Successful No Medicines and All Natural Seizure Treatments?

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I think for a variety of reasons, this is pretty rare. Neurologists are not taught about a gut-brain connection -- they are taught about the meds. The exception might be places like the Johns Hopkins Center that helps folks use approaches like the ketogenic or Modified Atkins diets.

Nakamova thank you for the comments. It is what we are finding as well and it is troubling to say the least. Our wonder is how many people are there out in the world that have not been diagnosed properly or have been prescribed things for the very reasons your mention.

I know this is a journey but from the reading here there are many that are having a rough go at it and the medicines are not working and they seem to have no where else to turn but to these poorly trained and under informed neurologists.

My hope is that thru what we and others learn and a forum like this that many people can be helped and gain independence and freedom.....
 
I wish there were truly comprehensive Epilepsy Centers -- ones that combined the holistic approaches of the Andrews/Reiter center, dietary expertise of Johns Hopkins, along with neurofeedback practitioners and folks skilled in nutritional analysis and dietary practice.

When I was first diagnosed, my neurologist told me to make sure I got enough sleep, and to avoid stress, but she asked no questions about my diet or what I had been eating and drinking prior to the seizure. I don't know whether staying med-free and making radical changes to my diet would have prevented subsequent seizures, but I never got the chance to find out. I tried a few times to go med-free -- but with no plan and, ultimately, no success. I am currently seizure-free on Lamictal, but I hope to try neurofeedback when I can afford it, and eventually get the meds out of my system.
 
Nakamova - we are looking at the Neurofeedback in the future once he feels as though the supplements are at the optimum levels and things continue to be stable. Of course it may not be necessary at that time if all is good? Researching it now just to have the information in the toolkit if needed. Thanks agin for your comments and honesty. I hope you can once again try naturals to find your stable place..... Keep moving forward!!!
 
Hear Hear!!! Let's have more of our voices HEARD!

Problem is... most of us are sent on the path of conventional medical thinking before we wake up and realize that there absolutely is another way.

Bless the University of Google, and it will be a sad day if this is ever "regulated". You will know that Pharma will have had a role in it.
 
Thank You Robin!

Robin -

I have read all you information and want to thank you for recording your journey with your daughter. What great help and inspiration! I so agree that it is a shame that so many get directed down the wrong paths at the onset of their seizures by the big machine. I think we have also learned that we think the environmental's are what triggered his seizures or a least amplified the start of them. It is my thinking that many of the seizures that people experience are just that environmentally caused - MSG/Aspartame (excitoxins), lack of proper minerals and vitamins, poor sleep habits, hard partying or lifestyles (alcohol/drugs), and other things. I could go on but if one inventories their lives and really digs into it we all have things that do not belong and certainly not just because we enjoy them or they taste good or our friends are doing it. Our goal is to share our journey and what we learn in hopes of helping those that wish to learn - like we are. In the end each person must choose how they want to tackle the problem. I understand that there are some with issues much greater than the simple - brain injuries, etc.... but I would challenge them to explore and to challenge the system they are in. Take charge and stay in charge!!! Robin thank you for all you do!!! Keep shouting from the rooftops please!!!
 
I would challenge people with other medical issues to do the same. It is not just seizures but so many other things. The medical profession lost its way many, many years ago and doe snot now treat to cure but to merely control and to manage. The few that still believe in healing are not heard an dare pushed aside by the big boys - pharma and insurance companies. I have recently talked to newly graduated medical doctors about their med school training. Scary to say the least. They have little to no understanding of minerals and how important they are to the body. They have not a clue to know where to even begin to analysis. They operate from a checklist type mindset. Sorry if you do not agree but it is how we see the world from where we stand.....
 
