Fitness for Epilepsy

[daintons]

Hello there,

I'm a fitness writer and, recently diagnosed with epilepsy, I am planning on writing a book about fitness and good health for those with the condition.

Right now I am doing some research and looking for feedback from fellow men and women about whether this kind of book would (a) be of interest to you, and (b) what you would like to see covered or mentioned in the book.

I am looking to cover exercise routines for beginners through to more advanced people, for those that can't make it to a gym, and for gym goers alike. I will also cover diet and lifestyle guidelines.

It would be great to hear your views if this sort of book would be of interest or use to you.

Thanks in advance

Simon Dainton

[Parker26]

I would be interested. I notice seizure meds knock your energy down and your strength. Im sure a great diet and workout routine could help with that. I think you should do a more hands on approach. Maybe go to an epilepsy support group and see what they think. Speak to neurologists also

[daintons]

I think that's a great suggestion. I've seen that there is a local support group near me, so I will get in touch and socialise with others on the subject.

I also plan to get in touch with my own neurologist and seek out others for interview. Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

Simon

[Nakamova]

I've heard different things about breathing and stretching exercises -- some being good for people with epilepsy, some less so. So if you have any light to shed on that that would be helpful.

[rangerwvu]

The one thing that jumped immediately to my mind would probably fall within the larger category of 'safety' perhaps....I have been athletic most of my life, but last year I had several occurances of pulled muscles while doing routine exercise that had never been a problem before and then in January broke several bones in my foot and two toes when I hit my foot while exercising on free weights on the floor (ok, I was not paying attention and gracefully ran into them but not hard enough to cause the damage it did...). It would seem that some if not all of this may be related to being on anti-seiz meds for several years. If I had realized that there was the potential for easier to pull muscles, weaker bones, etc..after taking these meds for a while..I would have been more careful. I def would have started with a much higher than normal dose of vitamin D, etc....which I did not learn to do prior to getting info off of this site. So if some of those points could be mentioned, it might help folks, especially if some of the same things that they have done for many years now have higher risks than they might be aware of due to the physiological changes the meds can make? just a thought.

[dfwtexas]

I know there are quite a few here, including me, that have other health issues..so we are limited on exercise depending on other condition involved.

[rangerwvu]

Do you think it would be useful/helpfull to include information, very detailed instructions on very low impact exercises folks could do from a seated position, or even laying on the floor for that matter? I have do not have any info on this, but I think that there are some that can be done?

[Endless]

I'd be interested, Simon. I'm having a rough time. The medication is making my joints very painful. My old favorite form of exercise would work if my doctor would let me do it - but swimming is forbidden right now. I've been cheating and doing water aerobics, and making sure I go with a family member who keeps an eye on me. I think if my doc knew he'd say don't do that either. He's afraid I'll have a seizure and drown.

I've been doing Tai Chi also, and that is helping some. I have loose ligaments and the physical therapist says "no" on Yoga. He's the one that recommended Tai Chi instead, and I'm getting to like it.

My thought about your book is that different types of seizures have different types of safety concerns. A complex partial where no one is aware you are having one, and you keep walking, running, etc. while you are unconcious has a different set of concerns than drop attacks where you don't travel anywhere and everyone around you knows you are having a seizure, vs. simple partials where you are still concious but may be a bit loopy for awhile, etc.

[rangerwvu]

Safety concerns being different for different types of seizures is an EXCELLENT point Endless. Did not even think of all the ways it could apply. For my complex partials, it is almost always a bit more involved than the typical one perhaps? I cannot remain standing, cannot see or speak, but I can hear. So, I really can only work out with at least one other person who knows (a really big piece of this is so folks wont call an ambulance thinking I am dead or dying of a heart attack, etc..). But I can work out on most equipment now, not freeweights anymore really. If I am on a 'machine' and an simple or complex develops/hits, and I loose control of my arms/legs, the weights just fall, but not on me, as the machine controls for that, etc...and it only takes me a couple of seconds to safely release the bars, etc...if I start to feel a seizure coming my way.....but, the way I have worked this out would only work for a sub-set of a larger group? Perhaps a good idea would be to break out different 'sections' of exercises grouped together and folks could pick out the best for their particular situation. As my E has changed a bit over the years, I could modify or get some ideas from it...I would be interested in that....I really never thought of Tai Chi, think I will look into that!

