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*
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Stiffness/spasticity
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Numbness and tingling with pins and needles
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Todd's paralysis
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
*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*
Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3,481
Tried for
epilepsy
(11)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3,092
Tried for
epilepsy
(9)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,602
Tried for
epilepsy
(4)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1,923
Tried for
epilepsy
(4)
*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
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (8 evaluations)
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
epilepsy
(11)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (2 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
epilepsy
(9)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (7 evaluations)
Side effects
balance problems
stiffness/spasticity
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
epilepsy
(4)
Perceived effectiveness
for epilepsy (2 evaluations)
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
epilepsy
(4)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
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 | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 243 | |
| 20s | 680 | |
| 30s | 2,085 | |
| 40s | 2,715 | |
| 50s | 2,600 | |
| 60s | 1,834 | |
| 70+ | 714 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 3,400 | |
| Female | 7,472 |