Risk Factors Associated with Epilepsy - Part I (Alcohol, Other Drugs, Foods)

Risk Factors Associated with Epilepsy - Part I - Alcohol, Other Drugs, Food

  • Alcoholic Beverages - Sporadically

    Votes: 19 19.6%
  • Alcoholic Beverages - Frequently

    Votes: 13 13.4%
  • Alcoholic Beverages - Special Occassions Only

    Votes: 24 24.7%
  • Alcoholic Beverages - Do Not Use

    Votes: 40 41.2%
  • Other Drugs - Sporadically or Very Isolated

    Votes: 7 7.2%
  • Other Drugs - Frequently

    Votes: 12 12.4%
  • Other Drugs - Do Not Use

    Votes: 51 52.6%
  • Foods - Sporadically

    Votes: 13 13.4%
  • Foods - Frequently

    Votes: 17 17.5%
  • Foods - Do Not Use and/or Avoid As Much As Possible

    Votes: 20 20.6%

  • Total voters
    97

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NOTE: This poll comes in Part I and Part II

This Poll is Part I

In reference to Alcohol, Other Drugs - meaning
O.T.C. - Over The Counter & Illegal and/or
Recreational Drugs, And Food that are KNOWN
to be Seizure provoking to YOU.

=================

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    But If You Do Post A Reply It Will Become Public
    And Anyone Viewing It Will See Your Response.
  • All Votes Are Private
  • You May Answer More Than One Selection Which
    Applies To You.
=================


Risk Factors Associated with Epilepsy - Part II - Doing Things When Advised Otherwise
 
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I don't know of any foods that affect Kater. They might but I (being the bad mom) haven't gone down that route.

As for the drugs and alcohol, the only drugs that best be in her are ones that I give her!!
 
I'm confused by the foods? I have never been told not to eat anything..
 
I'm confused by the foods? I have never been told not to eat anything..

Some foods are known to be (or contain) seizure triggers for some people (see http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/ for more info). In addition, simple sugars (and white flours) can be complicit - especially for folks who are borderline with blood sugar disorders (ie. hypoglycemia). Grapefruit can also be problematic as it can interfere with AED metabolism.
 
KATE:

Bernard beat me to the post but
primarily the question is:

Are you willing to take the RISK of eating
such FOOD(S) even though it will provoke
seizure(s) in you?
 
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Drugs and Alcohol

I don't touch drugs or alcohol just so I don't have to ask myself if either one was the reason as to why I had a seizure, both are eliminated as possible triggers. I smoke, but my Neuro told me as long as I'm not doing the others, I guess the only one you do is up to you if you want to quit or not. I'd like to try, but my previous attempts have failed. I have managed to stay away from drugs or alcohol.
 
I live a really clean life- no drugs or smoking. The legal epilepsy drugs are enough for me!
 
to me thats also like saying what is the risk of swimming? Or taking a bath? I do both and I let my son. I have one life. After my coma. Im living it.
 
I have drank more (still limited) over the past few years since my tc are controlled. I know I shouldn't, but I still do on occasion. Can't honestly say why.

Not sure how to answer the OTC question. I don't touch anything illegal, but do take pain killers and vitamins. I guess I do avoid tylenol (supposed to hard on the liver along with the dilantin) and avoid the antiacids that can impact the dilantin.

Other than grapefruit, I am not aware of any food issues with my E.
 
I never did illegal drugs. Not even once. I am just becoming aware of how much of a seizure trigger so many OTC drugs can be. The scary thing is the Neurologists I have talked to don't seem fully aware that you can be following the directions when taking an OTC med and it can still cause a seizure.
 
Let's see, I drink on special occasions, and then only one or two beers. As for drugs, I don't use them unless they are prescribed. And as for the food, well, as I am hypoglycemic, I tend to watch what I eat fairly well, and try to eat 5 times a day. I haven't had any major sugar issues....although my sugar did drop quick one day last week. But I think that's because we were busy in the process of moving, so my dinner ended up being a bowl of Captain Crunch. 3 hours later, my sugar dropped, my hands started to tremble, and I went and got myself a bowl of oatmeal and a piece of chicken. I pretty much avoid milk. (Lactose intolerant.) Although I do love cheese, yogurts, and those little drinkable Yakults. Normally, if I have a carb, I'll make sure I have a protein with it. Last week was a fluke.
 
I have never smoked or taking illegal drugs.
I have never been interested in drinking alcohol & I don't srink alcohol now.
I used to like eating chips (french fries), KFC & used to eat a bit of fried food. I haven't eaten KFC since Feb & stopped eating fried food in March because I thought it had something to do with some seizures that I had. I had fish & chips recently & I didn't think much of it LOL. I also used to eat sweet food & very rarely eat it now.
I eat more salads, fruit salads at lunch time now LOL.
 
Once every year or 2 I crave chips & dip. I used to buy the chips in a tube (Pringles?) & garlic dip & usually finish half the tube in one evening. I found though that the next day I would always have a seizure that was much stronger than my usual ones.

Of course I now resist that annual craving.
 
beer

I have recently gotten back to drinking beer. I have had a wopping total of six this year. I have not even touched the stuff previously, except for a little in college.
Originally, it was a financial thing. I couldn't afford it. But now, I am comfortable without it, and for rare, very special occassions, around a very select group of friends (whom I enjoy), I have one or two.:banana:
I try to avoid foods that I react negatively with.
As for OTC drugs, just supplements and whatever the doctor says I can have for pain (ibuprofen) sinus (Zyrtek) and that's it.
 
Does anybody know if antihistamines are seizure triggers? I was just given an RX for one and hesitate to take them.
 
Does anybody know if antihistamines are seizure triggers? I was just given an RX for one and hesitate to take them.

I strongly recommend that you consult
with either your Neurologist, Epileptologist,
or Primary Care Physician.

The Pharmacist may have knowledge pertaining
to this - TRUE - but ... he/she would not know
your seizure(s) background; your Doctors would.

Sorry that no one responded to your post and
it took so long for a reply.
 
I strongly recommend that you consult
with either your Neurologist, Epileptologist,
or Primary Care Physician.

The Pharmacist may have knowledge pertaining
to this - TRUE - but ... he/she would not know
your seizure(s) background; your Doctors would.

Sorry that no one responded to your post and
it took so long for a reply.
Well, I figured I was better off leaving one extra factor out of my medications. I did not take antihistamines a few weeks ago. Instead, I applied microwaved heating pads to my sinus area.
 
I can take them. Benedryl is ok. From a Dr.s point of view. My son can take it. And he has had lung problems.He is on meds for that to.
 
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