Freedom from Epileptic Seizures
from BestHealth, November 2003
Diagnosed with grand mal (tonic clonic) epileptic seizures at age 10, Sheri Clark of Franklin, N.C., suffered for 23 years before she found relief.
Doctors had prescribed a host of medications which minimized but did not eliminate the seizures, leaving Clark with memory and concentration deficits. She was a young mother with a 5-year-old son, and her inability to concentrate, or to drive, made her concerned for her son’s welfare.
Clark was referred to Dr. Maria Sam in the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, which is recognized internationally for epilepsy care. The Center is among the nation’s top-rated epilepsy programs, and the only program in western North Carolina that meets the Level IV guidelines of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers for top-level medical and surgical centers.
The multidisciplinary staff includes neurologists trained in epilepsy (epileptologists), neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, nursing specialists, pharmacists, EEG technologists, a social worker and a coordinator.
A full spectrum of diagnostic tools allows for a complete patient evaluation. Confirming the diagnosis and pinpointing the origin of the seizure activity is the primary goal of the Center’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. The six-bed unit allows simultaneous video and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings of seizure activity 24 hours a day. Staffed by specially-trained nurses and EEG technologists, this unit enables personnel to record and correlate clinical behavior, providing the information needed for proper diagnosis and treatment. Three stages of monitoring are available. Diagnostic monitoring is used to distinguish seizures from non-epileptic events. Phase I monitoring classifies the seizures. Phase II monitoring is recommended when Phase I data is insufficient to determine if surgery can be performed. Each stage can last from several days to a week or more.
Once sufficient data has been gathered, the epilepsy team determines treatment. As an active participant in the development of new anti-convulsant drugs, the Center can offer eligible patients an opportunity to participate in studies of experimental medications.
When medication alone can’t control seizures, treatment options such as surgical removal of the epileptic focus (origin of the seizure) or implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator are considered.
For Clark, neurosurgeon Steven Glazier, M.D., performed temporal lobectomy surgery in 1999. Clark has been seizure-free ever since.
The surgery has changed Clark’s life. Not only does she now have a driver’s license, she has earned a degree in English and is working on one in medical transcription.
“I’m no longer on seizure medications and, except for some anxiety attacks, I’m feeling great! The doctors say if my brain gets used to not having seizures, the anxiety attacks will go away,” said Clark.
“The doctors at the Epilepsy Center have been absolutely wonderful to me. Dr. Maria Sam and Dr. Steve Glazier are so supportive and caring — I couldn’t ask for better care.”
Treatment Options for Epilepsy Control
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center’s leadership in the field of epilepsy treatment allows patients early access to the newest medications through clinical trials. The Medical Center’s epileptologists — including specialists in pediatric epilepsy — are experts in selecting the drug combinations most suitable for each patient.
When medication alone can’t control seizures, specialists here evaluate patients for other treatment options, such as surgery or implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator. This approach is especially beneficial for children, who can be spared the learning and developmental problems associated with poor seizure control.
The Epilepsy Information Service of WFUBMC is an excellent resource for patients and their families. Managed by an internationally recognized expert in epilepsy, the service offers local support groups, guidance and education through a national toll-free line, 1-800-642-0500.
For more information, visit www.wfubmc.edu/neuro/epilepsy.