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Possible seizure triggers

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A possible ‘seizure trigger’ is something which can make you more likely to have a seizure, particularly if you already have a tendency to have seizures. The term ‘seizure trigger’ does not mean something that could cause you to develop epilepsy in the first place.

  

Information about the causes of epilepsy

Everyone is born with a ‘seizure threshold’. If you have a high seizure threshold, it means that you are less likely to have seizures than someone with a low seizure threshold.

Epilepsy affects each person differently. The following is just a guide to some common seizure triggers. You may not feel that you have any particular seizure triggers. Or you may feel you have triggers which are not mentioned here. You may wish to discuss this with your doctor or epilepsy specialist. Keeping a seizure diary can be a good way of identifying possible seizure triggers.

  

Alcohol and recreational drugs

Excess alcohol or binge drinking can trigger seizures, even if you do not have epilepsy. Taking certain recreational drugs, for example cocaine, can also make you more likely to have a seizure.

  

Late nights & lack of sleep

Late nights, going without sleep and irregular sleep patterns can be possible seizure triggers.

  

Stress

You might find that you have more seizures during or after periods of anxiety or stress.

  

Missing doses of anti-epileptic medication

If you miss a dose of your anti-epileptic drugs, or take them later than usual, this may trigger a seizure.

  

Flickering or flashing light

If you have photosensitive epilepsy, certain types of flickering or flashing light may be a seizure trigger for you.

Fewer than one in 20 people with epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy, so for most people with epilepsy, flickering or flashing lights are not a seizure trigger.

  

Illness

Having a high temperature (fever) can sometimes trigger seizures in young children if they are ill. This is less likely in adults, although generally being unwell can reduce your seizure threshold, and make you more likely to have a seizure.

  

Hormones

For some women, certain hormones seem to trigger seizures at particular times in their menstrual cycle. This is known as catamenial epilepsy.

If you are going through the menopause, you may find that the hormonal changes at this time may make you more likely to have seizures, (although for some women, seizures will not be affected or may become less frequent).

  

Food/fasting

There is no evidence to suggest certain foods can trigger seizures. Diet is not generally thought to have an effect on seizure control. Missing meals or fasting, however, can make someone more likely to have a seizure.

There are various situations in which someone may want to fast, be it for health or religious reasons. You will need to be aware of the risk of having seizures if you decide to fast.

  

Certain medications and supplements

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can make you more likely to have a seizure, if you have epilepsy or a history of seizures. For example, anti-depressants and antihistamines can be possible seizure triggers.

Certain supplements, for example evening primrose oil, can also be possible seizure triggers.

It is always important to seek medical advice before starting any kind of treatment. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist to check if there are any cautions for people with epilepsy taking the medication or supplement.

  

December 2008


We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
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Comments

The intake of Vitamin B6 supplements especially Cod Liver Oil, should be carefully monitored. This oil prevents anticonvulsant medication amongst others, including beta blockers, from being absorbed properly. Taking the two at around the same time led to a four fold increase in my seizures.

Submitted by SHARON DAVIS on 8 July, 2008 - 07:07.

Could being among crowds of people be a possible trigger of epileptic seizures?

Submitted by Aaron on 1 August, 2008 - 06:31.

Yes it can certainly be a trigger. Sometimes too much sensory input can trigger seizures e.g.
Loud noises, certain types of music and wot not. Anyway i hope that has been some help to you.
All the best...
Lov Soph xxxx

Submitted by sophia_hill on 1 October, 2008 - 07:18.

I read somewhere a while back that it is VERY rare but possible for seizures to be triggered by certain types of music or songs.

Submitted by Amanda on 1 October, 2008 - 17:07.

I was diagnosed with tonic clonic epilepsy 20 years ago when i was 13. I initially was diagnosed as having complex partial seizures which then progressed into tonic clonic. I am fully aware of what to expect when i feel an aura and prepare myself for my seizure but recently i have experienced (for the 2nd time) a strange sensation, which i assume is some 'sort of fit'. I am fully conscious but i become extremely dizzy, limp legs and balance and my vision due to the dizziness is affected (everything seems to be 'swaying')!
I have read up on atonic seizures, which explained how the body becomes limp but, whereas they last a matter of seconds, my experience lasted a few hours, it finally settled down after taking clobazam.
Does anybody have any idea or experienced anything similar as to what this is??

