Letter: It's no myth: people do die from epilepsy

Sir: I was interested to read, on the Health Page, Lotte Hughes describing the nightmare that began when she was struck by epilepsy ('An unexpected fit: my nightmare begins', 21 June).

My son Matthew's epilepsy came on equally unexpectedly. He had about three seizures a year. Three years after the diagnosis he died suddenly, and without any apparent reason. He was 21. We have had letters from more than 150 families that have suffered similar losses.

It is a myth that people do not die from fits. Until it is nationally recognised that they do, little research will continue to be done into discovering how to treat people with epilepsy properly.

Yours faithfully,

CATHERINE BROOKES

Bournemouth, Dorset

22 June