Is long-term seizure freedom possible without lifelong medication?

Hello everyone!

I'm considering applying to be evaluated at Mayo Clinic and wanted to ask if anyone has had a similar experience.

I had my first tonic-clonic seizure on July 1, 2025, at age 19 (I turned 21 today!). Since then, I've had 17 tonic-clonic seizures, and 16 of them occurred during sleep.

Between the tonic-clonic seizures, I have frequent focal seizures, usually more than three per hour, lasting about 30–60 seconds. During these episodes I remain fully aware of my surroundings and can continue walking, but my language is severely affected. I hear people speaking and know they are talking to me, but I can't process the meaning of the words. I also can't speak, read, or write normally until the episode ends. Occasionally I also experience déjà vu, sudden fear, unpleasant smells, or ringing in one ear.

I think my medical process was normal. Started on a low dose of Keppra, and after each breakthrough seizure my dose was increased. I'm now taking the maximum dose, but I'm still having seizures. My neurologist will likely recommend adding another medication.

Before epilepsy I was very active, athletic, and focused on my health. This diagnosis has completely changed my life, and one of my biggest fears is needing more medications without achieving seizure control.

My question is:

Has anyone with drug-resistant focal epilepsy been able to become seizure-free without needing lifelong anti-seizure medication, either through epilepsy surgery, laser ablation, VNS, RNS, DBS, or another treatment? If so, what was your experience and what ultimately led to seizure freedom?

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any experience or advice would mean a lot to me.