wassup! weed and epilepsy?

[Chris123]

Hi- Chris here feeling stressed out.

Starting about 9 years ago I had many, many staring spells, then one day I had a grand mal siezure. This would put at about 15 or 16 years old. Saw a doctor, got put on tegretol which made me mean, real mean. Switched to depakote, took it for 3 years then the doc said your good to go, no more meds. The whole time I was on meds they kept saying dont drink. So what did I do? smoked weed...der... after I got off the meds I experimented with all typed of drugs, never had a spell, no seizures, nothing. Now im 25, still dont drink much, but I smoke a little bud now and then. 2 weeks ago after 2 nights of 4 hours of sleep, a biscut for breakfast, a huge amount of stress and a joint later I had another grand mal seizure. Now the doc says I have epilepsy and Ill probably need to take meds forever..sigh.... Ive smoked pot for like 10 years, I know thats bad... but it helps me with stress. I havent smoked since the siezure.. im on dilantin now.. anyone know if I can? should? or shouldnt smoke? my doc changes the subject everytime I ask..hes a whacko

[Bernard]

Hi Chris123, welcome to the forum.

It's pretty inconclusive as to whether marijuana helps with short term seizure control or causes longer term problems with the seizure threshold.

Marijuana

[brain]

Chris!

Glad to have you here at CWE! MJ has
always been a controversial issue for
many years - and like anti-epileptic drugs, it works for
some and doesn't work for others. There's
been overseas (Foreign Countries) studies
on these cases where findings have shown
that it was effective on certain types of
Epilepsies, so if you have a translator
program that can convert it to British
English (not American English), you
may find this to be of interest.

MJ has always been a hot topic in all
areas of the Medical field - not just in
Epilepsy alone - Cancer, Rare Diseases
and Disorders, and so much more. And
some Countries will allow it providing
via Doctor's prescription and it's heavily
regulated and heavily monitored (where
its almost as if the patient must sign
their name in blood)! MJ is illegal in
tons of places, but yet people use it,
because it works.

Unfortunately, I can't use MJ at all, I'm
allergic to it, and it will even cause
problems for me for those who smokes
it or had smoked it. It's illegal here.

[RobinN]

Hi Chris - I'm not interested in drugs legal or not. I would much rather search for the healthiest road, and feel super on the days that are seizure free. I do believe that diet can reduce the trigger threshold. I am not against all prescribed meds, but I think one knows early on whether or not it will be a fit or not.

Welcome

[xenome]

Welcome Chris. Ive had a similar experience to you. I had staring spells when I was younger, and in high school I smoked alot of marijuana. For me it never helped with my seizures and I stopped smoking when I got out of high school. 7 years later I started getting grand mals.

Bernard is right though, studies are inconclusive.

Personally, I think marijuana doesnt do squat, and that people just think it does and that its some miracle cure for anything and everything.

As far as if you can take it if you want, I bet you can. I dont think it would stop your epilepsy or make it worse. But who knows, I wouldnt take it if I were you just in case. Noone can really tell you how it would affect you. Everyone is different. I also bet your doctor avoids your questions because its illegal in most places so I doubt he would tell you if you can do it or not. Doesnt want to get sued.

These are just my own opinions though.

[Zara]

Epileptics and their foundations do not deserve to know what I know about epilepsy. I can say this confidently after being told by masses that I taught them more about epilepsy in a few months than they had learned their entire lives. You have all chosen your fate for yourself. That is balance and yes I can smile while watching those who wish to suffer suffer.

[Birdbomb]

Andrew, have you come back to Bernard's house party as a guest or a pest?

Guests are more than welcome.

[Chris123]

Epileptics and their foundations do not deserve to know what I know about epilepsy.

What makes you so special? Why would you not want to help others? I dont understand how you can say that, it just sounds arrogant.

[Chris123]

Personally, I think marijuana doesnt do squat.

Man, unfortunatly after all the research Ive done on the topic I think your right. Ill probably just stop completely because honestly I am feeling better these days without it.

