Seizure Triggers

[hawke86]

Does anyone know what can trigger your seizures? What do you usually do to avoid these triggers. My triggers are usually not enough rest or if I forget to take my medicine. Besides me has anyone forgotten to take their medicine?

[Bernard]

Epilepsy Triggers

[Georgiagirl88]

I definitely have more seizures when I don't get enough sleep. Or if I m out of my normal schedule. I am newer to meds for my seizures, but I think I forgot my a.m. dose once. I try to keep to a schedule.

Michelle

[natalie]

I have anywhere from 1 to 7 complex partial seizures a day that I don't worry about the triggers anymore. When I was first diagnosed, I had high hopes of being seizure free and I tried very hard to avoid the triggers. However, even when I avoided most triggers (I had a good sleep pattern and took my meds exactly 12 hours apart) I still had daily seizures...so now...I am more relaxed and I try to find ways to just enjoy life as much as I can.

I still find that getting plenty of sleep is very very important, but for me...if I forget one pill...it isn't going to affect me terribly (please keep in mind that this is just me because I am already having seizures...LOL). If your seizures are controlled, missing your pills even once could possibly affect your control....so it may be important to not miss your pills.

[BuckeyeFan]

I have never been able to identify any specific triggers. Good sleep and reduced stress make me feel better overall, however neither seems to affect me.

Once in a great while I do miss a dose of my medication. When I do, I am very careful the next few days just in case. For ME, this does not usually cause any problems, but that may be because my medications are extended release and rely more on a long term level in my system versus a short impact like an aspirin.

Anyone taking Dilantin may want to ask your neurologist about Phenytek. Same thing only extended release is what my neurologist told me. My research on the web says the same. This helps keep a stable level in your blood at all times.

[skillefer]

Mine are low blood sugar, too much stress, and not enough sleep. As for the medication...yeah, believe it or not, I've forgotten to take it. Of course, when you're supposed to take it 5 times a day, and you sleep in on Saturday, it tends to throw the med schedule off.

[natalie]

Mine are low blood sugar, too much stress, and not enough sleep. As for the medication...yeah, believe it or not, I've forgotten to take it. Of course, when you're supposed to take it 5 times a day, and you sleep in on Saturday, it tends to throw the med schedule off.

hahahaha! Skillefer, I only take mine twice a day, but it needs to be exactly 12 hours apart. So, I was taking it at 9 and 9, but I kept missing it as I sometimes slept past 9. Then I tried 10 and 10. Finally, I just decided 12 and 12 were the safest bet! There are those nights that I want to fall asleep before midnight though...LOL!

[RobinN]

Rebecca's biggest trigger is her hormones. In addition I am sure that some of her medicines were triggers too. Blood sugar levels, or types of food also seem to be an issue, but I can pin point what.

Right now nothing is triggering her except last month the first day of her period did.

[Molly97]

Triggers. I know for sure that bumpy roads can trigger my seizures, whether it's on the motorcycle with my husband or in the car. In Ok, you can't avoid bumpy roads; our road system is really in bad state of repair.
I know that the temperature of the shower is a trigger; that I can and do control.
I know that if I'm out in the yard working in the heat, I can have a seizure. I am like others: work early, and stay in during the heat of the day.
And then there are times that in spite of being careful about everything I'm doing, I still have that unexpected seizure. I am 60 years old, and I'm really getting tired of those unexpected seizures.
So, I pretty much do what I want with some vigilance and caution and do the best I can.