Caffeine prevents simple partial seizures??

[archibrain]

Against popular opinion, consuming caffeine (1-2 cups of coffee in a.m.) prevents most of my simple partial seizures. For me the seizures are the type that cause loss of speech and language comprehension which may last from 1 second to 10 seconds and often happen in clusters, while having full physical ability. I had 3 generalized seizures over 10 years ago and tegretol has prevented them ever since.

For the past 2 years these partials started and have gotten worse and have tried 3 different meds while with a well known epileptologist in Chicago. He believes that caffeine does help me to keep my brain in sync. In fact, he said that he has seen no evidence in his 30 years of treating that caffeine causes seizures. He may have been meaning for my specific type of episodes, but still, I was surprised. I was actually relieved.

For now, the caffeine helps me more than any of the other meds. I've even tested by going on and off coffee a week at a time and when starting back on the coffee, it definitely helped. I wanted to see if anyone else out there sees any improvement with caffeine with similar seizures. I'd appreciate any responses.

 

[Nakamova]

There's a similar thing with caffeine and migraines. For some folks caffeine causes migraines or makes them worse, but for others caffeine brings relief. It probably has something to do with the way caffeine molecules constrict the blood vessels in the brain.

 

[Cint]

I sometimes take Excedrine for migraines and one of the ingredients listed on the bottle is caffeine. It does relieve my headache, usually, not always.

 

[Wobblez]

I definitely feel better on the days that I have my morning coffee. It's probably just "normal person" better but either way, it works for me =)

No offence meant on the "normal person" reference!!