Almost everyone has a primary care doctor that they see when they’re feeling sick. Or maybe you only go in once a year for your check-up. But what about people with epilepsy? Who do they consult when they’re epilepsy medication isn’t working for them?

It’s essential to see your primary care doctor for overall wellness checks, but many symptoms of epilepsy can be confused with other illnesses. Plus, those who have an epilepsy diagnosis require regular check-ins with a specialist.

What kind of specialists are there?

A neurologist is someone specializing in neurological disorders, while an epileptologist is a neurologist that’s even more specialized, caring specifically for people with epilepsy.

Ideally, anyone with recurring seizures should be treated by a neurologist. Those with well-controlled seizures can be followed by a general practitioner and see their neurologists infrequently. Those whose seizures are uncontrolled with the first 2 or 3 medications should seek care from an epileptologist.

Either way, those with epilepsy should be seeing a specialist as well as their general practitioner.

Why does specialized care matter?

Imagine that you’ve just had a seizure with no explanation as to why. Then it happens again. And again. This is where many people with epilepsy find themselves.

While a general practitioner might suspect that there is something wrong, a neurologist or epileptologist can answer important questions for you like what type of seizures you’re experiencing or why you are having seizures.

How do we help?

We partner with the top epileptologists in Central and South Texas for all of our Outreach Epilepsy Clinics. We provide our patients with essential specialized care at no cost to them. For many, this care would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Our patients come from all different circumstances, but most are newly diagnosed and have never seen a neurologist before. They have a great need, and it’s our mission to meet that need. We need your help, though. On September 10, the Epilepsy Foundation Central & South Texas is participating in The Big Give SA, San Antonio’s biggest online giving day. This year, help provide essential, specialized care to our patients by donating.

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