Tracking seizures and other information can be done in a variety of ways. The diary should be easy enough so you can use it on a regular basis and so you can share with your doctors, nurses, and other caregivers if needed. Since many people don’t know what happens during their seizures, seizures diaries should be available for others to write down what they see as well.

Examples of seizure diaries

Some people like to write in a journal, while others like forms that can be easily copied. Computers and other technology may let you record seizures on your computer or personal digital assistant. Seizures can be tracked on a calendar to allow easy viewing of when they occur or in a log or written text that allows you to keep track of more data about individual events. The key is to find one that works for you! Here are 2 types to try.

• My Epilepsy Diary: Use the epilepsy.com My Epilepsy Diary to track your seizures, medicine, side effects or triggers. People can track events over time or print out reports to share with their doctors, nurses or other people. The diary can also be used on an iPhone or iTouch so it's with you wherever you go! Visit this link to start using the diary-http://my.epilepsy.com/seizurediary!
• My Seizure Event Diary: This type of calendar allows people to record details of what happens during a seizure. This can be helpful for people with more than one type of seizure or when more information is needed to diagnose the type of seizure. When more than one person may be observing and recording seizures, the event diary can be easier to use.
• My Monthly Seizure Calendar: This type of calendar is good to record how often seizures occur. They can be used to track seizures in relation to time of menstrual cycle (for women) or other triggers that may affect seizures. If a person has more than one type of seizure, they can label seizures by letter to make recording easier.

Special Instructions

• Seizure diaries can be used for different purposes. Sit down with the doctor and nurse to find out what information would be most helpful for them, as well as what would help you the most.
• To track seizures during medicine changes, make sure you write down when medicine changes are made.
• To see if ‘as needed’ medicines or treatments are helpful, write down when they are used and if they worked as expected.
• To see if triggers or patterns are present, decide what factors you are interested in and write down when they occur.
• To monitor side effects of medicines or changes in mood, write down if these are present and when they occur.

• Instructions for Using Seizure Calendars

Continue to Staying in Touch with Your Health Care Team

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Revised: Robert Fisher, MD and Patricia O. Shafer RN, MN

April 2010