Teens Living with Epilepsy - PDF Free Download

Introduction As a teen you face challenges every day. Keeping up with schoolwork. Working an after-school job, dating, or competing in sports. If you are a teen with epilepsy, you have the added challenge of living with epilepsy. Did you know that there are lots of people your age who have epilepsy? In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of teens in the US who have epilepsy. There s a good chance that some of the people who go to your school have epilepsy. And they are probably having some of the same feelings about epilepsy that you are. People with epilepsy are just like other people, except that they sometimes have seizures. This booklet will help answer some of your questions about epilepsy. It also talks about the medicine your doctor has prescribed for you. The more you know about epilepsy, the smarter you will be. If you have more questions after reading this booklet, talk to your doctor or nurse when you see them. Also, be sure to talk with your family and friends about what you are feeling. Things often don t seem so frightening when you have someone to share them with. You and your parents can also find out more by going to www.keppra.com. Remember, this booklet should not take the place of your doctor. Make sure you ask a lot of questions. This booklet will help you. Asking questions will get you the answers you need. What is a seizure? A seizure is the abnormal release of cells in the brain, called neurons. This can cause different symptoms based on the location of the seizure and where the abnormal activity spreads. And not all seizures are the same. They can range from tingling in a finger to grand mal (generalized) seizures, during which people lose consciousness, become stiff, and jerk. Not everything that looks like a seizure is a seizure. And not every seizure is an epileptic seizure. Fainting, collapsing, and confusion can also result from other disorders or even from emotional stress. Withdrawal from alcohol or addicting drugs can cause seizures as well, but these will not continue if you keep yourself out of that situation. What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which people experience repeated seizures. Epilepsy can also result from a birth defect, birth or head injury, brain tumor, or an infection in the brain; it can also be inherited. For half of people with epilepsy, a cause cannot be found. Epilepsy can begin right after birth or can occur for the first time in old age. And it is not contagious. At times, epilepsy is referred to as a seizure disorder. Please read the Keppra product information included with this booklet.

Why do I have epilepsy? That s a question many people like you ask every day. Unfortunately, sometimes even your doctor does not know what caused your epilepsy. Some people who have had a brain infection can sometimes get epilepsy. It can also be caused by a bad head injury or problems before birth. But that does not mean that you had any of these things happen to you. Will I outgrow epilepsy? For some people, seizures go away when they get older. Other people have to take treatment all their lives to control their seizures. It depends on the kind of epilepsy you have. Talk to your doctor. Is there a cure for epilepsy? There is no cure for epilepsy. Your doctor will prescribe the best treatment to control your seizures. Be sure to follow your doctor s advice. How will epilepsy affect my life? Most teens with epilepsy can do all the things their friends do, including baseball, soccer, and other sports. You can even enjoy swimming, bicycle riding, and gymnastics if you are careful. Knowing how controlled your seizures are will help you determine what sports you are able to play. Did you know that there are big league athletes who have epilepsy? They play baseball, ice hockey, and other pro sports. Everyone with epilepsy is different, so be sure to talk with your parents and doctor about sports that you want to play. For more information, go to www.keppra.com. Should I tell my friends I have epilepsy? This may be a good idea if you think you might have a seizure while you are with them. If they know what to expect, they won t be alarmed when it happens. You can also tell them what they can do to help you. Keep in mind that some of your friends may have their own health problems. Some may have asthma or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Others may have diabetes. It can be hard to talk about these things, too. If you tell them about your epilepsy, they may feel more like telling you about their health problems. Remember, the more your friends know about epilepsy, the more help they can give you when you need it. Can I drive if I have epilepsy? Every state has its own laws on epilepsy and driving. Most states say that you must be free of seizures for a certain period of time; in most states it is 6 to 12 months. Check with the Division of Motor Vehicles in your state. They can tell you about the rules that apply to drivers in your state. When I date, should I tell the person I am going out with? The answer is a lot like the one above. Many teens worry that their date will not want to go out with them if they have epilepsy. That could happen. But, if you are honest with your date, he or she will be able to accept you for the wonderful person you are.

