For those with seizures affected by the gut...

[LuvMyTwins]

Has anyone tried colonic hydrotherapy (colonics) to deal with the issues? It was suggested I do this due to a build up of yeast, etc.---LMT

[RobinN]

I have read a little bit about this, but not enough to make a decision yay or nay.

[LuvMyTwins]

I've gone back and forth about it. For obvious reasons, I feel that the health of the digestive tract is paramount to the occurance of seizures. When things are not going right, I'm a little loopy. The meds alone can make you toxic. Yet, until I finish off with those I'm a bit stuck. So, I'm working to research about the benefits.
The Hippocrates Health Institute is a big believer in colon health. Their theory is that most diseases are caused by a lack of traditional medicine looking at this very important system as a cause for disease. I happen to agree that digestive care is huge!

[RobinN]

However I keep going back to how we were designed. I don't believe we were designed for this process. I think there has to be a more natural function to make this happen. Does that mean more fasting? Man had to go days at a time without major meals. Clear water...

However, I have heard personal stories of how this has improved health immediately.
A more modern way to get back to the basics.

Conventional medicine told me that it was quite normal for the colon to not produce by products for days. That was a GI doctor. He told me there was no proof that the gut caused neurologist disorders. If I could show him proof he would read it, and consider it. Like I have all the time in the world to do his research.

Probiotics, GSE, OLE, clear fluids, foods put on the earth hundreds of years ago... all contribute to the health of the GI tract.

[LuvMyTwins]

You make a very good point. We were not designed for these procedures and thus, should be careful when going in blindly.
Ann Wigemore in her book, Hippocrates Health, speaks about how we're the most advanced mammal on the planet and yet, we go to others to solve our problems. Those creatures "below" us on intelligence scales use instinct to either fast or heal themselves.
It was a GI doctor that told me that there was no such thing as candida. It was also a GI who overdosed me on the antibiotic that would only "help" me. I have no faith in GIs.
I think I will research fasting. My body needs something to clean and refresh. Hopefully, it will take with it some of the detox symptoms from titrating down.
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are a part of my daily routine. They've helped a lot on the road to health. VSL#3 is particularly helpful as the live bacteria count is near 225 billion!

[Kansas Educator]

What is VSL #3?

[LuvMyTwins]

It's a probiotic. You can get the standard amount of live bacteria over the counter (go to their site---you can see what stores have it). Because I have stomach issues, I went with double strength which your physician prescribes. It is covered by most (if not all) insurances.

[RanMan]

I've had Ulcerative Colitis and Epilepsy since 1979 ~ both of these conditions are believed to be stress related but that fact has yet to be proven. As you know, stress effects everybody differently and this is what it has done to me. It has been documented that ppl with EP have a greater chance of getting some sort of bowel condition (IBS)or visa/versa as there are so many nerves in the digestive tract that "could" be affected by a seizure condition.
Some of the first symptoms to watch for are: 1) first sign is mucus in the stools ~ then blood in the stools.
2) Feeling that you always have to empty your bowels ~ sometimes every 15 mins or every hour (depending on the severity)
3) When you go to the washroom, all you get is Lots of gas accompanied with blood and/or mucus.
4) bloating of the stomach.
5) Usually flares up AFTER a stressful event (same as a seizure or anaura) or if you've been eating acidy foods or caffine or dairy prods.

But I find it's very well controlled with medication.
I usually have a flare up every 2 yrs.
Very tricky to control though with my Epilepsy, like walking a tight rope.
My blood levels have to be monitored weekly so I can maintain the theraputic level for my anti-epileptic drug's but not mess up my UC med count. IE: My UC meds paint a protective coating on the bowel and stomach walls and as a result, the anti-epileptic drug's can't motabilize properly ~ then if you increase yor anti-epileptic drug's, they could become toxic in your system or if you have a flare up, you have to increase your doseage of the UC meds (mine is Asasol) then it's that much harder for the anti-epileptic drug's to penetrate the stomach and bowel so if you increase your doseage of anti-epileptic drug's, they can become toxic and you will act like a drunk or stoner.

What I have found is that a flare up or EP seizure will happen AFTER a stressful event like I said above b/c during a relaxed time, your body's natural defenses are down.

Since I have EP and UC, my neurologist says it's very difficult to control.
I'm currently seeing Dr. A. Upton, proffessor of Neurology, McMaster Univerity Medical Centre, He's lectured on my case and it has been documented in the 1986 Medical Journal.

Randy
diagnosed with epilepsy and Ulcerative Colitis in 1979
- current meds are:

275mg dilantin/day
120mg pheonobarb/day
3,000mg Mesasol/day

[Molly97]

Several years ago, I noticed a very direct correlation between my seizures and my gut. Didn't find much online to support my theory at the time. The gut was where I was getting my auras.

Since I've been on the GARD(I hate to keep talking about this), my gut/seizure auras have stopped. My gut is healthy. This may not be a solution for everyone, but it is my solution.

[LuvMyTwins]

Agree heartily with everyone! The gut brain connection is amazing. I've noticed that when my body is trying to tell me something it will start in my gut. I've learned---through neurofeedback and anxiety techniques---to stop it there. Yet, if I'm having an "off" day, look out--anything can happen.

I've been diagnosed with IBS and a raw food diet has helped immensely with that. Unfortunately, even a RFD has to be monitored as I ate a whole boatload of organic cherries (like a pound) for breakfast and then realized that they had natural sorbitol/fructose and was sicker than ever (no seizure though). It's tough when you have to monitor two conditions. Yet, if both the belief and the will are there it will work.

[RobinN]

Since I've been on the GARD(I hate to keep talking about this), my gut/seizure auras have stopped. My gut is healthy. This may not be a solution for everyone, but it is my solution.

Never stop talking about it!
I have found so many people with medical issues that can be helped with our knowledge. We need to share it, it is up to them whether or not they follow through.

YAY!

[candace3689]

My GI also told me there is not enough research re: candida and they dont beleive in it..usually if they cannot find anything its diagnosed as IBS.