Submitted by Tracey on 17 November, 2008 - 19:30.

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy at age 17, my seizures were while I was awake at first. I was prescribed Keppra, the dose has been increased 2 times in the five or six years. The doctor told me that I was probably having seizures in my sleep now after I described 2 occurances to him where I had woken up very late in the afternoon, with bite marks on my tongue. I had no recollection of what had happened at all that day. I was also very sore. My medication dosage was just increased less than a month ago, however this last weekend I woke up on the floor of my room, laying in water from the glass I landed on after falling out of my bed.(plastic cup good thing too, I destroyed it). I again had the bite marks on my tongue, I am extremely sore, and I have a goose-egg and what looks like rug burn on my forehead. I broke blood vessels in and under my eyes. If there was any doubt what was happening I don't think there is anymore. I was wondering though, I heard someone say something about B Vitamin supplements, I take one. I also take an antihistamine pretty regulary, though my sleep sezuires have only been occuring since May of 2008. I want to know what is happening here, my epilepsy was under control for so long, now its not. It makes no sense whatsoever. Anyone have any insight or gone through the same or similar thing?

Submitted by Erin on 1 December, 2008 - 19:42.

What about being hit in the head? Could that trigger a possible seizure?

Submitted by Tom Cooper on 16 December, 2008 - 10:21.

Being hit on the head could trigger seizures in three different ways.

For someone who has a severe head injury (usually involving loss of consciousness) a head injury could cause a person to develop epilepsy. For a person with a low seizure threshold already, a less severe head injury could trigger seizures. The third way would be for the stress of a head injury to trigger seizures in someone who already had a low seizure threshold.

Mark @ Epilepsy Action

Submitted by Mark@Epilepsy Action on 23 December, 2008 - 17:20.

Hi, My names Amee im 18.
I became epoleptic 4 years ago and at first it was just at night not often at all. then about 6 months ago to a year ago i started having them dring the day and awake about once a week. then about 2-3 months ago i started having them during the night awake when id wake up or right when id get up or late at night all awake every day sometimes multiple times a day. and they put me one now 2 kinda of meds after upping the first kind of meds i was taking the first time about 4 times. Now i dont even have the normal full out attacks. its just the awake ones. which in my opion is way worse because im awake for it, Id rather be alseep and not rember anything. when im awake its like watching myslef in a movie but theres nothing I can do to stop it. and the worst part is I can always feel it comming on, and its scary.

Submitted by Amee on 9 January, 2009 - 04:55.

My mum has recently been diagnosed with TLE. I had been having a similar experience to my mum a few years ago from being about 12/13. Getting strange de ja vous, rushing thoughts, strange memories from dreams i had experienced and a kind of sick feeling. When i was 21 they increased in frequency and my doctor sent me for an EEG. The test came back negative and my doctors put it down to panic attacks as i was going through depression, paranoia & anxiety at the time. These strange episodes stopped just before i was 22 and have just started again recently (4 years later). My question is three fold...
1. Can TLE be hereditary?
2. Can you have several years between attacks/seizures?
3. If this is left untreated can it cause any permanent, severe and negative effects on my brain? and how would these manifest themselves?

Also i just wanted to add these mostly seem to occur just after i have got into the shower. I don't know if it related to blood pressure or something? Is this a common observation in this condition?

Submitted by claire on 9 January, 2009 - 11:37.

Hi,

Have you conisidered anxiety? I have suffered in the past, but never had an immediate 'attack' like you often read about. My symtoms were very similar to how you described, and wondered if I was just unwell initially (dizzy, feeling sick, suddenly no energy to stand, almost as if I was going to faint etc). Sometimes it would take me a couple of days rest to fully feel myself again. It was only thorugh repetition and identifying the triggers and the signs did I put two and two together. It may be an avenue to explore a little further....

Submitted by Amanda on 21 January, 2009 - 15:47.

