Book Description

Customer Reviews (17)

Must Read on Epilepsy
This book provides an excellent information source for people with epilepsy and offers vital information to help them control their seisures.

This book is a GODSEND to me.
I have always had seizures since I was a small child. I had no idea I could do more for myself than take the pills I was given by my doctor. I no longer have seizures since reading this book. I have lost my drivers on occasion due to seizures!!!

The information in this book should be more available to everyone!!! Doctors should be telling people some of the information in this book during their visits. The nutrition section was extremely important to me.

My new life has begun.
I have a completely new life now after reading this book and Treating Epilepsy Naturally by Patricia A. Murphy.These two books have so changed my life that I can hardly believe it.I wish I would have had these books over 20 years ago.But now, I have them and am so grateful.After having a seizure every week I am almost beside myself now that it has been over 6 weeks.And I haven't even tried everything in these books.Just a few.I wish I could give a medal to the authors.I wish I could express my thanks properly.If you have epilepsy or know someone who does, you won't regret reading these books and applying their advice.They are an answered prayer.

A Classic "Must Read" for epilepsy patients, their families and friends and health care providers
In spite of no new edition for ten years, this book is still highly relevent. The information on medication is a bit dated but everything else seems to be timeless.

In a world full of medical miracles people often expect a simple solution to their medical problems; i.e., "take a pill and everything will be alright." With epilepsy that is often not the case. There is so much more to the condition than just seizures. There is so much more to treating the disease than just taking pills. Most physicians are so pressed for time because of managed care and too few specialty providers that they rarely have time during an appointment to discuss the many aspects of epilepsy let alone the finer points of treating it.

This book addresses the many facets of epilepsy and suggests ways that individuals can take control of their disease. Most of the ideas are backed up with anecdotal evidence, but the concepts are extremely cogent and intellectually appealing.

Rather than listing the contents of the book I think it is sufficient to say that the book advocates a holistic approach to the person with epilepsy. I heartily endorse that idea. It will be up to the individual and their family to make that happen. Physicians can help by directing people to resources outside of the traditional "just take your meds" approach. It is good to have a balanced approach to this condition.

I highly recommend this book. It is extremely well written and is a joy to read. Of all of the books I have read on epilepsy (so far), it more than any other paints a broad picture of the disease and advocates a balanced approach (between traditional medicine and alternative methods) to helping the person take control of their disease process.

An excellent book
I bought this book back in 1995, and I still use it. It has chapters on foods and chemicals to avoid, exercises, relaxation... It is very helpful and my seizures have lessened. I cannot guarantee if they lessened due to this book, but I think so (o: ... Read more

Book Description

Hard-to-find information on epilepsy, presented by an author living successfully with the condition

Drugs commonly used to treat epilepsy have some extremely harmful side effects. Treating Epilepsy Naturally is an empathetic, practical, empowering look at treatment options, lifestyle choices, and ways of living well. Written by an author who has been successfully living with it herself for most of her adult life, this comprehensive guide offers alternative treatments to replace and to complement traditional therapies and sound advice to find the right health practitioner for you.

Customer Reviews (9)

Reading this book was like finding burid treasure.
I used to believe an epileptic (like myself) just went to his doctor every 6 months, had a brief visit, and gave me a prescription for more pills.

Little did I know that there a number of things I can do to improve my condition on my own in addition to taking my pills. I do not have all day to list them but if you want to learn for yourself take a few hours of your life and read this book.

It can improve your condition dramatically buy it. If you want to continue on without hope and having seizures don't bother. Just go to your doctor every 6 months and keep taking your pills so you have as few as possible.

If you don't have your health you don't have anything. If you would like to buy the supplements listed in this book in one bottle (which are all safe) please go to a website by Dr. Balch.

Go to google and as the subject type in DR BALCH EPILEPSY.

Interesting
The whole concept of the benefits of ketosis is very mysterious. This book does a good job of explaining the benefits to epileptic children and others. It lays out the diet and gives recipes.I believe that it has merit for some sufferers and if I had a child experienceing seizures I would certainly recommend reading this.

EXCELLENT SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THOSE WITH OR CARETAKERS OF THOSE WITH EPILEPSY
I read the entire book and I have implemented some of the nutritional suggestions which Ms. Murphy made to help control my son's epilepsy, which has never been well-controlled by medication.I have found that these changes seem to be reducing his seizures.I thought her complete review of vitamins and nutrients and how they interact with neurological processes was very well-written and easy to understand.Additionally, her assertions are backed up by other well-known medical professionals whose books I have read, so I think her research was thorough.

I have a new life.
I have a new life now.After reading this book and Epilepsy: A New Approach by Adrienne Richard and Joel Reiter, M.D. I have a new life.Words cannot not express my gratitude or how this book has changed my life in just a matter of weeks.I've never gone this long without a seizure since I was 13.Usually every week.I think it has almost been 6 weeks now.I can't believe how simple it was.And all I did was the basic things.I still haven't employed everything.I still have my auras but they are changing and I am incorporating more of the strategies to reduce them.I have a new life.If you want to change your life, read these two books.I don't know how to express my thanks to these authors.It has changed my entire outlook and my confidence and my hope for my future.

Be careful when reading this book
I am not a neurologist but have a strong personal interest in epilepsy. I read this book with great care. There are many chapters of significant merit including chapters 10-20. These chapters include the seizure taming effects of relaxation and certain types of music, doing things to prevent seizure progression when an aura is felt, lots of general information on epilepsy that is organized on a gender or age basis, the challenges of finding employment, and advice on a whole host of life issues that people with epilepsy often face. These are even more thoroughly covered in a number of other references which I have also read that come from the medical community.

