1. Consider the Cause
The treatment for simple partial seizure activity varies by syndrome cause. These episodes often stem from a brain injury, tumor, stroke or a congenital defect, and some acute conditions may require immediate surgery to correct the issue. When you meet with your doctor, he will conduct tests and take a medical history to rule out seizures that mimic simple partial episodes. Psychiatric illness, recreational drug use, gastrointestinal conditions or pinched nerves can all cause seizure-like symptoms. Once your neurologist has determined the source of your episodes, he'll proceed with proper treatment or refer you to a specialist who can address complicating medical conditions.
2. Try Antiepileptic Drugs
While antiepileptics (AEDs) are not epilepsy cures, they can help slow or stop simple partial seizure episodes in some patients. AEDs stabilize sporadic neurological signals in a majority of cases, but it may take weeks or months to find the most effective drugs and dosing. You should also discuss medication timing with your doctor, who may prefer to hold off on pharmacointervention if your seizures are mild or occur infrequently. While the list of side effects you'll receive may seem scary, most AEDs are quite safe. Discuss current prescriptions with your physician before starting an AED to ensure the drugs are not contraindicated.
Some of the most common and well-tolerated AEDs include carbamazepine (Tegretol), pregabalin (Lyrica) and dilvalproex sodium (Depakote). These drugs can cause abnormal blood and platelet counts in some patients, so consult your doctor for regular liver function and blood-cell-count testing. Side effects of AEDs may include nausea, poor balance, confusion, anxiety and constipation. Some studies indicate that children and adolescents may suffer from a reduction in IQ while taking these medications, so discuss this at length with your health team if your child suffers from seizures.
It's critical to take your medication regularly as prescribed in order to avoid breakthrough seizures or severe side effects. If you forget one or more doses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It is not a good idea to take several doses at once in order to catch up on your medications.
3. Investigate Surgical Options
A small number of patients are candidates for surgery when they exhibit simple partial seizures. Surgery usually consists of removing a small portion of the brain that is the source of seizure activity, but it is only an option if a neurosurgeon can remove the area without disrupting normal brain function. Other, less invasive surgical options include the implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator--a battery-operated electrical source that sends electrical signals to a large nerve in your neck. While this procedure is still fairly new, some seizure patients have had episode reduction as a result of the implant. While you may be scared of surgical options involving the brain, this may be a valuable option when you have not gotten relief from AEDs or other forms of treatment.
4. Use Complementary Therapies for Stress Relief
There is no scientific evidence proving that alternative therapies reduce or prevent simple partial seizure activity, but you may benefit from including them with your AEDs or other medical regimens. Acupuncture, which stimulates the nerve endings to help with symptom treatment and overall health, may help you achieve emotional and physical balance and assist you in dealing with your condition. Aromatherapy is another well-tolerated alternative approach, and some epilepsy patients use oils like chamomile, lavender and ylang-ylang to reduce anxiety, encourage sleep and improve their mental states. If you decide to try aromatherapy, consult a specialist for aromatic oil recommendations. Some fragrances have been found to trigger or exacerbate seizures in some people.
