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[Swimming1921]

Tired of medication. Seizures are worst after age 50

Has anyone tried any non pharmaceutical approach like holistic medicine or homeopathic or ayurvedic or energy medicine?

I know sleep is important. Any ideas to cope with insomnia when you are also dealing with epilepsy?

Thanks 🙏

[maya72]

Hi !It might be sound funny but for me paracetamol helps 1 tablet after trying a lot of different meds. Have good day

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi Swimming1921

Thank you for your post. It sounds like your insomnia and seizures are having a real impact on you. Both are very difficult to deal with.

Complementary treatments may be used alongside epilepsy medicines but should not replace them. We have information on complementary treatment and epilepsy that explains what some of the most used complementary treatments are, and whether there is any evidence about their usefulness in treating epilepsy. It also looks at whether there are any safety concerns. epilepsy.org.uk/info/treatm...

We also have information on the links between epilepsy, seizures, epilepsy medicines and sleep disturbance. It also looks briefly at sleep disorders and how they can also affect people with epilepsy. epilepsy.org.uk/info/health...

As you are still having seizures, are you being seen by an epilepsy specialist so they can review your treatment and look at other possible reasons for your seizures to still be happening? They may suggest trying a different epilepsy medicine. If you have tried several types of epilepsy medicines, it may be the specialist could look into other treatment options for you. epilepsy.org.uk/info/treatm...

If you are not under a specialist, you will need to ask your family doctor to refer you. This would usually be to a neurologist. The ideal would be to someone with a specialist interest in epilepsy, as there are many different neurological conditions, and neurologists tend to specialise in different ones.

You can also get further information about your insomnia from your family doctor, epilepsy nurse or epilepsy specialist.

If you wish to talk to our helpline team and you live in the UK please do phone our freephone helpline 0808 800 5050.

Our helpline is open Monday to Thursday 8.30am until 7.00pm, Friday 8.30am until 4.30pm and Saturday 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Regards

Diane

Helpline Team

[car67]

Hi swimming 1921

Yes my seizure activity has worsened after 50. I have tried natural medication but to be honest only as add ones as oppose to coming off my epilepsy medication. I too struggle to sleep and am awake from 5am , it’s a vicious circle when I’m working as I am exhausted by 2pm, the circle just continues.

I would speak to your neurologist before trying any natural medication as you don’t want your seizure activity to worsen. Good luck 🤞