So here is the real issue; what is in chapters 1-9? These chapters are loaded with information on diet, food supplements, vitamins, minerals, oriental medicine and other alternative and complementary approaches to treating epilepsy. As I read the Forward by Russell Blaylock MD and chapters 1-9 I had a growing sense that the author's thesis or belief is that traditional American medical treatment of epilepsy on the whole may do more harm than good and should be avoided if possible and that the natural approach is without risk and should be used preferentially. The real problem with this philosophy is that there are many people out there that will believe such nonsense. Any natural approach has risks as well as possible (if unproven) benefits. I certainly do not want to deny that there are problems associated with traditional medical treatment of epilepsy. Side effects are a real issue and can not be ignored.

The book has many unsubstantiated assertions that would make people think that the medical profession as a whole is uninformed. That is most unfortunate. Here is one example from the Forward;

("Doctors in general have difficulty with biochemistry in medical school......If your doctors do not understand these molecular events how can they efficiently treat your disorder? In addition to this lack of knowledge......" p. iv

Chapter 1 is a testimonial by the author on how she dealt with her epilepsy by eliminating junk food from her diet, switching to wholesome foods, adding herbs to the mix (skullcap and goldenseal), exercising and losing weight. She also decreased the amount of Phenobarbital she was taking. At that point she endorses a definition of drugs as being "poison(s)." The reader is also introduced to Robert Fried Ph.D. (a neuropsychologist?) Dr. Fried allegedly has come to the conclusion that "Seizures are metabolical, (sic) not neurological." Dr. Fried also allegedly feels that seizures are more like a regulatory body-process, like vomiting, rather than a disease process. The seizures are, allegedly according to the author, in a way readjusting the individual's metabolism to attempt to achieve homeostasis. My understanding is that there are some seizures that have a metabolic origin but they are in the minority. Certainly eating better and taking care of one's body should make a difference in overall health. Whether that will cure epilepsy is far from proven.

Chapter 4 starts by stating that if you have seizures it is imperative that you see a physician. That is good advice. An implication is made that hypoglycemia may be a major cause of seizures. Such an assertion ("major cause")is a little bit irresponsible in my opinion. It is correctly pointed out that anticonvulsants can have long-term adverse effects on calcium metabolism and bone health. It is then pointed out that phenytoin (an increasingly infrequently used old line anticonvulsant) contains "Drano" and "antifreeze." Puleeeze give us a break.Most readers should know better than to believe that. The real problem with this book as I see it is that there are people out there that will actually believe these assertions that are thrown in for effect, and may avoid the medical profession and thus deny themselves of the benefits that modern medical science has to offer. I in fact know of one mother that read this book four years ago and then took her daughter off of her medication feeling that it was too toxic to tolerate. The daughter's seizures that had been completely controlled for 9 months returned after 3 weeks and have never been under good control since then, in spite of restarting and then trying other medications. A reference should have been included, to the important studies that show that people that achieve complete control on medication for at least 2 or 4 years, have a high likelihood (better than 50/50) of not needing medications after that point, but that those that go off medication early and relapse are often difficult to control. On the whole this book is not balanced and this is one example where the other side of the picture should have been presented.

Chapter 5 on nutrition is interesting and useful. It is smart to eat right.

A lot of chapter 6, "Foods that Harm" makes sense.

Chapter 7 "Foods that Heal" has some interesting ideas. There is information on food supplements as well. I think a more scientific approach to the use of food supplements could have been taken. The issue of the blood brain barrier is not dealt with. There are many unsubstantiated assertions in this chapter. The section on GABA is a good example of both of these problems. GABA does not cross the blood brain barrier and so orally ingested GABA will not end up in the central nervous system. The section ends by stating that "daily supplementation of 500 to 1,000 mg of GABA has been shown to help prevent seizures." This is an irresponsible statement, that if taken and followed, could cost the individual several hundred dollars a year, and all for naught.

Chapter 8 is about the Ketogenic Diet. Although it can help in those with seizures that are particularly difficult to control, I think that most neurologists would not routinely recommend it. The chapter fails to point out the downside of the ketogenic diet and fails to point out that it will not work unless the patient is truly ketotic. Adding fats to a regular diet to try and achieve some of the benefits of the ketogenic diet will only result in weight gain, elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and possibly exacerbation of seizures. Studies have shown that simply losing weight correlates with better seizure control.

Chapter 9 on herbs is interesting but readers should look to other sources before investing a small fortune on those options. A recent book by Orrin Devinsky, MD takes a critical look at herbs (and other alternative and complementary methods of approaching epilepsy) and cites relevant scientific literature (if it exists) that confirms the value of various herbs.

On the whole I do not feel that this is a balanced book. Nor do I feel that the author intended for it to be a balanced book. The sources cited as experts are too dominated by acquaintances of the author and not enough is cited from peer review scientific literature. There are far too many unsubstantiated assertions. Actually following some of the advice in the book could lead to lost opportunities to get epilepsy under control and could lead to much expense in search of the often elusive goal of effectively treating epilepsy without medication. I cannot recommend this book. I can recommend Dr. Devinsky's book "Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy."It is a bit pricy so I recommend borrowing it from your local library unless you are a physician or a hopeless book collector that likes to buy medical texts. I give this book 2 stars because it does have some useful information. The other stuff unfortunately brings it down to a "2."

... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Epilepsy Patient and Family Guide
This is a very informative book.I would recommend to both freinds and family members of Epilepsy patients.

everything you need to know about epilepsy
I found this book very beneficial and loaded with many important facts and information for lay people to comprehend.

