I am so tired of trying to make my point

[Molly97]

I have been moving in a new direction in dealing with my seizures, as several of you here know. I am taking charge of my life, learning about my seizures, and ways of dealing with them besides medications. Currently I am on the GARD and looking into supplements. My seizures are varied but not the drop to the floor type I had last year at this time. I've had problems with my seizures for the past ten years, been on every medication and then some. Until the past year, I was so drugged that I slept walked through life, unable to focus on much or get any real thinking done. Being completely off meds has helped that situation. I am becoming a believer in the fact that we all are putting a lot of toxins into our bodies through food as well as meds and of course, the environment.

Here's my "problem." I am becoming really passionate about everything I'm learning, especially the possibilities of controlling illness without meds. My husband, although he listens to me on the soapbox, does not share my point of view.

Right now, he is extremely depressed and wants to go back on meds for it. He has been on Wellbutrin twice in five years. Each time has ended badly for him as he has had to get off it due to side effects. He's thinking that possibly he's bipolar. He says meds. I say there's gotta be another way. I have looked online at the symptoms of bipolar(he fits some of the mania symptoms and some of the depression symptoms), and I've looked at the meds they're using. I am alarmed. He drives truck for a living. I don't think the DOT will allow him on these meds and still drive.

At this point, I have to say that in the late 80's I was diagnosed bipolar. Was on numerous cocktails for it. I gave up the drugs for bipolar in the middle 90's. By 97, I was having a lot of seizures that changed my whole life. I wonder now if the drugs I was taking lowered the threshold for seizures. From the little that I've read, I think this could be true.

My point to my darling hubby is that there has to be another way. He wants a quick fix NOW. He's sick of living his life in the chaos it has become. I want him better. I want him happy. I found some research that said that bipolar can be affected by gluten and dairy in the diet(dogtor j fans, are we surprised?). I found some research that pointed toward helping depression with omega 3. I told him all these things. He says on the road, it's next to impossible to control his diet the way I can at home. And he wants to feel better, NOW.

Is there anyone here who has struggled with bipolar or who knows any links indicating alternative therapies for depression. He has tried counseling(quit in frustration with his therapist), and doesn't want to try it again. It took me 4 therapists to find one who could go at my pace and still challenge me. So I know it can work.

He just thinks I've "gotten religion" about health issues.
Arrrhhhh!!!!!

[alivenwell]

I know that Lamictal is used for bipolar disorders. Some people dislike Lamictal. I found it really helped my threshold level and drastically improved my life. I felt very few bad side effects from it. RobinN may disagree on this one.

Is it possible that you switched from brand to generic, or from one generic drug company product to a different generic company's product for the 'same' medication? They're looking into obtaining laws that will inform people with epilepsy about potential switches in the drugs like this. People with epilepsy can be extremely sensitive to a minor switch in a drug's level due to a generic company switch or a brand to generic switch. I was told years ago that it's best to use a brand name only because it has a consistent filler all of the time.

I also personally find exercise to be a great stress buster. I imagine that it should be done with a gradual increase in activity, in a controlled environment like a gym with a physical therapist who is aware of the epilepsy. I wouldn't share the potential bipolar issue with the physical therapist unless you absolutely have to do that. I would not take your husband to a pool. That's kind of dangerous.

There are treadmills that have little devices that detect if the user has stopped walking. I have one with a heart rate monitor attached to my ear lobe. It has an automatic switch off if I pull a string attached to a plastic device. Also, at my gym, we write down the number of repetitions for each type of exercise. Keeping a journal may help.

The one thing you may need to be careful with while exercising is prevention of dehydration. I personally over did it a few years ago by drinking too much water. Some people in here recommend sports drinks like Gatorade with enough potassium and other nutrients that we lose when we work out. Bernard's wife Stacy has recommended the sports drinks.

Therapists can be OK, but I honestly think my best therapist is my border collie. She plays, she goes for a good run and she sleeps with me. She demands a good workout. Right now, with extremely hot weather, we started to run the air conditioning for her. We are playing indoors for a while.

Your husband sounds like he's ready for a change. What works for you may be totally different for him. Personally, I'd get an active dog. There are no drugs involved, and dogs can be very therapeutic company.

I've seen a truck driver on TV with a little dog in the passenger seat. The dog is a great guard and great company (no offense there). Personally, if you do get a dog, please get one of those seat belt harnesses for your dog's safety.

And, it's NOT impossible to be on a special diet while traveling. We obtained one of those little refrigerators that plug into the cigarette lighter. We took it across the country to prevent random stops to various unhealthy places.

[Molly97]

Just lost the neatest little schnauzer we've ever had to malignant melanoma of the mouth last October at the age of 10. We're still grieving that loss; no dogs in our near future.

[alivenwell]

Just lost the neatest little schnauzer we've ever had to malignant melanoma of the mouth last October at the age of 10. We're still grieving that loss; no dogs in our near future.

That is sad. My parents lost a very dear Lhasa Apso 15 years ago. We bought them a black spunky intelligent dog. They would not have purchased another dog, either. But, today, they are extremely attached to their black dog.

Ironically, several dogs in my neighborhood got cancer as you described. I'm going to give my dog hamburger and rice from now on. I wonder if the quality of the dog food is causing any of this.

I can't believe my dog is 6 years old already.

[Molly97]

Have you read dogtor j's website. He's a vet, the proponent of the GARD talked about on this website. You need to read what he has to say about current dog foods, and the RAW diet. I think everyone should be concerned about the diet that the manufacturers are giving them for dog or cat food.

And about getting another dog. No. Not right now. We've been offered dogs; we have refused. Our current lifestyle just doesn't support having any animal right now.

[alivenwell]

Have you read dogtor j's website. He's a vet, the proponent of the GARD talked about on this website. You need to read what he has to say about current dog foods, and the RAW diet. I think everyone should be concerned about the diet that the manufacturers are giving them for dog or cat food.

And about getting another dog. No. Not right now. We've been offered dogs; we have refused. Our current lifestyle just doesn't support having any animal right now.

I'll definitely look into it. My border collie is SO precious. She's spunky, active and affectionate. It's a rare combination.

Thanks for pointing that out!