Drinking while on epilepsy meds?

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Anyone have some advice on drinking while on epilepsy meds? Going out Saturday night for some fun with family :woot: & never have before:paperbag:. So any advice on drinks that are worse for epilepsy & depression meds or should there be a limit?
 
Be very careful. I still have a glass of wine, once or twice a week. That is it. I get too sleepy otherwise. Be sure to have food in your stomach and have water too. Have a good time, but like I said, be careful.
 
I haven't had any issues (knock wood) with drinking. Most evenings I have 1 or 2 beers and things seem fine. Sometimes I've drank more then I probably should and do ok too. Hangovers are a bitch though sometimes.

Having said that, I'm familiar with how it effects me and my body. If I've not drank before, I wouldn't want to try it out in public somewhere because for many folks it is a trigger.

Good luck to you. I hope you do ok. Might want to try a glass of water between alcoholic beverages.
 
Never tried it, never will. Neurologist says not smart on my part. :(
 
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Drinking on any prescribed medication is not good idea even a worse idea to NOT take your meds just so you can drink, that would definitely be a trigger. I take 5 prescribed medications and any kind of alcohol is BAD. I would not risk it at all.
 
I used to drink a glass or two of wine several days a week and it didn't seem to make any difference at all in my seizures or how I felt or anything. About 4 years ago or so I just kind of got tired of the taste of wine and the grogginess that even a glass or two would bring on so I stopped drinking it. Not drinking is fine, and I save some money, ut it didn't seem to make any difference to my epilepsy.
 
Even if drinking doesn't trigger a seizure, alcohol might interact with the meds themselves. Here is an article on the effects of alcohol with medications, including Antiseizure meds and even over the counter ones. Of course in meds like cough syrup, how do they account for the alcohol already in them? lol But still, alcohol combined with meds may not always produce side effects or trigger seizures BUT it brings the risk WAY up.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa27.htm
 
If you want to know the real facts and the risks, best bet is to ask the Neurologist him or herself, they will lay it on the line and if you choose to risk it, your choice and they warned you.
 
I am with Anglewith, about the safest thing is skip it. I have dones this for years and had (more) than my fair share of fun. Its up to you... All the best, D
 
I've found that I have no problem having a few drinks. But there is a lot of variation in individual response -- not just to alcohol, but to drugs, caffeine, or other substances that can have strong effects on the brain and body. If you're not sure how you'll feel, play it safe -- either skip the alcohol altogether, or just have one small drink, with food and water at the same time.
 
hi

Hi , be very careful with any drink especially antidepressive pills . Alcohal may make you happy but it is a depresive drug . If I ever do drink I will dink a cup that has about 2cup sizes in it . I will dink 1 shot glass of vodak with cranberry juice and water and ice . It does the trick for me . I am also on 5 different meds for epilepsy . once a month , be careful , You could get much more sick than the average person . jenn
 
For ME, I notice a DECREASE in seizure activity when I'm drinking. I guess because it's a depressant.. Just like very high caffeine content is a trigger for me (not coffee, but energy drinks). I think it also depends on your medications. I'm on Keppra and Lamictal XR, and now that my body has adjusted, I haven't had any issues. Then again, they are both processed in the kidneys and not the liver. I suppose drink slowly and see how your body responds. When I had my first drink in three months, I was feeling happily buzzed with one drink.
 
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