Excellent Overview
Great for patients/families with a new diagnosis of epilepsy or someone that has had epilepsy for many years.
Excellent handbook to have available.

Epilepsy: Patient and Family Guide
This book offers a great overview of epilepsy.I found it up to date and informative.I would highly recommend it for anyone who is newly diagnosed or who has a family member diagnosed with epilepsy.

Devinsky: Epilepsy, Patient & Family Guide
This book is what it claims to be, a good intelligible guide to epilepsy for non-medics.BUT there is far too little (less than one page) on Sudden Unexplained Death, Epilepsy (SUDEP), which can devastate families and friends.While the mortality rate associated with epilepsy may be small, the effect of sudden death is enormous.Like almost everything else I have read on the subject, this book inadequately recognizes the risks of death.The words "death" and "mortality" are not even in Devinsky's index (though SUDEP is). So -- a good book, with a crucial omission. ... Read more

Product Description
This story dispels the myths and fears surrounding epilepsy in a positive, upbeat and entertaining style while explaining seizures in an understandable fashion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great book for helping young children learn about epilepsy
Last year in first grade, we used this book given to us by our Neurologist to teach my daughter and her class about her newly diagnosed seizures.It was most helpful and well received by all.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Epilepsy doesn't have to run or ruin your life.This enlightening book demystifies the disease and can empower you to take control. Illness and stress are just a few of the triggers that can set off an epileptic seizure. And when seizures strike, victims often feel fear, embarrassment, and helplessness. But now there's plenty of hope for the millions of people who have some form of epilepsy. Thanks to new drugs and treatments, those with recurrent seizures are able to manage epilepsy and control their lives.Learn the truth about how to deal with seizures in Epilepsy: A Cleveland Clinic Guide by Dr. Elaine Wyllie. Her easy-to-understand book provides thoughtful information for people with epilepsy and their parents, friends, teachers, and co-workers. This is a must-read epilepsy book for anyone who wants to understand the disorder. ... Read more

Book Description

Treatment options, lifestyle strategies,and emotional support for two million Americans.

Customer Reviews (2)

Ready for an Apology...
This is an excellent book and helps you deal with the brain disease of a loved one.I read this book because my wife of 21 years suffers from epilepsy.

She was first diagnosed with it about 20 years ago, while I was an Army officer assigned to Germany.She only had one seizure then and the doctors said it was probably stress-induced, so she reduced her stress levels.She did not go on any medication then.The book talks about this type of seizure and how many people in this scenario will only experience one seizure in their lifetime.

She remained seizure free until about two years later when we moved back to the states.The stress of the move, coupled with two new babies (they are 14 months apart) triggered her to have another one.And then another one 3 days after that.She started having seizures every few days.One seizure even occurred while she was driving down the interstate with our two kids in the backseat in their car seats.She luckily could feel it coming on, pulled the car over, put the car in "Park", then had the seizure.The book discusses this phenomenon and I understand it better now.

The book also talks a lot about medications available.In my wife's case, the doctors were able to successfully stop the seizures by putting her on the anti-seizure drug called Tegretol.She still takes it religiously 3 times a day.

The book also talks about the history of epilepsy.How the churches have been telling everyone for 2000 years that it is caused by "demon possession".And about how in many parts of the world the churches are still doing this practice.I can understand this mistake. I mean, if you can't explain a phenomenon truthfully, why not just make something up, like "demon possession"?And then tell all your constituents that you better get in here so you don't get it, too!After all, it just makes good business sense.And their offerings went way up, after this little fib.

And it's really no big deal except that the "aura" of it still lives on today here in the US.That's why we haven't been able to tell our 18 year old daughter's boyfriend that her mommy suffers from epilepsy.

My wife has been seizure free for the last 4 years.But over this past weekend she was staying in a rental house with the family to celebrate her brother's wedding.With the stress from our daughter going off to college in a few weeks, along with my wife being in that wedding, she had another stress-induced seizure Saturday night.She woke up in the middle of the night in that rental house, and ran to what she thought was the bathroom.But she was confused and mistakenly ran into the room where our daughter's boyfriend was sleeping alone.She proceeded to have a seizure attack and fell and broke her ankle.This one was a little different from the other seizures she has had.With this one, she not only urinated herself like all the others, but she also defecated herself this time.All in front of our daughters' just awoken, startled and freaked-out boyfriend. Needless to say, she missed the wedding.

To some, this all might seem funny.But it's not all that funny if you are actually living it.And to the churches, I want to especially thank you all for the added "stigma stress" that she must also endure.Caused by your naked lies.And don't get me wrong, for I am a Christian, and a member of the Methodist church for which I have great respect.But you all have a reckless disregard for all of us who suffer from brain diseases, and you increase our suffering.

This book discusses this stigma.Caused by our churches.I just discussed it a little bit, too.

I believe a unified public apology from all our churches is needed.I hope and pray for this everyday.

Very informative
Out of the blue my completely healthy 12 year old son went unconscious, fell to the floor and started having what I now know is called a tonic-clonic (or grand mal) seizure.After a week of extensive testing and several doctor visits he was diagnosed with Primary Generalized Epilepsy.Like most parents I HAD to know more---how does this happen, what exactly goes on in the brain leading up to a seizure, what do the antiepileptic drugs do to his body, etc.This was the first book I found on the disease and it has really helped me gain a better understanding of what's happening with my son.It does get a little technical, which I liked & with my modest "medical" type background I had no problem following it.(I took several anatomy & physiology classes which probably helped me with that!)I'm now in search of a book that will explain it in terms my SON will understand... ... Read more

Book Description
"Canine Epilepsy" is a comprehensive guide to nervous system function, seizure activity, medical, and alternative treatments. This book covers related healthcare concerns such as thyroid and liver disease. It also teaches owners ways to help their dogs before and after seizures. Perhaps most importantly, however, "Canine Epilepsy" examines seizure triggers, such as diet, vaccines, and chemical use and their very clear links to brain activity.

