Epilepsy - Prognosis

The prognosis for most patients with epilepsy today is good. The most severe symptoms of the disorder can usually be controlled by the proper program of medications. Educating the patient about his or her condition can increase the chance that attacks will be handled properly and will not produce unnecessary emotional upsets for the patient.

In most cases, however, epilepsy is a lifelong condition. A patient has to learn to live with its symptoms while trying to lead as normal a life as possible. One important step the patient can take is to wear a medical bracelet indicating that he or she is epileptic. The bracelet should also list any medications the patient is taking.

One serious complication of tonic-clonic epilepsy is called status epilepticus (pronounced STA-tuss EP-ih-LEP-tih-kuss). Status epilepticus is a condition in which attacks of tonic-clonic seizures follow each other closely. There is no recovery period between attacks when the patient returns to consciousness and normality. The patient may have trouble breathing and his or her blood pressure may rise to dangerous levels. The condition can cause death if not treated immediately. Fortunately, status epilepticus is a rare condition.