Weird possible trigger?

[babylamb]

I am 18. I'm at that age where I'm stressed about my future and I go to school doing my A Levels. Also being sick (dystonia, scoliosis, epilepsy, tumours inside both ovaries and gallbladder problems!) put a lot of added stress and pressure on my school life. I feel like school sometimes can trigger a seizure. It could just be a coincidence that I've had some in school... But on 2 occaisions I have been in the school canteen it has been really busy there have been a ton of people, it's really loud and noisy, I feel kind of edgy and worked up then I start to feel weird getting very twitchy (really noticable facial twitches) and thats when I get out or get a friend to walk me out and I go on to have a seizure. Could the busy environment be a trigger? Is that heard of? I don't really want to avoid the canteen because it has only ever happened twice in there and thats hardly anything compared to how often I am in there and all my friends sit in there every lunch time and if I feel dodgy I always get myself somewhere safe... Can anybody relate to this? I know it's kind of strange, I guess crowds and loud noises stress me out a little 8)

 

[Nakamova]

It seems like just about anything can potentially be a seizure trigger. Environmental triggers often play a role in "startle epilepsies" -- ones where a sudden sound, smell, touch, or change in visual field can trigger a seizure. Schools can definitely have a lot of noise, as well as fluorescent lighting -- another big trigger.

Just out of curiosity, do you take a magnesium supplement? Folks with gallbladder problems often run low on magnesium -- and low magnesium can make you more vulnerable to twitches and other kinds of muscle tension.

 

[babylamb]

No I don't take a magnesium supplement... I didn't know I had anything wrong with my gallbladder until a few weeks ago! I'm only 18 so it's a bit weird... My brain doesn't produce dopamine properly (due to dopa-responsive dystonia) so thats a muscle problem but the magnesium thing is interesting!

 

[arnie]

Hello. Sorry to hear that you are having problems. I'm not sure if this is supported in the literature, but I think that those of use with E can be more sensitive than normal to all sorts of external stimuli, including crowds, smells, flickering lights, noises, etc. It seems that the school canteen could have all of those things which, added to the underlying stress of being in school, could trigger a sz.
If you don't already do it, I would suggest keeping a record of the times you have szs or auras, and what you were doing or where you were, to see if you can find some sort of pattern. I did that for several years after being diagnosed (that was about 30 years ago) and never really found much of a connection to anything, but I do try to avoind situations that make me feel edgy. Best of luck to you!

 

[AMCB]

new encourager

being new to the seizure experience, everything seems strange to me so having to be very aware of triggers. and YES, crowds and feeling overwhelmed are big ones. others that seem strange is cold weather and allergies. I was an allied health instructor and very sociable and involved at church,so now even going to church and having members excited to see me sometimes feels like being invaded. My seizures are a acquired due to 2 massive strokes at the age of 45 and for the first time in my adult life I am unable to work although
I did return to work after both strokes but the seizures got the last word probably more due to the fact
I was uninformed.So very glad to have stumbled onto this site today since it is cold for the weekend and
I[m stuck insid.
I hope to keep up with the posts and gain insight from those of you who may be more experienced.

I have just recently started neurophych counseling and seems to be helping my family understand the changes we are adjusting to. please excuse any typos,woring one handed these days. still paralyzed left arm yet believing for restoration.

Best of life to you all... Live it well every day!!!!

 

[i love to run]

Sensory issues can absolutely trigger seizures. My son has had one seizure an one aura triggered by incense in church!

 

[RunningGirl85]

According to my neurologist, anything can be a trigger. Sometimes lots of noise. Usually a random location (I've had a some of my strongest partials on the edge of my bed. A certain image also triggers seizure activity for me. So yes- I think any type of sensory area can be a trigger.


Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MuayThaiFighter]

I no certain places can be triggers for me. Highschool was a big one, at that time I was having simple partials, so I would ride them out in the bathroom. Then when I didn't feel as odd I'd go to class. It was really stressful. I attribute it to the stress of school, keeping up with those advanced classes is tough! So you aren't alone there.

Also the lights bothered me, my school wasn't really lit up but certain places would bring on auras. Plus all the noise and movement seemed to make me off balance and yet again trigger auras. If anything, try find way to de-stress in regards to the school work.

Shopping malls always get me as well. Just hope things start getting easier for you.