Topics include: normal canine metabolism, digestion, and brain function. Easy-to-understand explanations of the disease processes. The effects of cortisol, the stress hormone, on seizures. Treatments: medications, diet, acupuncture, and more. Alternatives to flea and tick pesticides. Vaccines, boosters, and titres. Homemade diets vs. commercial diets. Liver, bladder, thyroid, and ophthalmic issues. How to interrupt a seizure. Seizure alerts. Caring for the dog after a seizure. Emotional support for owners. Additional resources and suppliers section. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

disappointed
I was disappointed in the book as a whole. Coming from working at a vet clinic as a certified veterinary technician I was looking for a book to tell owners about who had epileptic dogs. I thought this book was not owner friendly and would only confuse pet owners. Having my own epileptic dog gives me insight to their concerns and fears. I think that overall this book will confuse owners and make them question their veterinarians, when they need to have complete faith that the vet is choosing the right combo for their pets.While the idea was good, I would not recommend this book.

Helpful
This book was very easy to read and understand. If your dog has just been diagnosed with Epilepsy this book is a good source of information to help you better understand the disease and how to deal with it.

Canine Epilepsy
This is a very informative book, the only one on the subject I have been able to find.The initial section on diet seemed over long and complicated but the rest of the book I found very helpful.It is distressing to see your dog have a seizure but I found the content encouraging and felt comforted that the condition can be managed without resort to drugs.Some of the tips I have started to use.

Great Help for dealing with seizures
My older dog began having seizures, other than this problem she is a healthy girl.I ordered this book when she was hospitalized for a cluster.I read the book as soon as it arrived and found it unbelievably helpful.There is life with seizures and this book helped me learn how to deal with and prevent them.Great book.Knowledge is power and I feel like I have a handle on this now.

Canine Epilepsy
In July of 2005, we rescued two dogs that were 9 years old.They were a brother and sister team and couldn't be separated.We fell in love with them immediately.Two weeks afer bringing them home, the male began having the most intense grand mal seizures that I have ever seen.We put him on medication and it slowed the number of seizures but had no effect on the intensity.
I began looking on the internet to see what information I could find and there it was "An Owner's Guide to living with or without seizures".It took me several months to go through the book, as I found it difficult to understand the relationships between all the parts of the body, hormones, etc.However, it got me extremely interested in a natural food diet and alternative therapies.
It took another month or so to do more research and then actually put the natural food diet into place.Now, after 6 weeks of feeding natural foods to both dogs, the male has seizures that sometimes aren't recognizeable.They are mild and the duration is less than a minute.
The purpose of this narration is that if it weren't for Caroline Levin's book and love for animals, our dog would still be suffering with grand mal seizures, not to mention my husband and I and his sibling.Not only that, but their skin is so soft, whereas it was always rather brittle before.
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs help with canine epilepsy and were as frustrated as we were.Thank you so much for the time that it took you to research this disease and offer your knowledge to us.It truly was a "godsend". ... Read more

Product Description
Epilepsy is a difficult illness to control; up to 35% of patients do not respond fully to traditional medical treatments. For this reason, many sufferers choose to rely on or incorporate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into their treatment regimens. Written for physicians, knowledgeable laypersons, and other professionals, Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy bridges the worlds of traditional medicine and CAM to foster a broader perspective of healthcare for patients. The book respects cultural differences that may incorporate alternative medicine into a medical management program, and encourages patients to safely continue receiving necessary medical treatments. Wherever possible, scientific evidence supports the choice of treatment modalities, as well as the effectiveness of a combined traditional and CAM approach. Readers will find incisive discussions in sections on:Learning to Reduce Seizures; Asian, Herbal and Homeopathic Therapies; Nutritional Therapies; Alternative Medical Therapies ; Oxygen Therapies; Manipulation and Osteopathic Therapies; and Music, Art, and Pet Therapies. From stress and epilepsy, to acupuncture, massage, craniosacral therapies, homeopathy, ketogenic diets, aromatherapy, hypnosis, and more, the book is all-inclusive and enlightening. Additional commentary by the editors provides a critical vantage point from which to interpret the data and viewpoints of the contributors, all experts in the therapies presented. This balanced, scientific approach will appeal to even those most skeptical of alternative therapies, making the book essential for every professional who seeks to provide the broadest range of effective patient care. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A must read!!
If you are diagnosed with Epilepsy, this IS the book to read, especially if you do not want to be on medication the rest of your life or if you do not want seizures (and who does?). There is a wealth of information in this book that has not been published before. Especially the work of Donna J. Andrews is worth considering, since she has a 80% successrate with lowering the amount of seizures in her patients. But there are others. Biofeedback is a great tool as well for some. A friend of mine got her seizures way down with this method. She had many a day, now she has none. I am so proud of her because she refused to be on meds from day one. It is invaluable to know you can do something about epilepsy by understanding and working with your triggers. There is a lesson here to be understood. You can improve the quality of your life. And there are many options. Read this book and find out. This book is worth every penny!

