How can your Epilepsy Nurse support you?

Epilepsy Specialist Nurses can be a great source of advice and help. They will be very experienced nurses who have undergone special training in epilepsy - so will know what they're talking about! Unfortunately not everyone has access to one - if you haven't been referred to one, it's asking to see if you have one in your area.  COVID19 has meant they might not be as available as normal, but hopefully they'll be up to full speed again soon.

What they offer does vary but they can usually help by giving the following:

• Advice on medication - perhaps you are worried because you missed a dose or are getting worrying side effects
• Making the most of appointments coming up - perhaps you have a meeting with your consultant and want to know what to ask and how to prepare
• Advice in-between consultations - sometimes you'll have to wait a long time before your next meeting, but have questions you want to ask about your epilepsy or treatments that are worrying you
• Changes in seizure activity - you may have more frequent seizures all of a sudden or different types of seizure - and want to find out what might be causing it
• Queries about COVID19 - it can be a worrying time and your ESN may be able to advise you on keeping safe
• Social issues - eg problems with friendship groups, relationship worries
• School/college - maybe you're struggling at school, or you teachers don't understand your condition
• Help with becoming more independent as you get older
• Queries about what happens when you move into adult services - what will change?

Sometimes nurses will get groups of young people together so they can meet each other and share experiences.  It is worth asking your nurse if they do this - it can really help.