Should I tell my teacher and my classmates that I have epilepsy? This is a question you and your parents should answer together. If you decide this is a good idea, consider all the people in your life you think should know and tell them directly. You and your parents should have a discussion with your teachers, school nurse, and other school administrators about your epilepsy. You may also want to tell your coach, if you have one. Talk to them about epilepsy and tell them that there is no reason for them to be afraid. Let them know what happens when you have a seizure. Tell them what they should do to help you. You can tell them that kids with epilepsy are just like other people, except that they sometimes have seizures. In this kit, there is a sample of an information card that you can get by going to www.keppra.com. There are directions that show you how to download and fill them out. Ask your parents to help you if you need it. Be sure to give a card to your teacher and anyone who may stay with you when your parents are away just in case you need help. The cards have information that tells these people what to do if you have a seizure while you are with them. What if other people are afraid to hang out with me because I have epilepsy? Sometimes people are fearful of things they do not know about. You can help other people feel more comfortable about epilepsy if you tell them what you know. Tell them that people with epilepsy are just like other people, except that they sometimes have seizures. The more other people know about your condition, the more they will accept you for who you are. Will alcohol or street drugs bring on a seizure? You probably don t want to risk more seizures, or jeopardize your treatment. But if you re losing sleep or taking alcohol or drugs, you re doing just that. By missing sleep, you may provoke seizures, so it s vital to get plenty of rest. Alcohol can change the electrical activity in the brain and interact with your epilepsy medications. It s true that 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks may not significantly make a difference. But it s very easy for teens to misjudge their intake. Why would you take the chance? It should also go without saying that uppers (amphetamines), downers (barbiturates, benzodiazepines), heroin, certain painkillers, LSD ( acid ), PCP ( angel dust ), or ecstasy are not only illegal but asking for trouble. They can bring on seizures or make them worse. In fact, crack and other forms of cocaine can cause seizures in people who have never had one before. Don t be your own worst enemy.

Is it OK for me to get a part-time job? Many people with epilepsy work steady jobs and go on to have successful careers. You could be one of those people too. It will depend on the type of seizures you have, and if they are under control, and the type of work that interests you. Can playing video games make me have a seizure? For most people with epilepsy, the answer is no. But, a small number of people with epilepsy can have a seizure when they see flashing lights. If you have this kind of epilepsy, then playing a video game could be a problem. Ask your doctor about this. Why does my doctor want me to take Keppra? Many people who have epilepsy take Keppra. When taken with another epilepsy medicine, Keppra can help control certain types of seizures. You ll find more information about Keppra at www.keppra.com. Is Keppra easy to use? Yes. It comes in both a tablet and a liquid form. Your doctor will tell you which one is right for you. You can take Keppra with or without food. How many times a day do I take Keppra? Keppra is usually taken 2 times a day. But your doctor will tell you when you are supposed to take your medicine. Be sure to follow your parents and your doctor s instructions. Take it at the same time each day. Are Keppra tablets right for me? Teens can take Keppra tablets or liquid. If you take the tablets, they should be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew them. Some people have a hard time swallowing tablets. That s why Keppra comes in a liquid form. Talk to your doctor about whether the tablet or liquid form is right for you. Before you take Keppra, you or your parents should look at the bottle. That way you can tell if you were given the right medicine. The bottle should say Keppra. Make sure your medicine looks like this. Is the liquid form of Keppra easy to use? Yes. You do not have to shake the bottle or keep it in the 100 mg/ml refrigerator. Taking Keppra with a medicine spoon is easy. If you do not have a medicine spoon, your parents can ask the pharmacist for one. Do not use a teaspoon from your kitchen. If you do, you could be getting the wrong amount of Keppra. It is important to take the right dose. How will I know if Keppra is working? How a medicine works is different for each person. Be sure to follow your doctor s and your parents instructions. It s the best way to get good results. 250 mg 500 mg 750 mg Not shown at actual size.

One way to see how Keppra is working is to use the seizure diary included in this kit. It will help you keep track of how you are doing every day. The diary comes with stickers of different faces to show how you are feeling. Every day, take the sticker that looks like how you feel and paste it in the space for that day. If you have a seizure, write that down, too. Then be sure to take it with you when you see your doctor. It can help your doctor know how you are doing. The diary has directions on how to use it. Ask your parents to help you fill it out. There are also directions on how to use the interactive seizure diary that you ll find at www.keppra.com. Do I still need to take Keppra if I am not having seizures? Yes. Not having seizures is proof that Keppra is working. So keep taking it as your doctor tells you to. Talk to your parents and your doctor if you have any questions about stopping your medicine. What should I do if I miss taking my Keppra? Tell your parents. They can call your doctor or nurse. The doctor or nurse will tell them what you should do if you miss a dose. Are there any side effects? You should review the patient information that comes with this kit with your parents, so that you and your parents know how Keppra could make you feel. Like any medicine, Keppra may cause side effects. However, if you feel very sleepy, tired, or weak, tell your parents right away. Or if you don t feel like your normal self, and your mood or the way you act is changing, let your parents know right away, so that they can call your doctor or nurse. The most common side effects include feeling a little sleepier, weaker, angrier, and/or more nervous than normal. You may also accidentally hurt yourself. You may feel bad in other ways too, so you should talk to your parents and doctor if you don t feel well while taking Keppra. Write down how you are feeling in your seizure diary. That way you will not forget to talk to your doctor about it at your next office visit. Can I take other medicines while I am taking Keppra? Yes. But be sure to let your doctor know what they are. This includes off-the-shelf medicines, like cold or allergy medicine, you are taking. It also includes any vitamins or herbal medicines. What else can I do to feel like I am in control of epilepsy? Keep asking lots of questions about epilepsy. Your doctor and your parents want you to know as much as you can about epilepsy. The more you know about epilepsy, the smarter you will feel. Be sure to go to our Web site, www.keppra.com, and find out more about epilepsy and Keppra.