Very Enlightening and Long Overdue
I am a physician with a personal interest in epilepsy. To read about complementary and alternative therapies for epilepsy in a medical text that is edited by recognized experts has been a real joy. They have done us all a great service by presenting the information in a respectful but scientifically critical manner.
This book should be on every neurologist's shelf. It should also be on the shelf of all other physician practitioners that treat epilepsy. Drs. Devinsky, Schachter and Pacia have produced a work that is long overdue.
Treating epilepsy can be frustrating since traditional medicine is not always successful in delivering the ideal result (no seizures and no side effects). Patients in desperation are looking for something that will work. Some patients may just want another option because of any one of a number of reasons including fear of potential long-term side effects of medications, or because they harbor a general mistrust of modern medicine for example.
With the advent of the Internet, patients and their families are discovering that there are options available which their physicians have not told them about. Some of the options may have merit and some may not. Most patients do not have the medical sophistication to tell the difference. Many doctors do not have the time or the interest to find out. The problem is that when patients go to their physicians with their new-found knowledge, and they are met with total ignorance, indifference or worse yet, arrogance, the physicians immediately lose credibility with their patients.
By reading and understanding this book that covers a broad range of "alternative and complementary therapies for epilepsy," physicians will be able to better understand what their patients are talking about and will be able to speak with knowledge and credibility when these ideas are brought up by patients. Having this knowledge will also prompt physicians during the intake interviews to ask if any of these alternative approaches are being used. That information may help with drug dosages (some herbs or supplements can affect enzyme induction) and help to explain treatment failure.
Medical practices that serve many well informed patients may see increasing numbers of people asking about these things. That type of patient is expecting more than just a prescription refill and a follow-up in 3-6 months. It could be that some physicians will suggest some of these ideas on their own if they seem right for a particular patient. Spending the extra time and effort may be hard to do because physicians are pushed harder and harder to do more and more in less time, and most practices don't have time during a visit to do more than just the basics. Just the same some people are expecting more.
The chapters are generally concise and mostly well referenced and are organized in a very interesting fashion; an expert that champions a particular form of alternative or complementary therapy writes the chapter, and the editors in a very respectful fashion make comments on the ideas presented. They often point out how well the available scientific evidence may or may not support the assertions of the chapter authors. The editors' comments range from very encouraging to highly doubtful, especially when judged by the standard of the double-blind study.
Chapter contents include: 1) Relation of Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Epilepsy to Western Medicine, 2) The standards for clinical trials to prove effectiveness of a therapy (the Double Blind trial), 3 Treating epilepsy with stress reduction, 4) The neurobehavioral approach, 5) Self control, eliminating triggers etc., 6) Neurofeedback, 7) Autogenic training, 8) Massage, 9) Aromatherapy and Hypnosis, 10) Meditation, 11) Exercise and Yoga, 12) Ayurveda, 13) Herbal therapy, 14) Phytotherapy (more herbal therapy), 15) Homeopathy, 16) Naturopathic Medicine, 17) Traditional Chinese Medicine, 18) Acupuncture, 19) Nutrition, 20) Fatty acids in the diet, 21) The Ketogenic diet, 22) Hormonal therapy, 23) Trancranial magnetic stimulation, 24) Hyperbaric oxygen, 25) Rebreathing to use CO2 to dilate cerebral vessels to increase cerebral oxygen delivery, 26) Chiropractic, 27) Osteopathic Approach, 28) Craniosacral Therapy, 29) Music Therapy, 30) Art Therapy, 31) Pet Therapy
Particularly enlightening chapters are numbers12-22, where herbs, vitamins, food supplements and other nutritional approaches are described rather nicely. Two somewhat disturbing chapters for me are the ones on Naturopathic Medicine (16), and the Osteopathic approach in children (27). The part of the naturopathic medicine chapter that disturbs me the most is the philosophy that epilepsy is possibly a result of lifestyle, diet or habits of the individual and can be cured if the practitioner can find the correct cause and effect a change. Fully subscribing to such an approach could lead to spending big bucks on food supplements and other things that have no proven value or could actually complicate standard medical treatment. In spite of that problem, naturopaths have many fascinating ideas that are worthy of further investigation. The Osteopathic chapter is largely anecdotal. The references are quite dated as well. From modalities that purport to be scientifically oriented I expected better.
The greatest value of the book for me is, understanding how others besides those in mainstream medicine think about epilepsy. I highly recommend this book.

... Read more

Book Description

The award-winning Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood has already become the standard resource for parents in need of comprehensive medical information about their child with epilepsy. Now this highly praised book has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications.

In addition to providing up-to-date information about new diagnostic techniques, as well as drugs, diet, and surgical treatments, the authors have included a new chapter addressing the special needs of children with epilepsy regarding routine health care. And as they did in the book's first edition, the authors encourage children with epilepsy to actively participate in school activities and sports, and stress the importance of helping children with seizures and epilepsy to live as normal a life as possible.

Praise for the first edition, winner of the 1991 Epilepsy Foundation of America's National Book Award

"I have wanted a book like this for a long time. To my knowledge, this is the first book combining complete scientific accuracy with a caregiver's compassion and understanding."--James A. Autry, former chairman of the board, Epilepsy Foundation of America

"Optimistic in tone and broad in scope, this is a book for the parent who has a lot of detailed questions."--National Spokesman

"The book is rich in substance and detail. There is a warm, compassionate tone. At the same time, there are no-nonsense facts and figures."--Humane Medicine

Customer Reviews (12)

If your child has a seizure, you MUST have this book!!!
I can't begin to describe the grief and fear and utter isolation I felt when my daughter had her second seizure.I remembered that knowledge is power, and I needed to feel powerful.This book gave that to me and so much more!Suddenly terms made sense and I wasn't alone anymore.The section on family coping is amazing: it's as though the authors have reached inside your mind and put down every emotion you've gone through and some that are yet to come.There are case examples throughout that are uplifting, and yes, sometimes a little frightening, but very helpful to read and very enlightening. Most importantly, the book is positive throughout without minimizing what you're dealing with.My only complaint(and this goes for all books, websites, etc) is the use of percentages to illustrate how uncommon different seizure types are, or how many kids outgrow, etc.We already know our kids beat the odds, we don't need to be reminded, and frankly those numbers that in the beginning were a comfort, now are depressing.Again, if a child in your family has seizures, YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK!!!

