Teens with Epilepsy
Important information:
The path from childhood to adolescence to adulthood is filled with transitions. Young people with epilepsy have some unique things to prepare for. Below you will find some important tips to assist you along this journey.
Patient instructions:
Driving
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You must report your epilepsy diagnosis to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state.
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To obtain a driver’s license, you must be seizure-free for 6 months to a year. This varies by state. The person responsible for reporting the seizure-free period also varies by state.
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If you have a new seizure, you or your provider must notify the DMV. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware your medical provider notifies the DMV. For individual state requirements go to Driving Laws | Epilepsy Foundation.
Sports
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Patients with epilepsy enjoy the same health benefits from exercise as those without epilepsy. Examples include improved sleep, focus, strength, and mood. They may also have improved seizure control and fewer side effects from medicines.
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Most sports, including contact sports, are safe for people with epilepsy.
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You must be careful in sports that involve heights, such as gymnastics, rock climbing or horseback riding. It is best to avoid anything higher than monkey bars.
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Water sports and swimming are safe if seizures are well-controlled, and you are not alone. A responsible adult should be within your reach while you are in the water.
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High-risk sports such as hang-gliding, scuba diving or free climbing are not recommended. You could be severely injured if you had a seizure during these activities.
Hanging out with friends
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If you can, plan your social activities so that you minimize the risk of having a seizure.
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Make sure that you will not miss a meal.
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Bring your medicine with you if you are due for a dose.
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Tell someone where you are going.
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You can choose who you tell about your epilepsy and how much you share. It may be helpful to talk with your close friends or roommates, so that they know what to do if you have a seizure. If your provider gave you a seizure action plan, it’s a good idea to share that as well.
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We recommend that you wear a medical alert bracelet.
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If you are under 18, make sure an adult is with you who has your seizure rescue medicine.
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Helpful links:
Education
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Young people with epilepsy may have issues that impact their education needs in school.
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Your medicine may make you tired.
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You may have difficulty with memory or concentration.
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You need to be able to get enough sleep, which may affect decisions about housing at college.
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It is important to communicate with the health care staff or the Office of Student Accommodations to discuss what accommodations you are entitled to, including both academic and residential. If you have an IEP/504 from your current school, it may be helpful to share that with them as well.
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You may find it helpful to tell your teachers about your epilepsy.
Birth control and pregnancy
Birth control
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Some seizure medicines make birth control methods less effective. This increases the risk of pregnancy.
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Some birth control methods can make seizure medicine less effective. This increases the risk of seizures.
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If you are planning to start birth control, talk with both your epilepsy provider and your OB/GYN about how it may affect your seizure medicine.
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For more information go to Epilepsy Foundation: Birth Control.
Pregnancy
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Patients with epilepsy can become pregnant and give birth to healthy babies.
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As your body changes during pregnancy, doses of seizure medicine may need to be adjusted.
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Some epilepsy medicines can hurt the developing fetus. Your epilepsy provider may change your seizure medicine during pregnancy.
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Seizures during pregnancy can hurt the developing fetus.
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It is important to start prenatal vitamins early in pregnancy.
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Talk to your epilepsy provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Drugs and alcohol
Alcohol
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Alcohol can make seizure medicine less effective and make side effects worse.
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Some seizure medicines enhance the effect of alcohol. You may get drunk quickly.
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Drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause seizures. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures as well.
Marijuana
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Medical marijuana (Epidiolex®) is approved for certain types of hard-to-treat seizures.
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Recreational marijuana can vary in dose and may contain substances that could increase the risk of seizures.
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Recreational marijuana can be a safety risk. It can affect your focus, memory, and coordination.
Other concerns
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Other recreational drugs may interact with seizure medicines or trigger seizures. Some examples include cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and synthetic cannabinoids.
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Alcohol or recreational drug use can indirectly increase the risk of seizures by increasing the chances of missing doses of medicine, disrupting sleep, and missing meals.
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Please talk with your epilepsy provider if you are considering taking pre-workout or other supplements, energy drinks, or over-the-counter medicines, such as allergy or cold medicines. These may interact with your seizure medicines.
Helpful websites
Reviewed June 2024 Zia Gajaray MD and Lawrence Fried MD