Being in the medical field, I have a unique perspective. I work with many doctors all the time. I worked at Stanford for several years. Basically immersed in what you are talking about. From the standpoint of my friends ( the MDs ) not one in hundreds that I know actually would want to harm a patient. Two reasons really... they would lose their license or get sued, and they all have an intrinsic care and concern to actually help people. If you ask them all, I have done this, why they are a doctor they will say they" wanted to help people". Then some said " and the money isn't bad either". The life of a doctor is so strenuous. They don't have much quality family time and work many more hours than a normal worker and don't always get paid that much more. All that being said... today when I ask my friends if they would choose to be doctors again or if they encourage their children to be doctors... everyone has said "no". Their reasoning is that their "hands are tied". Lawsuits dictate their practice. Insurance companies dictate their practice. Malpractice insurance costs are skyrocketing and their school loan bills are too high. They can hardly afford to be doctors and give high quality care anymore. They too seem depleted. Bear in mind these are strictly OB doctors and family practice MDs. They still came to work everyday with a smile on their faces even at midnight or two am, and still gave the best care possible to our patients.

MDs have a " standard of care" that dictates what they must do to avoid lawsuit. I think the standard of care at this point for seizures is to medicate first and immediately. At least this is what my neurologist told me when I questioned her. As long as this is standard of care, then it will remain the first and foremost option for MDs whether they believe in it or not.

A side note. Most medical students did not take nutrition courses as part of their curriculum 15 years ago. I do not know if that has changed. Most MDs do not order supplements in the hospital if chem levels test out normal.

The system is indeed flawed!!!!!! I've been used by big business as an RN to promote products. Free advertising for those companies. Once I realized this, I stopped immediately . The system is also full of very caring loving medical professionals who are chained to the flawed aspects.

I have no answers other than, fight for your healthcare. Be smart advocates for yourselves. Look for healthy lifestyle choices. Diseases are stronger than ever, our environment is unhealthy, and we have to care for our bodies.
 
You all know, if you've read my posts, that my experience with my neurologist was atrocious at best. Therefore, as a fellow sufferer of seizures, and my experiences thus far with this branch of medicine has left me quite a bit irritated and half embarrassed to say I'm an RN. But I have pride in the job I did as a patient advocate. It is the main job of an RN. And if you hear me get upset on the forum its coming from that point of view. Advocating for what is right and for proper care. My heart goes out to you all and myself. This isn't much fun... but meeting you all has been a new chapter in my life that I cherish deeply. Who knows, maybe I'll stop delivering babies and become an informed caring neurological RN. I will forever be greatful for my friends at CWE and its founder Bernard.
 
Julie Wishes -

THank you for reinforcing and amplifying my points! Especially since you are on the "inside".... I do not blame the doctors or at least the bulk of them. I do believe that they decided to go into their profession with the idea of helping people and not fully understanding the restraints and constraints on them by Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and Big Hospital Management. Also thank you about your comments on nutrition training and use of supplements.

A side note. Most medical students did not take nutrition courses as part of their curriculum 15 years ago. I do not know if that has changed. Most MDs do not order supplements in the hospital if chem levels test out normal.

Thank you for your work and for your honesty! :)
 
It warms my heart to find others that think as I do. So difficult to walk this journey alone.
Thank you both for sharing your stories.

Julie - are you NoCA or SoCA ?
 
I would like to add that I believe all things extra could potentially be dangerous if in excess. Whether it be prescribed, supplemental, or natural. When I hear of all the supplementation my thoughts race to his poor kidneys and liver. I'm no expert, so I would like to know how you know this is all safe? RobinN, Forum members or Bernard ... do any of you have some info on this?

And it scares me to death hearing about seizures so bad you have to be resuscitated. After experiencing the ones I have, quite honestly, sometimes I think I'd take anything to never feel those feelings again. I have seizures where I'm fully conscious. Its awful! I hope I can make enough lifestyle changes to make them go away or be as infrequent as possible. But from what I was told by my MD they may very well increase in intensity and frequency if I don't take the medicine. I had such an adverse reaction, I quit the meds, but honestly don't feel right on them and don't feel right off them.