Get this book, very informative, comforting, a must read!
This book contains the answers to most, if not all, of your questions regarding how seizures and epilepsy will affect your child and family. It will also help you know which questions to ask your child's physicians. It is a most complete work. In five sections it describes why seizures occur, diagnosing, treating, coping, and living with epilepsy. Please do yourself a great favor and purchase this book. It is written in language a parent will understand without previous medical knowledge and also it is written with compassion and optimism. I have recommended this book to my family and friends who wish to understand more of how epilepsy is affecting my son's life. You won't be disappointed, buy it today!

Excellent First Book after Diagnosis
Excellent first book after you have received the diagnosis on your child.Good overview. After absorbing this information, you will want to move on to books that deal with the specific type of epilepsy with which your child has been diagnosed.

A great comfort
When my 13 year old son had his first seizure, I completely freaked out.When he had a second seizure, I completely lost it and became full of anxiety, fear, and anger.But after reading this book, I found great comfort knowing that all the emotions I had were "normal".The book is also easy to understand, and covers a lot of information which has helped me to become more informed regarding seizures and epilepsy.

A godsend for parents of a newly diagnosed child
After hours of internet searching and bookstore browsing with not a whole lot of usable results, finding this book was great.It is clearly written, easy to understand, and covers all of the different causes for seizures, as well as medications and some discussion of the physiology of seizures.I am ordering another copy for my daughter's preschool teachers, who want to be as educated as they can be so that they are prepared for potential seizures at school. ... Read more

Book Description
A concise synopsis of all major forms of therapy and treatment associated with epilepsy affecting both children and adults. ... Read more

Book Description

The award-winning Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood is the standard resource for parents in need of comprehensive medical information about their child with epilepsy. Now in its third edition, this highly praised book has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications.

In addition to providing up-to-date information about new diagnostic techniques as well as new drugs, diet, and surgical treatments, the authors have included a chapter addressing routine health care for children with epilepsy and a new chapter on complementary and alternative therapies. Also new to this edition are discussions of the progress made in the evaluation for surgery, a chapter on insurance issues, and a section detailing additional resources.

"No child's life should be defined by seizures. If we understand how the brain works, what happens during seizures, and how to cope with epilepsy, we can overcome the mythology of epilepsy and fight society's prejudices, allowing every child with epilepsy to reach his or her full potential." -- From Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood

Customer Reviews (6)

Quality unbiased information
My son was diagnosed with seizures.Other than talking to his neurologist my only other source of information was the internet.I wanted unbiased factual information to educate myself and this book is the answer.I felt more empowered reading this and I would highly recommend it for other parents or even teachers with students that have seizures and epilepsy.

Good Overview for Anxious Parents
This book is full of straight-forward information about epilepsy and its effects on the brain.It addresses initial medical evaluations and diagnoses, and discusses various treatments--traditional and complementary therapies--in depth.The authors handle these potentially complicated topics with simplicity of language and great compassion.

In fact, the best part of this book is the authors' ability to recognize and allay parental fears by dispelling myths surrounding the illness.A substantial section of the book offers suggestions to help a family (not just the patient) cope with epilepsy--at home, school, in extended family settings, and so on.

This is a well-researched and documented book.I highly recommend it for any parent facing a dignosis of epilepsy for the first time.

A "must have"
I did read a lot of books about epilepsy, but this one is the best!
You get all the informations you need to have a good picture about this illness. It is very well written, very easy to understand and covers all the basics and also the more deeper informations about for example side effects etc..
I can recommend this book as a standard book you should have.

Helpful, specific, & optimistic
I agree with the other reviewers that this book is parent-friendly, clear, and hopeful. My baby had seizures for two weeks after he was born and it took a while for me to understand what had happened and what to do next. I read two other books before finding "Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood," and this one was certainly the best. It is thorough and does a great job of explaining that there are many different kinds of seizure disorders and therefore different types of treatment. It dispels many of the myths out there about seizure disorders and says that many children grow out of it. Neurology has grown leaps and bounds in this field in the past 10-15, and it's important to be up-to-date, since many doctors have differing opinions about how to treat seizures. If you're at all confused (like I was), this book is for you.

Calmed, reassured, and prepared our family
What an excellent resource!My child had his first non-febrile tonic clonic seizure and I didn't know how to cope with the unexpectedness of a recurrent seizure.This book truly informs and reassures in parent-friendly terms. ... Read more

