If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy, you may experience difficulty in finding travel insurance to cover your epilepsy. You will need specialist travel insurance for your epilepsy, otherwise if you need medical assistance abroad, and are will not be covered under your policy, which could lead to added expense. Our Travel Insurance Travel are specialists in providing epilepsy travel insurance, you can get an epilepsy travel insurance quote here.
 
If you have epilepsy, you may need to do a little extra planning before going on holiday, but this is worth doing so that you can travel with complete peace of mind.

Planning

Make sure that you plan your trip well in advance, so that you can do everything you want to, and avoid any potential triggers.

Epilepsy travel insurance

If you require medical treatment for your epilepsy while you are away, it can work our very expensive – specialist epilepsy travel insurance will cover you should any issues arise. Make sure you declare your epilepsy as a pre-existing medical condition when looking for travel insurance.

Sleep

Try to maintain your regular sleep patterns as sleep disruption can prompt epilepsy seizures for some people. 

Don’t travel alone

If you have frequent seizures or experience loss of consciousness, confusion, or changes in behaviour during or after a seizure, you should probably travel with a companion. Your companion should know what to do in case of a seizure and should be able to explain to others around you what is happening, especially if you are flying.

Choose your mode of transportation wisely

You should consider your type and frequency of seizures when making travel arrangements. 

Flying

Some people with epilepsy have concerns about flying but people with epilepsy travel the world regularly. It might be helpful to carry a doctor’s letter, giving the flight crew a few guidelines in case of a seizure during the trip. Leave yourself plenty of time for all your travelling to minimize stress during the journey. Some airlines also have additional guidelines concerning people with epilepsy. An example might be for you to sit in an aisle seat in case of a seizure. Further details may be available from your travel agent, or directly from the specific airline. Also, some people’s seizures are triggered by being very tired through ‘jetlag’. Seizures can also be triggered by excitement or anxiety, which can affect some people when they are flying.

Keep up with medications

Discuss your epilepsy medication routine with your GP before you depart to plan out a medication schedule and to decide how much to pack. Carry at least a day’s supply with you at all times. Ensure you have additional supplies of your epilepsy medication in case any is lost (for example you could keep some in your hand luggage and some in your case). Store and carry medications in properly labelled bottles to avoid any unnecessary issues with airport security. You should pay attention to time zone changes, and carefully plan so that you don’t miss any doses. Be sure to bring not only your daily epilepsy medication, but also any that your doctor has prescribed to be used in the event of “breakthrough” seizures. Bring extra days of medication as travel delays can happen and you should be prepared just in case.

Take precautions if you have a VNS

A vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device is a small battery or generator that is implanted in the chest wall and sends pulses of electrical energy to the brain to prevent seizures. As airport security has recently become stricter, it is likely that they will question this piece of equipment. To avoid any unnecessary delays, carry your VNS registration card with you and have your GP include an explanation of the device in their letter.

Wear a medical alert bracelet

If you have epilepsy, you should be wearing a medical ID bracelet at all times especially  travelling. Medical personnel should immediately be alerted to your condition so they can treat you as quickly and effectively as possible in case of an emergency. When you are away from your doctor, family, and friends who understand your condition, a medical ID is essential. Also, you should write out a list of your epilepsy medication. In addition to the names of your medicines, ensuring you include the dosages and frequency. You should put this list in an obvious place for emergency workers to find.

Do your best to maintain your routine as you do at home

Changing your sleep/wake cycle or taking your epilepsy medication at a different time can increase your risk of having a seizure, even if you’ve been seizure-free for any extended period of time. Try to maintain your regular sleep patterns as sleep disruption can prompt epilepsy seizures in certain cases. If you have no choice but to change your routine while on holiday (maybe you work night shift, for example) consider a visit to your doctor before you leave to ask about ways to cope with the effect on your body and lessen the chances of a seizure. When you are out and about, take extra medication in your day bag – this may also allow you to be more flexible with your plans whilst you are out. If you need to rest, then you should rest. Surely both you and your travel party would rather spend a few hours back at the room taking a nap, than spending several hours at hospital.

Drink plenty of fluids

The effects of dehydration can trigger a seizure.

Use the same precautions that you would at home

If you don’t swim alone at home, then don’t do it on holiday. If you don’t drink alcohol at home, don’t do it on holiday. In general, be on the lookout for potential hazards (moving vehicles, sharp corners, unprotected drop-offs) and take precautions just as you would at home.