Dr. David Ficker

Ask the Neurologist:

Dr. David Ficker

What if medications don’t work?

In the past fifteen years many new medications for the treatment of epilepsy have been approved. These new medications have been helpful for many patients with epilepsy. Unfortunately for some, medications have not been able to completely control seizures; in fact, for about 1 in 3 with epilepsy, seizures remain uncontrolled. Once an individual does not respond to three different seizure medications, the chance for seizure control is less than 10%. Fortunately, there are other options available that may offer good changes for seizure control.

Brain surgery in selected cases offers up to an 80% chance for seizure freedom. This treatment is offered at epilepsy centers. Many patients who are good candidates for epilepsy surgery are never referred for evaluation and these individuals continue to have unnecessary seizures despite being excellent candidates for surgery. Not all patients will be candidates for surgery, but sometimes vagus nerve stimulation or other treatments may then be recommended.

You can find out more about epilepsy surgery on the Epilepsy Foundation’s website under “Answer Place.” If your

seizures are not controlled; please contact your local affiliate for the location of the nearest epilepsy center.