Book Description
Written and edited by world-renowned authorities, this three-volume work is, to quote a reviewer, "the definitive textbook about seizures and epilepsy". This Second Edition is thoroughly updated and gives you a complete print and multimedia package: the three-volume set plus access to an integrated content Website. More than 300 chapters cover the spectrum of biology, physiology, and clinical information, from molecular biology to public health concerns in developing countries. Included are detailed discussions of seizure types and epilepsy syndromes; relationships between physiology and clinical events; psychiatric and medical comorbidity; conditions that could be mistaken for epilepsy; and an increasing range of pharmacologic, surgical, and alternative therapies, including vagus nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation. This edition describes many new antiepileptic drugs, major advances in surgical treatment, and state-of-the-art neuroimaging, EEG, and other technologies for diagnosis and seizure prediction. A companion Website offers instant access to the complete, fully searchable text, plus an image bank of additional figures, video footage, and annual updates to selected chapters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must have for epileptologists, scientists or cliniicians
There are so many aspects of modern epilepsy research and clinical practice that make a summary virtually impossible. Attempts have been made in the past and several excellent books are available. What is remarkable in this new text is the breadth of knowledge that was assembled, the superb and provocative writing of true experts in the field and the electronic version that allows for easy search strategies. The book is divided in three main volumes subdivided in chapters further split in sections. More than a compendium, this is an encyclopedia of current and past knowledge, with practical clinical examples, critical description of diagnostic criteria, summary of basic mechanisms, and illustrations either ad hoc or borrowed from previous work.
The book as a whole reads well, the chapters are clearly organized so that one does not need to read every word to learn the message. One minor point that may be addressed in reruns (especially in online versions) is the lack of color in many figures. For example, the chapter on field potentials provides "historic" depiction of seminal experiments that are hard to understand in a grey scale format. Along the same lines, the book would greatly benefit from more illustrative neuropathology, and the MRI reproductions lack sometimes in quality.
The editors have to be complimented for a major effort that will help those in the field understand what's hot and what's not in current understanding of this multifactorial disease. The novice will be fascinated by the depth of this textbook, and the non-epileptologist will find a unique source of searchable information. Cross references to diseases associated with seizure disorders, including psychiatric co-morbidities, make this a must for everyone looking for up to date knowledge in human neurological diseases associated with abnormal cortical and sub-cortical function.
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Book Description
Second author, S. Schachter, is with Harvard Medical School,Boston, MA. Pocket-sized quick-reference text provides facts on epilepsy.New edition topics include epidemiology and prognosis, classification ofseizures and syndromes, diagnosis, pharmacological management,antiepileptic drugs, and more. Previous edition: c2001. For clinicians.Softcover. ... Read more

Book Description
Thoroughly updated, the Fourth Edition of The Treatment of Epilepsy: Principles and Practice remains the most comprehensive single-volume clinical reference on the epilepsies. In one convenient source, the book provides a broad, detailed, and cohesive overview of seizure disorders and contemporary treatment options, bringing together the most vital work in the neurosciences, genetics, electroencephalography, pediatric and adult neurology, neuropharmacology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. This edition includes a new chapter on the pharmacogenetics of antiepileptic medications, complete information on new drugs, and current guidelines for use of older drugs. Other chapters present fresh new material on epilepsy surgery and neuroimaging. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

if you have need for treatment of Epilepsy:
my major is trditional chinese medicine but i have need some western medicine book for treatment of Epilepsy. this book ggive me a key for what medication and what mechanism for treatment of epilepsy.
if you have need for treatment epilepsy? you must read it! ... Read more

Book Description
This full-color beautifully illustrated tale tells the story of Lee, a young rabbit who has her first seizure during a fishing trip with her grandpa.Once home, her parents take her to the doctor, who examines her and discovers that she has epilepsy.Lee's doctor explains epilepsy in clear, reassuring terms and gives her special medicine.Once Lee's seizures are controlled, she and her family discover that she can do everything she used to do, including her favorite pastime, fishing with her grandpa. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great for Youngsters!
My 4 year old daughter recently had been diagnosed with Absence Seizures. This book was just what we needed.It gives her something to identify with.Lee also has Absence Seizures.Most of the other books I have looked at covered the Grand-mal Seizures.GREAT BOOK to help a young child understand in a simple way of what is happening to them.

Great book for kids dealing with seizures.
This book is very good to read to young children to explain epilepsy.It is put into simple terms and gives a good general explaination. The pictures are detailed, fun and colorful which will help engage the child's interest.This book is good for anyone who wants their child to learn that there should be no 'stigma' attatched to epilespy- it is a disease that can (in most cases) be helped with medicine. It would be excellent for a child recently diagnosed with seizues. It is good for a family which may have a child with epilepsy to help siblings understand what is happening.It is also a book which can be used in the classroom.It is brief yet it gets the message across.This book is part of a series of books about Special Needs and Deborah Moss (author)takes a very careful look at how a child might feel if he or she experienced seizures and that life continues and will be normal.It helps alleviate fears.It also works well because it portrays a rabbit instead of a child with seizures.I highly recommend it to everyone.I have not read the other books in the collection but I imagine they are just as good. ... Read more

Book Description
Teens can lead normal, active lives despite having Epilepsy, and this book shows them how other teens are doing so. Through their stories they offer advice on whether and how to tell friends, dates, teachers, or an employer about the condition. Important teen issues, such as driving, dating, sports, and college are addressed. How the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) applies to people with epilepsy is also reviewed. ... Read more

Product Description
Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from epilepsy; of these, more than one million are women of child-bearing age. With concerns about everything from medication-related birth defects to falls during seizures, many of these women are fearful of having children. The good news is that, with proper prenatal care, more than 90% will deliver healthy babies.

Epilepsy and Pregnancy gives readers the basic facts they need to help them make medical decisions throughout preconception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days after childbirth. Topics include preconception, fertility, pregnancy risks, risks to the fetus, nutrition, keeping fit, what to expect during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery.