Here's to hoping the alternatives work :)
 
For most of the vitamins, the body absorbs what it needs and excretes the rest, so overdosing is rare. However, long-term effects of daily dosing at high amounts or in certain combinations haven't been well-studied until recently, and there is much that is still unknown. On new study, for instance, suggests that calcium supplements may increase the risk for heart attack. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health...um-supplements-bones-heart-attack/55174526/1] And taking too much zinc in nose-spray form can impair your sense of smell. http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20100719/study-links-zinc-nose-sprays-loss-smell] Vitamin C may have certain benefits, but it can also raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and if it's taken right before or after angioplasty it may interfere with healing.

This is just to say that an individual needs to proceed with caution when adding a supplement, and be aware that their individual health history should be taken into consideration. In addition,many supplements are absorbed best in combination with others, or at certain times of day, so it's important to be informed about optimal ways to take them. As an example, strontium can help with bone growth, but it must be taken at least 3 to 4 hours away from any foods or supplements containing calcium, since calcium will block its absorption and negate its effect.
 
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Julie - that is the way my daughter felt too, not good on, or off. Yet after trying four, I had read that the % of chance another would help diminished. We both agreed on a more natural approach - thus I began with nutrition. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

How do I know about supplemental amounts. I began with the minimum. I did years of research, reading what others had tried, made notes, kept a binder of information. Tried many on myself with positive results. Had blood work done after, and all are within range or still low.

Ever so slowly my daughter's seizures lessened. I believe it truly is a brain gut connection (unless there was an accident involved or birth issues, though even then... in my opinion it is worth trying nutritional changes to raise the seizure threshold and prevent other illness) For my daughter healing from the inside out, starting with gut health, has cleared up other medical issues along the way. It is all making sense to me. I have said many times but it is worth repeating... our approach was not a quick fix by any means. There were still seizures, but the frequency was slowing down, according to my notes.

What you have mentioned about conventional medicine, I have witnessed first hand. I have never meant to downplay the profession. Most do have their hands tied. However, when you are in the heat of it all... it becomes almost unbearable to deal with. thankfully we are in a good place now, not needing many doctors or tests at the moment, and with my journal and 7 yrs of knowledge we tend to be on the same page most days... or at least we can have an intelligent dialog.
 
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The stop breathing thing isn't something i've heard anyone mention but it seems that during alot of my seizures even the partials I stop breathing. It's like the part of my brain that tells my body to breath just clicks off. Often I don't notice til I start gasping. My husband is alwaysssss saying, "breath Eli, breath."

He says it happens during alot of my nocturnals. Go figure. :p
 
So scary. Thank goodness for your hubby.

Robin, I have to say that the new stuff I'm reading on gut brain info is incredible. Of major interest since I'm a lactation specialist. If you read about breast milk it completely goes along with your theories. Im a head injury case (hehe). But proper nutrition is still a passion of mine.
 
I am glad this topic came up. I noticed years ago that the msg and aspartame seemed to cause seizures. I'd never heard of red dye#40. I was telling mom about it this morning and we realized a few things.

There are precious few things I can and do eat. She said I was always a picky eater so I shrugged it off to that.

If I buy and try something and it causes me to not feel right I pawn it off on them. So I'm listing off food items I found online that contains red dye# 40 and she's saying remember those fruit popsicles that made you sick you gave us the rest, remember this, remember that....

My point being, I love and appreciate the wealth of knowledge and feedback we are able to give each other at cwe. Thank you all and huge hugs!
 
Wow... the body knows. Putting two and two together is a good feeling. I crave answers.

What's powerful to me is hearing stories like Robin and Monkey doing the diet as well and feeling better. I look at people's skin a lot. It says volumes about someones internal health.
 
Wow... the body knows. Putting two and two together is a good feeling. I crave answers.

What's powerful to me is hearing stories like Robin and Monkey doing the diet as well and feeling better. I look at people's skin a lot. It says volumes about someones internal health.

:agree: a bazillion times over. I'm glad that life settled down and that I decided to come hang out here.

Plus watching tv gives me headaches and I don't like all the ads during election years! :p
 
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