What to Expect at the Adult Epilepsy Diet Center

The Adult Epilepsy Diet Center is for adults with epilepsy and who are referred by their local neurologist for our help starting a dietary program.

If you are from outside the Baltimore/Washington area, you will need to have your local neurologist handle seizure medications and be your primary neurologist. All medical records will need to be sent in advance for our review to make sure the modified Atkins diet is appropriate for you.

We will also request lab work in advance as well to check your kidney function and cholesterol. If the diet is appropriate, we will then check your insurance and schedule you for a one-hour clinic visit. We will ask you to keep a 3-day record of all of the foods you eat before coming to see us in clinic.

We do see international patients, although all requests must be handled through the Johns Hopkins International Office before they can be scheduled.

At the first visit, which is usually held on a Friday morning, you will be invited to a teaching session on how to follow the diet given by our epilepsy doctor and dietician along with others starting, too. We will supply you with helpful references and recipes for starting the diet.

Once on the diet, you and your neurologist will be asked not to change your seizure medications immediately so that the effects of the diet on your seizures can be determined. We will ask you to check and keep track of your urine ketones, your weight, and to keep a seizure calendar.

 After starting the diet, if you wish, you can return for 30-minute follow-up visits with our Center. Center clinic visits are held approximately every two months in Baltimore.

Request an Appointment

For more information about what to expect at the Adult Epilepsy Diet Center or to consult with a doctor, request an appointment at the Epilepsy Center.