In addition, the book includes guidelines for the use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy, recommendations and questions to ask their neurologist, recommended daily allowances by age group, glossary, and much more. Epilepsy and Pregnancy is an essential guide for any woman who suffers from epilepsy and desires to have a child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Reviewed by: Kristine M. Alpi, Weill Cornell Medical Library, New York, NY.
Intended for women with epilepsy who plan to become pregnant, this title combines the patient and clinician perspective on information women should receive from neurologists/epileptologists and obstetricians in a short, image-free text. Stacey Chillemi has epilepsy and is a mother of three and a Helping Other People with Epilepsy (H.O.P.E.) Mentor for the Epilepsy Foundation. Dr. Blanca Vazquez is a New York University neurologist who has published on epilepsy, but not in relation to pregnancy.

Much of the content about pregnancy is not unique. The value is in the focus on issues that affect epileptic mothers. Personal sharing is labeled, however issues raised in these sections--for example, the relationship between heat exposure and seizures--are not always addressed in the regular text. The discussion around antiepileptic drugs (AED), seizure prevention, and birth defects is somewhat confusing. Variations of generic drug names, such as sodium valproate, valproic acid, or just valproate, are used at different places; closer attention to editing would have caught the use of gapapentin instead of gabapentin. Birth defect risk content is supplied in multiple places, but could have been better structured with the drug names and rates to facilitate understanding.

The narrative refers to many studies, but they are not tied to the extensive bibliography. The most recent references are from 2002. Appendix A lists organizations and Appendix B describes the AED Pregnancy Registry. A glossary and index with cross-referencing round out the content. Two sets of guidelines--one for clinicians and one for pregnant women with epilepsy--provide take home messages. Epilepsy and Pregnancy is a helpful introduction to pregnancy for epileptic women, but will need to be read carefully and in consultation with care providers.

Expertly written by Stacey Chillemi
Epilepsy And Pregnancy
Stacey Chillemi & Blanca Vazquez

Expertly written by Stacey Chillemi.It is informative and easily accessible reference for all women who have epilepsy

Great for when your trying and expecting
I was really impressed with this book.There are a lot of questions when you are wanting to have a baby and you have epilepsy and this is the best book I've found.It gives you information in layman's terms which I found fantastic.It doesn't scare you from having a baby and gives you great stories from other people's experiences.I would recommend and pass on this book to anyone I knew that was trying to have a family in my condition.GET IT!!

Excellent Review
"Expertly co-authored by Stacey Chillemi and Blanca Vazquez...Epilepsy and Pregnancy provides a superb presentation for everything epileptic women must know about having children...truly, an invaluable reference for all women wishing for more informatin on the risks of childbirth and care with epilepsy."--Midwest Book Review
"The authors keep the pracitcal and pragmatic in mind as they describe preconception counseling, fertility, risks, the pregnancy process itself, nutrition, labor and delivery, post-delivery, and breast feeding."--SciTech Book News

An invaluable reference for all women wishing for more information on the risks of childbirth and care with epilepsy
Expertly co-authored by Stacey Chillemi (H.O.P.E. Mentor for the Epilepsy Foundation and epileptic mother) and Blanca Vazquez (Director of Clinical Trials and Outpatient Services at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at New York University) Epilepsy And Pregnancy: What Every Woman With Epilepsy Should Know is an informed and easily accessible reference for all women who have epilepsy and are any of one of the stages of their pregnancy. Epilepsy And Pregnancy provides an superb presentation for everything epileptic women must know about having children, including fertility, pregnancy risks to mother and fetus, nutrition and keeping fit, expectations during pregnancy, fetal development, and labor and delivery. An invaluable addition to personal and community library Health & Medicine collect-ions, Epilepsy And Pregnancy is truly an invaluable reference for all women wishing for more information on the risks of childbirth and care with epilepsy.
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Book Description
Gain insight as you read the stories of women living with epilepsy-- told in their own words. Women discuss the impact of epilepsy on their roles as mothers, wives, and individuals, and express their concerns about how epilepsy will affect pregnancy outcome, the health of their babies, and parenting. They share candidly how epilepsy impacts family planning, fertility and sexuality. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

An important tool for everyday living
Parents who must deal with the daily unpredictability of seizures and the side effects of medication often find it confusing to understand what to expect. Growing Up With Epilepsy will appeal to busy parents who want a quick reference guide: information is organized in a manner easy to look up, chapters discuss social and behavioral as well as psychological concerns and issues, and parents receive basic tools to help their kids through all manner of concerns. An important tool for everyday living. ... Read more

Book Description
This enlightening book presents the firsthand personal accounts of children with seizure disorders and their parents. In their own words, these children and parents vividly describe the experiences of handling the crisis of the initial seizure, adjusting to the diagnosis of epilepsy, coping with seizures, managing medications and side effects, and dealing with health care providers, teachers, schoolmates, siblings, and friends. Reveals the terror, uncertainty, and frustration felt by children and parents after an initial seizure or a diagnosis of epilepsy. Documents the ongoing trials, tribulations and triumphs of coping with seizures, medication schedules and side effects, health care providers and hospitals, schoolmates, siblings, relatives and friends. These accounts provide realistic insights into the myriad issues encountered in living with childhood epilepsy. The book also includes a straightforward medical discussion of childhood seizures, written in layperson's terms by Dr. Pellock; a glossary of medical terms; and a guide for schoolteachers and parents written by William Murphy, the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Association of Massachusetts. Appendices provide a directory of Epilepsy Foundation of America affiliates; a list of recommended books, publications, and videotapes; and information about the Epilepsy Foundation of America's Winning Kids program. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An inspiring book!
For parents who are fighting the battle of epilepsy with their children, this book lets you know you are not alone.As a mother of a child who has uncontrolled seizures, it is inspiring to read these stories from children.
It is the closest that I can get to know how my child feels when having a seizure.
These children are so brave, and don't let epilepsy get the best of them.
It is a truly inspiring book! ... Read more