How to Help

You Can Help Your Friend or Relative to Feel Less Alone

If someone under your care has epilepsy, it is important that you talk to that person about how she or he is feeling. Many people with epilepsy worry about having a seizure in public and may stay at home more often than they would like. You can help loved ones with epilepsy feel less isolated by reaching out to them and letting them know that they don’t have to deal with their epilepsy all by themselves.

You Can Help Make Living With Epilepsy More Manageable for Your Loved One

Epilepsy can affect your loved one’s everyday life. Simple things such as going to work or driving a car may not be possible. Your loved one may be constantly worried that another seizure will come on at any time.

There are other things you can do that may help make living with epilepsy more manageable for your loved one.

• Encourage that person to join an epilepsy support group. It may help your loved one to hear from others who are going through similar experiences with epilepsy and who understand how your loved one is feeling
• Help all members of the family learn more about epilepsy. This will enable the family to provide the support your loved one needs
• If the person attends school, discuss this with the doctor as well as the teacher. The more informed the school is about epilepsy, the better prepared it will be to respond to the student's needs
• If the person is employed, discuss the best way to approach this situation in the workplace, given the specific circumstances of your loved one's job
• Make sure he or she wears a medical alert necklace or bracelet. These items provide important information that can help others know what to do and who to call if the person is experiencing a seizure
• Encourage the use of public transportation. Just because epilepsy prevents some people from being able to drive shouldn't mean they have to sit at home.  Many areas have convenient, affordable public transportation options that can help your loved one get out there and get on with everyday life

There are many other things you can do to make it easier for your loved one to live with epilepsy. Talk to your loved one and to the doctor to find out additional ways you may be able to help.

You Can Help Your Friend or Loved One Find the Right Treatment

You may be the key to helping those under your care get the right treatment that may finally help get their epilepsy under control. You may want to think about speaking directly with a health care professional who understands your situation and who can give you advice on treatment and ongoing care.

You can help your loved ones get the treatment that is right for them. You can also encourage them to take their medication in the way their doctor has prescribed.

LYRICA^® (pregabalin) capsules CV has been proven effective in clinical trials to help reduce seizures in adults who are also taking other drugs to treat seizures. You may want to ask the doctor if LYRICA could be right for your loved one.