If you would like to talk to someone about epilepsy, our trained advisers are here to help. We offer confidential and personal advice and you can tell us as much or as little as you want. No question is a silly question.
Contact our advisers
Epilepsy Action Helpline call 0808 800 5050 - it’s free to call from all UK landlines and mobiles. We are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. (International calls are not free.)
Helpline advice in 150 languages - the Epilepsy Action Helpline offers advice and information in 150 languages.
Email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk - email your question about epilepsy. We aim to reply within 48 hours (on work days).
UK text messages: 0753 741 0044 - we aim to reply to your texts within 24 hours (on work days).
Tweet @epilepsyadvice with your question and we will tweet back (on work days).
Leaflets, booklets and learning resources
Epilepsy Action shop - we have a wide range of books, booklets and factsheets about epilepsy. Please take a look at what we have available.
Epilepsy and you – our online course gives you the skills and confidence to manage your epilepsy.
Epilepsy Action Learning - has a range of online courses and learning resources to help you understand more about epilepsy. You can work at your own pace and at a time that suits you.
- For people with epilepsy - learn how to manage your condition and improve your wellbeing
- Epilepsy first aid - what to do when someone has a seizure
- For school staff - learn how to support pupils with epilepsy and meet statutory guidance
- For care and support staff - learn how to care for and support people with epilepsy, including risk management and care planning
Epilepsy Awareness training - we deliver training to UK-based groups who want to learn more about epilepsy. These include private employers, healthcare and service providers, colleges and schools.
Contact others living with epilepsy
Coffee and chat groups - these give people living with epilepsy the chance to meet each other in ordinary venues like cafes, tea rooms and coffee shops. They offer a relaxed way to meet new people, share experiences and get information on how to learn more about epilepsy.
Local branches – run by volunteers, most local branches hold regular meetings offering a mixture of social events, informative talks and discussions.
forum4e is a free online community for people with epilepsy and carers of people with epilepsy
Epilepsy Action has a very active Facebook page
Comments: read the 8 comments or add yours
Comments
Hi my name's leanne
I have only just found this website tonight don't know why but I needed too funny how fate can bring you to what you need to cope with a condition such as epilepsy
I've had it ever since I can remember and even though my mum and dad are not my biological parents they knew but because they had waited so long for me the doctors called my mum a erotic mother trying to find fault in a child when there wasn't one but I'm sure you agree a mother knows very she gave birth to you or not she knows I think if I remember rightly I was nine or 10 months old when the sign started like the little convulsions that we're not classed as epilepsy until you were between four to 4 1/2 years old pence preschool illness my mum always drummed into me is not an illness is a bloody nuisance to you can imagine as a child going round telling everybody I've got epilepsy is not an illness is a bloody nuisance like you to do that when I started mainstream school I was victimised over it what it took my mum to teach me that I wasn't any different you only took the school one day to destroy all of that and she worked hard she was the best mum in the best dad I can't forget dad I have ever have we have to stand together and make it clear to the politicians that it should be part of the school curriculum like asthma and like diabetes and any other conditions that can affect a child's day-to-day life at school so they don't feel isolated they don't feel I am the only one who can I turn to when we can make a change change coming I hope my seizures used to be quite horrible it was so scary as I only had my wright eye the other eye all I could see was psychedelic colours end I could see people in little bubbles two or three or four nil circles bouncing around after I would lose sight in it when I was younger but as I got older I used to just get the headaches I wouldn't lose my eyesight which was a little easier to take but the last 14 possibly 15 years I have been clear because of the medication on 750 mg of the stuff oxer oxcarbamazepine is the name I hope some of you who is left messages on this site have been as lucky as I have medication wise
Hi there support. Can you tell me how I can print off my certificate for completing the epilepsy course. My Boss wants a copy to justify the funding. Great and informative course by the way. Many thanks, Andrew.
I wondered if someone could help. I have had epilepsy since I have been 18months old and I'm not 28. I have been on topamax for nearly 8 years I am taking 500mg am and pm. I have recently had a very long seizure that ended me in hospital. I have never been so scared in all my life. I don't know if anyone else feels the same I just feel every day like I'm not a normal person and hate the unexpected has anyone got any advice would love to hear from you All x
Hi. It must be really scary to have a long seizure that you need to go to hospital for. I’m not surprised it has knocked your confidence.
You are really welcome to talk to us on the Epilepsy Helpline freephone number, 0808 800 5050. And you might want to join our online community forum4e.
I wonder if the doctors have suggested any possible reason why this seizure might have happened? They may want to consider you taking an extra epilepsy medicine.
Many people find that even a breakthrough seizure can make you feel less confident for a good while. Hopefully as time passes, things will start to feel a little easier.
But talking to other people who know something of what you’re going through, is a really good idea.
Regards
Cherry
Epilepsy Action Helpline Team
my mother has epilepsy and recieves dla benefits can she claim motability as i have my passed my driving and my mother needs to get every with transport as she cant walk for to long.
Hi Farzana
Here is all the information about the Motability scheme. I have linked you to the page that says if you can join. It will depend on exactly which benefits your mother is getting.
You might also want to check if she can get a Blue Badge.
Regards
Cherry
Epilepsy Action Helpline Team
Hi my name is Roseanna I am 46. My struggle is that I cannot get over tired or stress out !!! Plus will i be ever seizure free. I have no other contact with support for Epilepsy. When I was 21 my life was turn upside down. I was at my keep fit class half way thorough it I took a very bad seizure. I had to get stitches etc. From their on my seizures range from bad ones to small ones. Between been in hospital plus had broke my front teeth a few times. But my biggest thing to accept at that time was the driving !!! But as years went on I gradually accept it better. I was very depressed at certain stages. It took along time until they got the right tablets etc. I now am takingTopmax Lamictal and Tegtretol. Another thing that annoys me is that my mood varies plus my memory is not great. Also feel people out their don't want to know me with my condition particularly when your a female. But on the other hand I don't let it beat me just keep going. Disgraced have been refuse a bus pass twice!! The public especially employers should be more aware of epilepsy and what to do! I would like to say it's not an illness it's a condition don't let it beat us.🤗🤗
Hi Roseanna.
It does sound like you’ve had quite a difficult journey. We quite agree that epilepsy needs to be understood as a condition rather than an illness. Epilepsy Action works hard to raise awareness in a whole variety of ways, but there is certainly still a way to go. Maybe you’d like to think about getting involved as a volunteer?
I do hope from our helpline page you have been able to find a way of connecting with other people with epilepsy. Many people find this really useful. If there isn’t a coffee and chat group in your area, then maybe our online community forum4e would work for you. Or our online self-management course Epilepsy and You might be worth taking a look at.
Also we have information on stress, low mood and wellbeing that might also be helpful.
Lamictal and Tegretol are a bit of an unusual combination but hopefully they are working for you. If you are still having seizures then you might want to talk about other options of epilepsy medicines although it sounds like you may have been through quite a few already or for some people surgery or vagus nerve stimulation might be possible.
If you’ve had seizures in the last 12 months then you would be refused a driving licence. Because of this you would be entitled to a free bus pass.
I do hope this information will be useful for you. But If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again, either by email or the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.
Regards
Cherry
Epilepsy Action Helpline Team