Whether you’ve been living with epilepsy for years or were recently diagnosed as an adult, carefully managing the condition is key. The tricky part is that as your body gets older, you may need to rethink what successful treatment looks like.
“It’s certainly possible for people with epilepsy to stay independent as they get older,” says Vibha S. Wasade, M.D., a neurologist at Henry Ford Health. “Independence relies on seizure control, so it’s important to continually reevaluate how you manage epilepsy as you age.”
Know Your Seizure Triggers
Epilepsy Care At Henry Ford
Living well with epilepsy is all about controlling your seizures. And while much of that relies on working with your doctor to find the right balance of medication, lifestyle factors can also play an important role.
Even if you’ve had your seizures well managed for years, things can change with age. That’s why it’s particularly important to know what things have triggered seizures for you in the past. Keeping a seizure diary is a good way to track any connections between lifestyle factors and seizure recurrence.
Specific triggers will vary between people, but some common seizure triggers include:
- Being dehydrated
- Drinking alcohol
- Drug use
- Flashing or strobe lights
- Illness, with or without a fever
- Not getting enough sleep
- Stress
Keep An Eye On Your Medications (And Side Effects)
There are many different types of anti-seizure medications. You may have tried some and found the one that’s right for you. But even if your medication has helped keep you seizure-free for years, things can change as you get older. That’s why it becomes even more important to work with your doctor to monitor your medication, dosage and side effects.
“The goal of epilepsy treatment is always to try to achieve freedom from seizures with no side effects. But this can get more challenging with age,” says Dr. Wasade. “You need to be more aware of possible medication side effects, as well as medication interactions. As you age, your body’s metabolism changes, and you may have other medical conditions that make interactions and side effects more problematic.”
According to Dr. Wasade, by age 65, 8 out of 10 people with epilepsy also have at least one other chronic health condition. And if you’re taking medication to treat high cholesterol, blood pressure, or any other health condition, it can affect how well your anti-seizure medications work.
“These medications may interact with each other and this, in turn, may affect how the body metabolizes them,” says Dr. Wasade. “That can change not only how effective the medications are, but also change which side effects you experience.”
Many common medication side effects become more and more problematic as you get older. These include:
- Bone loss: This is especially important for post-menopausal women who are already at a higher risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.
- Dizziness: This can cause balance issues and increase risk of falls.
- Memory problems: These can lead to a misdiagnosis of early cognitive impairment.
A Strong Support Network
Everyone with epilepsy strives to maintain their independence and the ability to lead a full and active life as much as possible. And even as you move through your adult years, that goal is still attainable.
Your doctor is an important source of information and support—especially if you require any medication changes or monitoring. A strong support network of family and friends is also valuable. Social connections can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, and that may help control triggers for seizures.
Inform your support network of any concerns you or your doctor have. They should understand what medication side effects to look out for. They should also know your signs and triggers of seizures.
Staying seizure-free will allow you to continue to drive, travel and live well. But don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Having people who can support you and help you stay safe is important for successfully managing life with epilepsy.
Reviewed by Dr. Vibhangini Wasade, Head of the Division of Epilepsy for Henry Ford Medical Group and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
