If the patient has become a DREP, the next therapy alternative available is a ketogenic diet, which has a higher success rate that any of the latest AEMs available. In general, this diet reduces the frequency and severity of seizures by 50% or more. The method may make use of specialized dairy products, or by modifying the household meal menu (Modified Atkins Diet). If the ketogenic diet fails, the patient may consult a neurosurgeon for the possibility of epileptic correction surgery.
In the new paradigm of child epilepsy treatment, the patient is encouraged to complete their routine immunization regime and get a complete Covid-19 vaccination suite. However, there are specific conditions that prohibit a epilepsy patient from receiving Covid-19 immunization: the frequency of seizure recurrence is high, the epilepsy is caused by the onset of an autoimmune disease, and the patient frequently loses consciousness when the seizure occurs. Other than that, they must have their routine and Covid-19 vaccinations like everyone else.
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Epilepsy patients must have an active health insurance policy, as treating this disease requires a large amount of money. They should at least have an active BPJS account in their local health facility, in order for them to get comprehensive treatment and make use of the referral facility to Educational Hospitals. “The AEM available in hospitals only covers the needs for first-and second-line AEMs, while DREP patients who frequently suffer from emergency recurrences should have referrals to the nearest Educational Hospital facility to their residence, perhaps in a nearby city,” Prof. Irawan said. “Furthermore, epilepsy patients should be monitored during the course of their treatment, in order to be able to measure the frequency of their seizures and their obedience in taking the AEM administered to them. This will help us help them improve the quality of their lives.” (est)