[Zara]

After having very piece of technology you've ever invented stolen from you so you can be blacklisted and get to yell at people like the president when you're angry about these issues and being literally one of the foremost experts on Epilepsy and it's Medications and genetic relationships in the world is a good start. That and frankly I've been treated badly by those who say they wish the help. As everyone else has said find me on myspace..... or like the song says maybe i should b arrogant, "I'm so much cooler on-line..."

How is Aunt Rita from the Ep foundation...


Cannibidinol is the only thing on this planet other than Lamictal which i am allergic to that stops my Astatic seizures, a mild to violent shaking of your arms torso neck and face region, which I have been afflicted with my whole life and finally diagnosed myself with a few yrs. back.


l8,

Zap

I'll be making hell in the house senate and on the hill otherwise if any of you ever get your heads out of your arse long enough to help out i'll be the one who is sitting there ready to make something happen. Since I've lost over a mil this yr. on this topic between just my close friends I think i have every right to be very arrogant toward anyone who says they would help out someone who is dying of epilepsy and is one of the largest Marijuana advocates in the country to help them out. Prove it!

[Chris123]

Maybe you should rethink your approach to people. I have never known anything to be done for me if I was rude about. Spending loads of cash doesnt make you better than anyone else, which brings me to the conclusion that the reason you were treated poorly by people in the foundations is because you were never taught the golden rule.

So I still dont understand why you wouldnt want to help people that havent been rude to you. The world we live in is about helping one another to make life smoother and better for everyone. If we were all selfish nothing would ever get done....

[Bernard]

... I've been treated badly by those who say they wish the help. ...

We try very hard to foster a dinner party atmosphere here where everyone is cordial, polite and having a fun time. No one here has been treated badly (although we have had to intervene when guests have behaved inappropriately).

I understand that you are frustrated by the legal status of medical marijauna. That doesn't mean you can lash out at members here. Here, as in life, the Golden rule applies - treat others as you would have them treat you.

[Zara]

So did someone get ahold of that Vachon? Or is it still trying to Dominate like a Dominic. I was cordial I asked if medtation was allowed here in the U.S. like other places.

myspace.com/andrewstrasser

[Zara]

(Harlan, IN - WANE) The Allen County Police Department has arrested Matthew McChesney, of 22633 Antwerp Road, after finding 3 tons of marijuana in his Harlan home.


http://www.wane.com/global/story.asp?s=7975364

I know when I met Rev. Harlan I cussed him worse than anyone I have ever met on this planet for running into me. How is that house safe and sound going into Hicksville?

Oh and myspace has basically bloack listed me just like epilepsy is if you haven't noticed. Get real pople your all their patsies.

[RanMan]

Hi Chris,
IMO ~ smoking pot has really helped me with the side affects of the anti-epileptic drugs.
The Epilepsy is still the same.
I speak from 29 years experience.(personal experience, not from something I read on the internet)

Randy

[Chris123]

That sure is alot of meds ranman, how long have you been taking all of those? And, How long have you been smoking MJ? How does the MJ help you with the side affects?

- The main reason Im wondering about MJ and my siezures is because Ive been smoking so long and never had any problems. But, within the last couple months I noticed that after I smoked MJ, the smell of cigs made me throw up or or gag really bad. Then right before my last seizure I smoked some really good pot. About an hour later I had the siezure. Now I find myself wondering if it was the MJ or if Im allergic to it or something. What do you think?

[Chris123]

zara, dude you are so weird

[Mike]

It is about LOVE! If we all cared for one another as we should than there would be peace of mind for us all. You have to know what a stress free life would meen for us all. Epileptic or not.

[Birdbomb]

This thread is also pertinent....

Marijuana



Chris123
It could be the kind/age of mj you are using to cause you problems.

[RanMan]

Chris123,

Answer to your questions:

1) ~ Been on meds since 1979.
2) ~ Been smoking MJ periodically (not freuent) since 1979.
3) ~ It helps the side affects by: Believe it or not, Marijuana totally makes the side affects go away.

No more mood swings, more aware of my surroundings, much better co-ordination and dexterity and gait ( that's hard to believe eh) to name a few.

Randy