An introduction.

[Sparkatuz]

Hi everyone-
I'm new to this group, so I figure an introduction would be nice.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy after having my first seizure at ripe age of sixteen. Although they're controlled by Valproic Acid (Depakote), I still have break-through seizures every-so-often. It seems as though my epilepsy has been changing ever since I was diagnosed. I am not able to handle alcohol like I once did. It now causes me to have a seizure. I now have panic attacks before seizures, also-which is horrific. I also am lucky to have epileptic "auras" beforehand...

When I say that my epilepsy is changing, I mean to say that I feel as if it is becoming more fragile. When I was a freshman in college I was able to go out and subject myself to the stereotypical over-inebriation of college students. Alcohol had absolutely no affect on me. Now, though, so much as a mouthful of wine can cause me to experience an epileptic aura. I was also able to go 3-4 days on only 500-750mg of Depakote (when I should have taken 1,000mg every day). Now if I miss so much as one dose I feel a little awkwardly out-of-it.

I'll add more later.

 

[skillefer]

Hi Spark! Welcome to CWE. Feel free to ask questions, vent in the padded room, or just chime in. I used to take depakote, and for me, it worked great. But I know what you mean about the seizures changing. Frustrating, isn't it.

 

[RobinN]

Welcome Sparkatuz -
My daughter had her first seizure at the age of 14. When she was on AEDs her seizures changed quite a lot. Now that she is not medicated, we are seeing a healthier child all around. Still fighting seizures occasionally, but the quality of life is so much better. I am also able to see that my first intuition of nutritionally based seizures as being true. A glucose tolerance test proved it. That wasn't even noticed when she was medicated.

I also know now from a recent medical article that I read, that the brain has a second growth period during your twenties. Perhaps yours was strong enough to withstand the toxins thrown at it, and now it no longer can. Just an uneducated guess. You also might consider the burden put on your liver. When your liver pathways are congested you can have seizures too. Worth healing from the inside out.

I use to be able to drink wine without getting a headache, and now I get one every time. I take magnesium which has eliminated my migraines, I just don't choose to chance the alcohol related migraines any more.

 

[Ruth]

Welcome Sparkatuz,

You have come to the right place. I do not drink alcohol beverages of any kind. They affect my seizures, for the worse.

I recommend you do not drink anymore. That is your deciscion, though. Panic attacks are horrible. I hope they subside for you.

 

[Meetz1064]

Hi, hello

and how do you do? It's nice to meet you Sparkatuz! I like the screen name!:bigsmile:

Feel free to ask all the questions you want here. We may not know all the answers, but if we don't we can certainly direct you to the right place.

Don't forget to check out the Padded Room, as well as all the nooks and crannies in this AWESOME house that Mr B built for us here. I'm sure you're going to love it here. So kick your feet up, and hang around.

I'm sure Buckeye or Eric will be around soon with the terrific coffee that those two make (mine is not nearly as good as theirs.....)

Welcome!

Meetz
:rock:

 

[epileric]

Did someone say coffee??

Here's the complimentary cup:cheers:

Welcome to the site. I do know how it feels to have things change re. your seizures. I find as I get older my seizures are more easily triggered. I was never a big drinker but when I was younger it didn't effect me at all, now it seems to bring on a stronger-than-normal seizure.

Try to be aware of what else might be a trigger.

 

[Crazy Monkey]

Hi Spark

Welcome to CWE

My seizures are gradually changing over the course of time. I do consume alcohol, this has the same effect on me as it always has, it triggers my absences the following day, but I have never had the drunk, hungover effect of alcohol which has always been a mystery to me.

I have had panic attacks for the last 7 years, but I have gradually managed to learn to nip them in the bud before they have the chance to erupt.

 

[drarvindr]

Hey spakatuz. Welcome :hello:
I don't mean to be preachy , it's your decision , but it's best if you laid off the booze for a while if it's affecting you so much. E can be a b***h at times . we're here for u

 

[Sparkatuz]

One step ahead of you, drarvindr. I have already ceased any and all consumption of any type of drug. I am not going to risk it anymore-I'm too affraid of what can happen. I do not drink alcohol, coffee (because of its stimulating effects), no longer engage in the occassional "hit" off a smoking device-nothing.

 

[Ruth]

Hi Sparkatuz

Good for you!! You are doing great here.

 

[Bernard]

Hi Sparkatuz, welcome to the forum. :hello:

 

[carlasmoore]

Welcome Sparkatuz!

 

[No Shame]

Welcome friend!

I get a hangover from if i have more than a few, and i plan on doing absolutely nothing the next day and have simple and complex over n over. Probably not the best idea so bravo on kicking the urge!

 

[Ruth]

Hi No Shame

Do not just drop your meds. Ask your neurologist first. I have to stay on my meds or else I will go into status epilepsy.

 

[No Shame]

I don't have a neurologist right now...that's the problem! One week from 2morrow i get a new one--and am counting the days really. Thank you Feast!

 

[Ruth]

Hi No Shame

You are changing neurologists? That sounds like a good idea. I think you will get some help. Keep us posted! Have you checked into the alternative methods, besides medicines. That might work for you. Bernard has it in blue. Just press on the blue and you will be taken to alternative treatments. There is also diet.

 

[RobinN]

Have you considered that the cause of your seizures is getting worse. The seizures are only the symptom. Just as itching is. So if you were to find the cause you might reduce your seizures.

We have found that making nutritional changes has helped a lot

 

[Ruth]

Yes, there are alternatives to medicines.

 

[No Shame]

I knew there was a problem when i stopped sleeping for about 2 years. Cure the insomnia (tried everything), then i would be able to deal with the other aspects of E! I will talk with the MINCEP (Epilepsy Center in MN) next week about alt treatments. Thanks guys!

 

[Rhea]

Yeah, I had to find out last night how much alcohol affects me. I don't drink much than a few beers anymore, but last night I went stupid. Never again!!!!! I can't even handle one frink. But, no loss giving it up, it's too much like work for me to drink.