Managing epilepsy can be a task at any age. You will learn to manage certain aspects of it through experience. However, as you get older, the effects of the disorder can become more dangerous as comorbidities and the effects of aging begin to appear in your daily life.
Compensate for Medication Shortage
Although there is no substance explicitly designed for epilepsy treatment, anticonvulsant treatments work well. However, there is often a shortage of many of the most widely used, such as 100 mg tablets of Carbamazepine (Tegretol). Your doctor/pharmacist can create divisions, known as aliquots, from your supply. Aliquots refer to the splitting of substances and are used mostly for research. It is helpful to stockpile extra tablets to compensate for supply issues.
Get Help with Physical Tasks
The symptoms of epilepsy can be mild to severe. It also includes a range of issues, from migraine-like pain in your head to grand-mal (unconscious) seizures. The effects following a seizure (the post-ictal stage) can be severe. Balance, coordination, and depression are typical following a seizure. And that’s not including the muscle pain and exhaustion. Following seizures, it is likely you will need help with physical tasks as it can be dangerous to even get out of bed!
Managing Epilepsy with a Diary
Everyone has their own way of dealing with medical issues. Epilepsy is almost unique because there are very pronounced symptoms and effects. There are over 550,000 senior citizens in the US with epilepsy. Many find it helpful to record what happens in a dairy. This includes how you feel before a seizure, what happened during or after, and remedies you use such as CBD. A diary can be a massive help to ease your mind. It can also help identify patterns and triggers.
Don’t Go Out Alone
It can be a challenge to go out alone in your 60s,70s, and 80s or older at the best of times. When you throw epilepsy in the mix of issues you may have, it becomes perilous indeed. Your bones aren’t what they used to be, and there are also specific embarrassing issues that can come with a seizure. If at all possible, try to have someone accompany you at all times when you need to leave home. Getting out is essential for your health, but don’t do it alone.
Refrain from Triggers
As mentioned above, a diary can be helpful for learning patterns and triggers. Some people with epilepsy have apparent triggers, such as specific patterns of light or sound. But for most, triggers can remain unidentified. This is because there is a wide range of triggers. Triggers can be sensory, emotional, and completely random. However, if you know what your triggers are, then it is a no-brainer to keep away from them. Working on this takes time but is worth the effort.
Summary
Stockpiling and dividing medication can help when managing epilepsy through medication shortages. A diary is helpful in identifying triggers and spotting patterns that work against your health. Of course, staying away from triggers offers a greater chance of a healthier lifestyle.
