Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: A Severe Form of Epilepsy
Treatment & First Aid
Treatments
The good news is that there are more treatments than ever for epilepsy. The "not so good" news is that because there are so many options, finding the best treatment (or in many cases, treatments) can take time. This is true for many children, particularly those with severe, hard-to-treat epilepsy such Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Trying different treatments, comparing the results, and keeping track of it all can be confusing and sometimes frustrating. It is important that you work closely with your medical team – asking questions and providing information as needed. Click here for tips to help you do that.
In most cases, children with epilepsy will be treated with medication first. Most, particularly those with conditions such as LGS, will need to try different antiepileptic (seizure-preventing) drugs before the right one is found. In some cases, more than one kind of medicine will be necessary. Click here for more information on epilepsy medications.
Sometimes, medication alone doesn’t work. Or, the medication can cause problems or serious side effects. In those cases, doctors may recommend trying other treatments, such as:
- The ketogenic diet or other restricted diets
- A vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) implant
- In rare cases, surgery
Some people have also found success using herbs, vitamins and other complementary therapies along with medical treatments, but you should always check with your doctor first before trying these.
Seizure First Aid
In addition to making sure that your child receives the best treatment, you also need to know what to do (and what NOT to do) when your child has a seizure. Equally important is making sure that anyone who cares for your child (even for a short time) knows basic first aid procedures. Click here for easy-to-follow guidelines. It can be very helpful to develop an emergency plan especially in the event your child has prolonged or cluster seizures while travelling (e.g., on vacation).
