicines In Development

July 18, 2017
21 Comments

A newly-released report from Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has revealed that 28 new medications are in development to treat epilepsy and seizures.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

These 28 new drugs are among nearly 420 new ground-breaking medicines in progress to treat neurological disorders.


Pregnancy with Epilepsy — Medication Dangers

July 1, 2017
4 Comments

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, mothers taking seizure medication, risk birth defects of 4 to 8 percent — compared with 2 to 3 percent for all babies. Not much of a difference.

But the risk seems to be highest when multiple seizure medications are taken. Yet, without medication, uncontrolled seizures may deprive the baby of oxygen. Seizures can also increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

So, it’s important, as you know, to get the right balance.


Colds, Flu and You…

June 4, 2017
28 Comments

With all the colds and flu going around, it’s not easy to figure out which medications which are safe to take.

Obviously, the best way to manage medication interactions is to avoid medications that are known to cause problems.

A few medicines that you pick up off the shelf at the drug store can potentially increase the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy, or even cause first-time seizures.


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    About the author

    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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