FAQ

What should you do if someone is having a seizure?

• Don't be afraid. Stay calm.
  
• Do not try to stop the person from shaking. If the person is walking, gently guide him/her away from dangerous places like stairs.
  
• Call 911 and tell them that you need an ambulance.
• To make sure the person doesn't get hurt, move and sharp things out of the way.
• Do not put anything in the person's mouth.
• If you can, check a clock to see what time the seizure started and what time the shaking stops or the person wakes up.
• If the person is lying down, turn him on his side.
• If the person wakes up, try to calm her by speaking in a quite voice.
• Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
  

Can I have dental X-rays or dental cleanings if I have a Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS)?

Yes.

What medicine can I take if I have a cold?

Patients who are taking anti-epileptic medicine should not take over the counter cold medication. This may cause a person to have more seizures. It is recommended that you use only saline (salt water) nose spray, throat lozenges and warm liquids to treat colds.

Do antiepileptic medications cause weight gain?

Some medications seem to affect patient's weight. This may be due to the fact that antiepileptic medication may make a person tired and less active than they were before beginning the medicine. If this becomes a problem, you should ask your doctor to substitute another antiepileptic medication.

What is a pseudoseizure or conversion disorder?

Pseudoseizures look like epileptic seizures but there is no change in electrographic (EEG) activity in the brain during the event. There is not a clear reason why or how person with pseudoseizures exhibit these symptoms, but counseling seems to help reduce the events.