Constant partials suck!! Hey from Scotland!

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EpiScott87

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Hey guys and girls, I hope all is well!

I came across this site through a separate thread I seen on Google regarding my medication (keppra) and alcohol, while searching. And first of all I'd like to salute the admins running this. It's awesome and comforting knowing not that other people are suffering, but that other sufferers care enough to chip in and contribute their valuable time and effort into something like this.

Anyway, selfish time...I've had epilepsy since 2008, me and my neurologist believe it was triggered by over working, stress and a party lifestyle. Currently taking 1500g keppra and 300g Topiramate split between morning and night. Still drink alcohol, tolerance hasn't really been affected, but I have stopped drinking more than one or two nights a weekend.

At the moment my tonic clonic seizures are seldom at best, in fact I havnt had one since April. Which was right after the doc upped my dose, and that tends to be a trend with me. At the moment tho my partial seizures are getting very frequent, to the point it's becoming a running joke at work. They're daily, today especially they were so frequent I got sent home. Any advice or tips? Anyone else got the same issue? Is this something I just have to deal with?

Cheers! Scott. :-)
 
I'd call your neurologist and schedule an appointment. Increase in frequency is usually a good bet that the meds need some adjusting. What are you taking? Have you tried other drugs?
 
Sometimes it seems like seizures have a mind of their own. Just when things get adjusted and in a good place, they somehow figure out a way to get around the blockade. I'm always having to go in and adjust the meds.
 
Hi and Welcome EpiScott,

I also take Keppra and Topomax for seizures, but much higher dosage of Keppra. IMO, alcohol shouldn't be taken with Keppra as alcohol can lower one's seizure threshold. And the meds don't mix with alcohol on a regular basis. If your partials are becoming more frequent, you need to let the dr. know. You may need to increase your meds again, as these partial seizures could go into TC's.
 
Hi and welcome,

Like the others, I wouldn't drink the alcohol, that is to big a price to pay.

I hope you call your Neur, and must likely they will adjust your meds.
 
Hi EpiScott87, welcome to CWE!

When you experience multiple kinds of seizures, the meds may need a lot of tweaking to get full seizure control. It's possible that a different med might give you better control of the partials. Something to chat with your neuro about.

Aside from that, do your best to avoid any known triggers. Keeping a seizure diary will help you some sense of any patterns or factors that may be playing a role. Triggers can be things like food sensitivities (aspartame, MSG, gluten, caffeine, etc.), metabolic issues (nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, low blood sugar), hormonal problems (thyroid), physiological stressors (fatigue, infection, illness, emotional stress), and environmental stimuli (fluorescent or flashing lights).

Good general info can be found here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

Best,
Nakamova
 
Wow thanks for the replies folks. :-) More appreciated too.

Na I've only been on the two types of meds both mentioned on my profile and above. First keppra and then topamax. And this year I've only went up by 100mg. Got an emergency GP appointment tomorrow but cant get a consultation with my neurologist till mid Dec.

The gradual increasing is Usually fine initially, but I think they still havnt got it right. Definitely gonna ask about new meds and look into what I'm consuming. Caffeine and other stimulants have been some of my triggers in the past. Typical tho it's along side tiredness, so it's a no win situation lol

As for my alcohol consumption I'm definitely gonna stop. Certainly for a long while. Strangely enough tho I have stopped entirely for a couple of months at a time quite a few times, since getting epilepsy and found no difference. But each to their own. If it will stop these it's well worth it.

Heard something recently about how a version of the Atkins diet is beneficial to epileptics. Any of you tried any alternative things? Diets, exercise etc?

Thanks again, Scott :-P
 
I glad to hear you have an appt. tomorrow.

Wishing you the best. Let us know how it goes.
 
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