What is epilepsy?

A group of disorders marked by problems in the normal functioning of the brain. These problems can produce seizures, unusual body movements, a loss of consciousness or changes in consciousness, as well as mental problems or problems with the senses.

How do members experience epilepsy?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with epilepsy*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for epilepsy*

*Data from patients with epilepsy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with epilepsy*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Lamictal)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (2 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
epilepsy (11)
Treatment

(Keppra)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (5 evaluations)
Side effects
dizziness hyperactivity 3 more
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
epilepsy (11)
Treatment

(Depakote)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (2 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea dizziness 5 more
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
epilepsy (5)
Treatment

(Vimpat)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
epilepsy (4)
Treatment

(Zonegran)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (3 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
epilepsy (4)

*Data from patients with epilepsy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has epilepsy on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 223
20s 663
30s 2,041
40s 2,717
50s 2,675
60s 1,886
70+ 784

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 3,435
Female 7,535

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as member Letitia explains in this video.

What is epilepsy?

A group of disorders marked by problems in the normal functioning of the brain. These problems can produce seizures, unusual body movements, a loss of consciousness or changes in consciousness, as well as mental problems or problems with the senses.



Common symptoms reported by people with epilepsy

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for epilepsy

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Lamictal)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3,096
Tried for
epilepsy (11)
Treatment name(s)

(Keppra)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3,483
Tried for
epilepsy (11)
Treatment name(s)

(Depakote)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,923
Tried for
epilepsy (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Vimpat)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
956
Tried for
epilepsy (4)
Treatment name(s)

(Zonegran)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,032
Tried for
epilepsy (4)

Data from patients with epilepsy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:


Compare treatments taken by people with epilepsy

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Lamictal)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (2 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
epilepsy (11)
Treatment name(s)

(Keppra)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (5 evaluations)
Side effects
dizziness hyperactivity 3 more
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
epilepsy (11)
Treatment name(s)

(Depakote)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (2 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea dizziness 5 more
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
epilepsy (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Vimpat)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
epilepsy (4)
Treatment name(s)

(Zonegran)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (3 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
epilepsy (4)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with epilepsy, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:



Who has epilepsy on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 12 new patients joined this month
  • 10,539 say epilepsy is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 223
20s 663
30s 2,041
40s 2,717
50s 2,675
60s 1,886
70+ 784
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 2,805
20-29 years 817
30-39 years 466
40-49 years 271
50-59 years 78
60-69 years 28
70+ years 7

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 3,435
Female 7,535

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 6,055
Not Diagnosed 182

These charts show data from epilepsy patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: