I have had 5 non epileptic seizures in my life

[Judeblack]

I've had 5 seizures in 31 years. 1st following traumatic labour and emergency caesarean. 3 more 8/9 years ago following alcohol withdrawal. Last one was 4 years ago when had taken too many antihistamines. Brain scan showed no epilepsy but offered little explanation as to why. I know this may sound crazy, but have thinking about using Ayahuasca in shamanic ceremony but need to know if this is dangerous. Please can anyone help? J.

 

[Nakamova]

If you have a lowered seizure threshold, you should avoid psychoactive drugs. Ayahuaaca contains Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which can cause seizures:

In clinical studies, DMT was fully hallucinogenic at doses between 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg. The onset of DMT effects is very rapid but usually resolves within 30 to 45 minutes. Psychological effects include intense visual hallucinations, depersonalization, auditory distortions and an altered sense of time and body image. Physiological effects include hypertension, increased heart rate, agitation, seizures, dilated pupils, nystagmus (involuntary rapid rhythmic movement of the eye), dizziness and ataxia (muscular incoordination). At high doses, coma and respiratory arrest have occurred.

(from http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/dmt/dmt.htm)

 

[Judeblack]

Ayahuasca

Thanks for that. It's what I suspected. Do you know if this would not only bring on seizures but could it also take low threshold to high - could I become epileptic ? Sounds like I shouldn't be messing with it

 

[Nakamova]

You mean the other way around I think -- you want to avoid a low seizure threshold, since that means you are more vulnerable to having seizures.

Generally speaking, you don't want the brain to "get in the habit" of seizing. The more seizures you have, the more likely it is that you will have additional seizures, because over time, the abnormal brain pathway can change from being a small detour to a superhighway. So I recommend you avoid situations where you may be putting your brain at risk of seizing again.

 

[Judeblack]

Seizure thresholds

Thanks again for your help. I posed the question that way as I was unaware of 'thresholds' high or low.
All I was told when I had a brain scan was that there was no epilepsy - possibly something else ?!?! but no medication was indicated and in fact to be avoided as it would mean remaining on it for the rest of my life.
I did not know and still do not really understand thresholds.
Because I have had seizures induced by stress, alcohol withdrawal and antihistamine use (ie., various stimulii) that I have a low threshold to having seizures? I am now much more concerned about my likelihood of seizing than I was before. Recently, due to an injury I had nerve compression in my neck and my doctor prescribed amytriptaline - which by the sound of it was another dangerous thing to do. I chose not to take it as although it was not being used as an anti-depressant and the dose was very low, I felt uncomfortable about taking it.
Hope this makes sense - I have never really looked into the pathology of seizures until now and am quite shocked by my vulnerability.
Thanks again, J.

 

[Nakamova]

Everyone has different seizure thresholds. In addition, those seizure thresholds can change over time. Some folks become more sensitive to certain triggers, or develop new ones. In your case, it's tough to know how vulnerable you are, but the fact that you have several seizures suggests that you are more vulnerable than someone who has never had a seizure at all. The negative brain scan doesn't necessarily rule out epilepsy -- there are many CWE members who definitely have epilepsy, but whose brain scans have come up clean. On the other hand, you seem to be okay without medication, so you are not as vulnerable as many people with seizure disorders.

If you know what your triggers are, the safest route is to avoid them. If you can't avoid them, you may still be fine, but it would make sense to consider what might happen if you did have a seizure, and be prepared for that eventuality.

 

[John-Forrest]

Drug Use...

I will admit that all my life I have played around with psychoactive drugs to alter my consciousness. I've learned that meditation is a better and more natural approach. However, such drugs can be useful as a means to show you what is possible.

Certainly, smoking marijuana, getting drunk, snorting cocaine, shooting heroin, ingesting nicotine, drinking coffee, amphetamines, barbituates, antidepressants, taking prescribed drugs - all of these have a direct effect on our neurological system and can lead to serious malfunctions which include seizures.

Rather than automatically going on a regimen of prescribed drugs which may be adding to this imbalance - perhaps it would be better to look at the above. Severe alcoholics are known to have seizures upon withdrawal, as part of the hangover. I myself have drunk excessive amounts of caffiene and know that causes stress. I confess I love anitdepressants, they give me a 'high feeling'. The lamactil I take for rare seizures makes me pleasantly stoned We all have drugs of choice, legal or nonlegal. Even chocolate is a drug!

All drugs if you immediately stop them, will cause severe neurological discomfort, and seizures are common. I'm sure if I couldn't get my drugs refilled on time for some reason (and that has happened) - I would be very vulnerable to such events.