Drug-resistant epilepsy highlighted in Suffolk
The Epilepsy Society is aiming to raise awareness on the condition this month.
The charity and LivaNova have joined forces to highlight the condition and help patients share their experiences of living with uncontrolled seizures.
According to LivaNova, one in three epilepsy sufferers are drug-resistant and unable to achieve so-called 'seizure freedom'.
One of those people is 28-year-old Hannah, from Bury St Edmunds, who has lived with epilepsy from the age of four.
Since then she has tried numerous forms of medication but they have all proved unsuccessful.
Hannah, who dreamed of being a paramedic, feels anxious about going out by herself because of the risk of a seizure.
She said: "I feel like I’m losing my independence more as my seizures continue to occur. Unable to live by myself, needing someone to listen out when I’m in the shower and not being able to go out at anytime.
"Every time I have a seizure I break down in tears as it pushes me back to apply for a provisional driving licence. I have had so much thrown at me, so many scars and so much I cannot do. But I have to keep on going and move on with my life the best I can."
Uncontrolled seizures can increase the risk of status epilepticus, which is a seizure lasting five minutes or more, and Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
Status epilepticus is fatal in approximately 30% of cases.
Epilepsy Society says it's important to diagnose the drug-resistant form of the condition as quickly as possible, so alternative treatments can be explored.