Question
The patient experiences symptoms such as the mouth curling to the right, eyes flicking upwards, and the right arm becoming stiff every night when falling asleep or just waking up. These symptoms last for about 10 seconds to 1 minute. These symptoms have persisted for about a month, and there has been no significant reduction in symptoms after taking antiepileptic drugs. Auxiliary examinations include brain CT and electroencephalogram (EEG). Why have the symptoms not been relieved under medication treatment?
Answer
Epilepsy treatment typically involves controlling seizures, treating the underlying cause, and surgical interventions. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal discharge of neurons in the brain, and patients should have a certain treatment duration during the medication process. Generally, epilepsy patients may start to feel the effects of medication within about five days after starting treatment. If there is no significant effect, immediate consideration should be given to changing medications. Epilepsy is a chronic disease that may last for several years or even decades, so medication should not be discontinued arbitrarily. It is recommended that patients follow the guidance of professional doctors for treatment and continue to take medication.