Triggers--how to classify these?

[McGill]

Bernard, I have experienced the following triggers first-hand, never having read any literature about them. Because I know myself & what causes my problems, I'm listing these with nearly 60 years of dealing with seizures. I'm NOT God nor an authority on anyone but myself. Therefore, there are no references as to the sources, other than "The University of Hard Knocks." Here they are:


1) Strobe Lights

2) Special effects lighting viewed in a movie theatre

3) Loud, harsh sounds

4) For some people (including me), the tone of their natural speaking voice

5) Excessive fatigue from exercise or physical work

6) Excessive heat R/T weather or my own internal metabolic core temperature

7) Emotion (shock, humiliation)

8 ) Sleep deprivation

9) Certain rich foods or too much grease (interacts with Valproic Acid)

10) Lack of proper nutrition

11) Stress

12) Financial duress

13) Lack of Rx (if health insurance is cut off. This has happened, seriously!)

14) Excessive use of alcohol (I will take a small sip of ceremonial wine in Church services but rarely at any other time.

(FTR, I've learned all of this first hand.)


If anyone else can add to these, please do so.

 

[Nakamova]

I would add to the list Circulation/Oxygenation issues --- standing up too soon, raising hands above the head, stretching. etc. have been triggers for me in the past.

 

[Meetz1064]

Hi there,

McGill. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post so that it would get some more exposure, and others could respond to you more personally.

Let's see if I can help you any.

#1 & #2 are tied to being photosensitive. You can get around this (at least somewhat) by wearing polarized sunglasses, and glasses that are tinted blue (you'll need to ask your eye doctor about this one).

#3 & #4 are probably triggers to a form of reflex E. There are people who seize just because they hear a particular type of music.

#7, #8, #11, #12 & #13 are all high stress triggers and that is a common trigger for any type of seizure. It's hard to control them but perhaps you can find a way to get around #8 by setting yourself a firm rule of getting at LEAST 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep per night.

Oh, shoot. I will finish this post later. I have to leave for work. I just realized what time it was!

 

[McGill]

Thanks, Meetz! I was being a bit descriptive b/c of the situations in which I found myself and for which I was uninformed. Efforts appreciated on your behalf, but please don't work too hard! :woot:

Re: # 8: this has ocurred when I've followed the rules about getting enough sleep. The issue here is when I'm awakened and can't get back to sleep. One prime example of this was when I was travelling this year: a lady in the dormitory room next to me was talking & snoring when she slept. Once I was awake I couldn't get back to sleep. This is what I'm referring toas "sleep deprivation". I have tried ear plugs but they haven't worked.

 

[Nakamova]

I'll see if I can carry on for Meetz:

#5 (exercise/work induced fatigue) is related to both #8 (lack of sleep), but also to #6 (overheating). Physical stress can alter body chemistry through dehydration and change in electrolyte balances (which also connects to #9 & #10 -- diet/nutrition issues). And #14 (alcohol) is also a diet/nutrition issue. Not only does alcohol interfere with the absorption of medication, but it also affects sleep, can cause dehydration, and alter overall body chemistry in terms of sugars and electrolytes.

McGill, you might want to check out the folks on this site who have used diet to help control or reduce seizures.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[McGill]

I'm well aware of work induced fatigue & its potential effects. For this reason I'll make certain that I get the extra rest I need.

One thing indirectly related is cold hydration. In the summer, if I'm out in the sun for any length of time, I'm a prime candidate for a seizure, given that the cause of the seizures was brought on by a fever @ 9 mos. of age. Consequently, proper hydration is something to which I'll pay attention. #'s 9 & 10 are primarily R/T #12.

 

[Molly97]

Here are some links you might find interesting:

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f26/exitotoxins-coping-670/

http://www.ilae-epilepsy.org/Visitors/Centre/ctf/reflex_seizures.cfm

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/music-auditory-stimulus-epileptic-brain-1386/

These links helped me put names to my triggers.

I am one of the ones here who has found diet (GARD) to be of great benefit.