Epilepsy and heart issues

[cadsgj]

Epileptic seizures really suck, especially when one also has heart problems. The main part of the problem with me is after my stronger seizures, heart pain is there as I slip back to this world. And of course with seizures creating heart issues, or making them worse, one really gets worried, or I would have to say I do. Does anyone else deal with similar issues like this? In several links I read, cardiovascular disease is usually not the issues I deal with when seizures hit.

I did look up a couple places on the internet and read them... interesting statement I came across:

"The changes in brain function can affect the ANS (autonomic nervous system), potentially leading to cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Rarely, a seizure may cause a dangerous heart rhythm or cardiac arrest... interrupts the heart's normal rhythm, causing the heart to beat too slowly, too quickly, or erratically.

Cardiovascular disease in addition with epilepsy can be quite worrisome, especially as our age sneaks up on us. 30 years of seizures; over the years for many of us (I guess) the seizures change. Mine go up and down, up; worse, better, bad again...

 

[Dani1960]

Your post worried me. I saw it yesterday but no time to comment till today. My paternal grandfather had epilepsy from a blow to his head. He developed psychiatric- psychological issues. Threatened my aunt and my grandmother. In 2018 during the time my dose of topiramate was being tapered. I Looked up his death certificate. The cause was myocardial infarction. I often wonder still if it really was SUDEP. I have been seizure free a little over 10 years. I have hypertension. Recently I switched from lisinooril to losartan which research shows helps prevent seizures. I take now lamotrigine 100mg twice daily. My eeg shows a breach rhythm.This is a non epileptic abnormal rhythm from skull defect. I had a craniotomy in May 2014 to remove access from my left temporal lobe from bacterial meningitis of my brain. There are tittsniim plates and screws . I have seen it from dental xrsys. Not sure if thus helps. I walk about 3000 steps daily. Trying to manage my stress.

 

[cadsgj]

Sorry to read about your grandfather. And it seems like you certainly need to deal with quite a bit with your health issues. As well I saw that you are taking the same drug as one of mine. Personally, I do not believe it does a thing for me, but my neurologist believes it is a drug that works well in addition to 3 others they have me on. Fingers crossed for you that things you deal with get better!

I am asking my dr to take me off one of the drugs that makes my balance frequently an issue. I know she will send me to my neurologist, but if that is how I can

 

[Dani1960]

Thank you for your reply. I am a retired nurse. Was RN. Lowest dose for the shortest amount of time appears to be gone in healthcare now. But I try to do this. I have been fortunate that in terms of seizure prophylaxis monotherapy worked. I never new my paternal grandfather. It is a sad story about him. My paternal grandmother was my favorite grandmother. In a legal name change part of my current last name is her maiden name. I am good so far on the losartan for my BP but some side effects still there. Lightheaded. BP down. Take care of you and your health. We all have nothing else.

 

[suebear]

All I'm going to say on this, I had a heart attack in 2020 due to not having a good diet which was proven after blood tests taken it showed both low and high levels were not as they should be. So with that being said, after the stent was changed my visit to the cardiologist started with talking about how to change my health using a better eating habit. Very first thing I did - drop the sugar from my morning diet. I'm not kidding. Morning coffee became black with a small amount of milk in it and that was that.

Without even raising a question, after drinking my morning coffee I went straight to drinking water for the rest of the day. I did all of this activity on cold turkey as I just decided health was more valuable. I drew up a healthy diet to go with that had the eating of more vegetables and fruit with each meal. I got my specialist involved with what I was doing and the cardiologist was quite happy as he could see it wasn't a diet per-say it was more of a life choice that I chose to make. My husband and I actually began to follow this type of eating together and in many of our meals we would have chicken instead of red meat or something that would be fattening. In many of the meals that were created we would use the Instant Pot as it was just as easy creating with that appliance rather than cooking on the stove or in the microwave.

Since I have started eating healthier, I have started to exercise and I am noticing the weight is coming down slowly which is something I feel very happy about. I am going to keep up this daily living life choice as it was well worth making for myself.

 

[Dani1960]

Very glad to hear you made these changes. I walk 3000 steps daily.