[daintons]

Hi Guys,

Sorry, I've been away from the forum for a few days but what a great response, and lots of
really useful comments and pieces of advice.

Nakamova - I fully intend to include some breathing exercises in the book, especially for
people who are just starting exercise and need to focus the mind initially.

Rangerwvu - Great input - thank you. I have heard many people talk of osteoporosis being
a big issue, caused by the meds they are on, so I definitely see a link, although I will have to
do more research into this. With regards to seated exercise, yes, I have plenty of ideas for these and for floor exercises.

I also think breaking down different types of exercise into sub-groups, as you mentioned, would be a great way for people to almost 'pick and mix' what works for them, so that they can avoid anything that is contra-indicated by their specialist.

dfwtexas - I understand that many people with the condition have other health issues, which only places greater stress on them, but by including breathing and seated / low impact exercises, this should help cater for a greater reach of people.

Endless - With Rangerwu's suggestion of offering a variety, I think people will be able to choose which exercises or circuits they want to practice, depending on their ability and level of health.

These are all great points, and yet more ideas and suggestions I will be adding to the ever-growing list of potential content I have for the book.

Thanks again, and if you have any more thoughts, please don't hesitate to offer them.

Simon

[daintons]

Hello again,

In creating this book, I am looking for a suitable title to call the book, but am conscious that some people may not want the word 'epilepsy' in the title, drawing attention to their condition. Would I be right or am I thinking too much??

Keeping epilepsy in the title, here are my ideas so far. Please feel free to comment or pick ones that you feel suitable:

Epilepsy Exercise Guide
keep fit for epilepsy
epilepsy fitness
epilepsy life change
exercise with epilepsy
be fit for epilepsy
being fit for epilepsy
be fit with epilepsy
stay fit with epilepsy
keep fit with epilepsy
fitness for epilepsy
get fit with epilepsy
exercise with epilepsy
active with epilepsy
active for epilepsy
epilepsy and exercise
epilepsy workout tips
exercise for epilepsy
exercise with epilepsy

Thanks

Simon

[salright2baredneck]

If you are going to cover both phisical and dietary fitness you could call it:
"The Whole Me"
An Epileptics Guide to Fitness

And if you could tell people how to even get motivated to exercize while being drug down by their meds, that would be a great thing.

[rangerwvu]

I actually like the idea of keeping Epilepsy in the title...would be easier to find as a resource and would let folks have a better idea of topic and draw their interest? It is amazing how good it can feel just to know that there are 'normal things' you can do, after feeling down about missing what you used to have or never had for that matter. Title is a hard one, several good options. I would think that anything that ties being healthy/expercise/fitness to Epilepsy would be good....

One of the things I am trying to do for myself, and sometimes have to fight myself for on any given day, is to not let E define me but live with it much like someone must do with diabetis, etc...something to work around/with as you go through life. Do anything/everything I want to do....getting/staying fit as much as possible helps so much with the emotion of E and or side effects of medication (feeling down/depressed, anger, low energy, etc..); as well as body recovering more quickly, etc...even if all you can do on any given day is some type of cardio while seated, lifting arms, etc it may help combat these things for some....this is one reason I like the idea of someone seeing the title and thinking, "wow, wonder what this is about, there is no way I could do that, lets see what this crazy author is trying to sale, etc..." LOL. Of course, I am assuming some folks would think fit = gym/weight lifting, etc.....Best of luck to you!

[daintons]

rangerwvu - Great thoughts and thanks for sharing them with me. :-)

Although my fitness background involves higher resistance exercise, I want to pitch this book at helping everyday people who are either too scared / concerned or unsure how to start exercising or continuing with a basic fitness programme.

I know that most people will not be avid gym goers, so I am keeping everything lower key for the book. I can always up the intensity or challenges with my next volume if there is a demand or interest.

I am also going to cover mindset and lifestyle in the book, so your comments will prove very valuable.

Thanks

Simon

[Junebug]

Love all the other ideas that everyone else is suggesting! Some thing that I have been very interested in lately is diet change. It's been proven that people who eat healthier are healthier and happier and they live longer because they don't get life threatening diseases like Cancer which some kinds of Cancer has been linked to the chemicals that are in our food such as milk, fruits, veggies and just about everything we eat that we think is good for us.
I would be really interested in finding a book that helps people with Epilepsy (and just about everyone else too,) find a away to eat healthier foods that are not 'tainted' with chemicals.