Seizures can occur after a brain injury. They can be a one-off incident at the time of your injury or after surgery or can occur weeks or even months later.

During mild seizures, you may experience ‘zoning out’, gazing into the distance, fluttering eyelids, episodes of déjà vu, or jerky arm or leg movements. This activity may only last 5-30 seconds. Severe, or complex, seizures can cause falls and collapses with more severe jerky limb movement and may render you unconscious.

This type of seizure activity can last up to three minutes. Some people have “warning signs” - e.g. tingling in their fingers or face, or a strange taste in their mouth.  Some seizures appear to have a pattern - e.g. every 6 weeks, every 3 months. Others have little or no consistent factors or pattern.

After a seizure you will feel dazed and tired for a few hours or even ‘out of sorts’ for a few days.

Treatment

You will be given medication to try and reduce or stop the seizures. It can take time to find the right tablet and dosage for you. Some common epilepsy tablets are: Sodium Valproate, Keppra, Epilim, Carbamazepine

Important notes on epilepsy medication

  • Do not miss a dose
  • Take your medication at the set time
  • Never just stop taking your medication. They need to be gradually reduced. Ask your GP or Consultant to help you with this.

Things that can trigger a seizure

  • Too much alcohol
  • Drugs
  • High stress levels
  • Tiredness
  • Strobe or bright flashing lights
  • High temperatures
  • Poor diet
  • Hormonal changes

Driving

Many people are able to continue to drive a car / motorbike with epilepsy, provided the condition is controlled via medication, and that there has been no seizure within the past 12 months (different criteria apply to lorry drivers).

It is important that you inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you have been diagnosed, or if there is a change in your condition. Failure to do so could result in a fine of £1000!

Employment

Some people with epilepsy are able to continue working with support from their employer. It is important that if you do decide to continue working that you make your employer aware of your epilepsy and you discuss with them how best to manage your epilepsy whilst at work.

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure that they make reasonable adjustments (e.g. reduced hours) to allow you to carry on working in a safe environment. A member of the ABI team can also provide support and advice for you and your employer.

Memory

People sometimes experience memory difficulties before, during or after a seizure. The reason for this depends on a range of factors such as the type of seizure, duration of seizures, medications and so forth.

Using memory aids such as a diary and notepad can help you to manage your memory difficulties. A member of the ABI team can also provide support and advice to help you manage your memory problems.

People who access our services are welcome to talk to the Team Manager if they are experiencing any problems with their care.

Managing your Epilepsy

  • Understand your triggers
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet
  • Take your epilepsy medication at the set time.
  • Get a good night’s sleep
  • Make sure that you carry your emergency medication if you have one

How to find us:

Acquired Brain Injury Service Acorn Suite Countess of Chester Health Park Liverpool Road Chester CH2 1HJ Tel: 01244 389252 Fax: 01244 389255

Useful Contacts

The following organisations are independent of CWP, contact details are provided for information purposes only. CWP will not be responsible for any advice or treatment provided by these organisations.

  • Depression Alliance: information, support and understanding to those who are affected by depression Website: www.depressionalliance.org Tel: 0845 123 23 20
  • MIND: A Leading mental health organisation Website: www.mind.org.uk Info line: 0845 766 0163
  • Samaritans: Confidential support for anyone in a crisis Tel: 0345 909090 (Local Call Rate)
  • Headway: The Brain Injury Association Website: www.headway.org.uk E-mail: enquiries@headway.org.uk Tel: 0115 924 0800
  • Saneline: information and support for anyone affected by mental health problems including families and carers. Website: www.sane.org.uk Tel: 0845 767 8000
  • Stroke Association Website: www.stroke.org.uk Tel: 0303 3033 100

If you would like this information in another format, please speak to a member of CWP staff or e-mail cwp.info@nhs.net.
June 2020 Version 1.
www.cwp.nhs.uk.