The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7186 p251
23 February 2002

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Epilepsy

Pharmacists, who are also patients, describe in their own words what it is like to have to take a medicine for life

Living with epilepsy: more empathic with patients

I have been a pharmacist for four years and thought that I gave good advice and understanding to my patients. I always, no matter how busy, would ask if patients had taken the medicine before. If they had not I would explain what it was for, potential common side effects and how many times a day to take it.

About three months ago, I was diagnosed with partial epilepsy. This really was a life- and work-changing experience. For the first time, and like so many of my patients, I had been told that I had a potential life-long condition which would require life-long therapy. My initial feelings were of shock, disbelief, and denial.

I went with my prescription to the local pharmacy in the village and waited for my prescription for sodium valproate to be dispensed. On receiving my medicines, I felt as though people were continually looking at me, thinking "poor soul, he is epileptic" and "he is strange". This was nothing to do with the service or staff in the pharmacy; it was to do with my own paranoia.

The dosage instructions were that the medicines had to be taken three times a day, so my pharmacist brain started working out the exact times to get an even eight hours between doses. I checked the data sheet, looking at the drug profile and half-life.

I could remember to take the tablets in the morning and evening but I really struggled to take a tablet in the middle of the day. (I had worked out that a 3pm dose would give me eight hours between the other two doses.) Not only did I regularly forget to take the tablets, I also went without them due to going out after work and not having any tablets with me. I now have strips of tablets at work, in my briefcase and at home.

With regards to how I deal with my patients now, I am a lot more empathic and ask how they are feeling if they have just been told that they have a chronic condition. I give more advice on dosage regimens, especially if they are more than twice a day, to ensure accurate dosing. I suggest keeping supplies of tablets in various locations to prevent problems of running out. I discuss different ways to help patients remember to take their tablets, whether this is via an alarm, a text message or a written note. It is completely up to the individual and finding what fits into their lifestyle.