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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Ascertain That One Is Free From Epilepsy?

I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was an adolescent. I stopped having petit mal seizures in my 40's (which I have been told is unusual) I am now 61 and have not had a seizure since then. Am I cured of epilepsy now, or am I still considered to have epilepsy?
Mon, 16 Mar 2015
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Neurologist,  's  Response
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

The answer is a matter of definitions which have been consented by the experts. Technically epilepsy can't be called cured. There is no certainty that you won't have any more seizures in your lifetime, you are a person with a lower seizure threshold than normal (you should try to avoid common seizure triggers like alcohol, stimulants, lack of sleep etc).
While the term cured epilepsy has not been accepted, you qualify for what is called "resolved epilepsy" which is defined as not having seizures for at least 10 years with at least 5 of those years without epilepsy treatment (I am assuming you aren't under treatment now). That is as close to what you call cure as you could get.

I hope you'll stay seizure free forever.
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How To Ascertain That One Is Free From Epilepsy?

I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. The answer is a matter of definitions which have been consented by the experts. Technically epilepsy can t be called cured. There is no certainty that you won t have any more seizures in your lifetime, you are a person with a lower seizure threshold than normal (you should try to avoid common seizure triggers like alcohol, stimulants, lack of sleep etc). While the term cured epilepsy has not been accepted, you qualify for what is called resolved epilepsy which is defined as not having seizures for at least 10 years with at least 5 of those years without epilepsy treatment (I am assuming you aren t under treatment now). That is as close to what you call cure as you could get. I hope you ll stay seizure free forever.