Claire,

I don't have answers to your questions, but I do have similar symptoms. I was recently diagnosed with TLE and have de ja vous with random thoughts (often memories of dreams I've had). I also get a sick sensation (rising nausea) in my stomach. The most interesting thing, is that I too tend to have episodes while in the shower or shortly after getting out. I have recognized this as a trigger of mine and I have noticed that it tends to happen when I let the water get really hot. As for the reccurance of your symptoms after a few years, have anything changed in your life recently? There are certain things that can increase seizure frequency (changes in sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, medications (including birth control), alcohol use) that may explain the increased frequency of episodes.

Megan,

P.S. It took me a while to convince my doctors that what I was experiencing was real as my EEGs have also come back negative. All I can say is if your doctors don't believe you, seek another opinion.

Submitted by Megan on 28 January, 2009 - 23:08.

Erin,

You mentioned that you take an antihistamine regularly.Taking antihistamines can actually trigger seizures in some people. You may want to discuss with your doctor if there is something else you can take other than antihistamines.

Megan

Submitted by Megan on 30 January, 2009 - 04:11.

Ive noticed that Seizures can start when you get up in the morning and have a shower, but always after a shower never before.

I get a weird feeling and quickly get to my bed.

Can the shower be the trigger ? this has twice happened to me now.

Before i get in the shower I take my meds, i thought them taking effect at the same time may have had some links

Submitted by Pete on 3 February, 2009 - 13:54.

Hi,
I have had epilepsy for around ten years now. I was perscribed depokote to control the seziures. I haven't had a seziure in about five to six years. I wasn't agreeing with my doctor so about a year ago I started tampering off the meds. Its been about six mounths sents I have taking my depokote. The questions I have is about my triggers I still get. The trigger feels like my hole left arm and leg stiffin up uncontrolably. Is this a Common trigger? Will anxity cause this to happen? Im trying to get some good awnsers cause Im talking to a new doctor that wants me to try a new medication and get another eeg. Whats some good advise?

Thanks, Matt

Submitted by Matt Underwood on 9 February, 2009 - 22:47.

Hi All,

My boyfriend has eplilepsy and was diagnosed 4 years ago he has twitching and feels like he is 'spacing out' he finds that hard to describe but after these episodes he is left extreamly tired and usual needs a sleep is there anything that can help bring him out of these episodes or stop them before they begin I want to help him best I can he hasnt had a 'fit' since he was first diagnosed he has reduced his keppra and his tetrad i thnk it is called does the vitamin b help or any other vitamins or minerals

Thanks lou

Submitted by Louise Trezise on 11 February, 2009 - 13:37.

I think I have had that experience before but it only lasts for about a few seconds. My whole vision is blurred though and I know what is going on around me but I have to stand still or I feel like I will fall over. I have this sound in my head too...like a vibrating sound. As if my head is shaking. It's really hard to explain but that is as best as I can. Does the sound happen to you as well? I have auras...but they are not like that.

Submitted by Megan on 27 February, 2009 - 00:43.

Can a seizure be triggered by temperature changes either really cold or really hot? I have a child that seems to be affected by the change in temperature.

Submitted by sam on 1 March, 2009 - 20:45.

I had a head injury 7 1/2 years ago and I delevoped epilepsy after and some (not all) of my friends at my support group also have but it really depends on the person just because someone has a head injury does mean they will delevop eilepsy.

Emma x

Submitted by Emma on 12 March, 2009 - 10:29.

I had an epileptic convulsion, quite bad, for the first and so far only time in February this year at the age of 67. The only long term condition I have is heart arrythmia which is brought on by drinking too much coffee. (Its not a serious condition in itself.) When I had this seizure it was immediately after drinking a very strong coffee at a motorway service station. I had drunk another coffee two or so hours previously with breakfast at an hotel.
I felt myself start to shake a little, a symptom of arrythmia, and asked my wife to fill the car with fuel whilst I stayed in the cafe. Usually, I would have expected these "arrythmia" symptoms to subside after I had sat in the passenger seat for ten to fifteen minutes.
What actually happened, though I do not have any memory of it, is that I walked out on to the forecourt where my wife could see I was shaking and could not see her. She came and held me but I fell to the ground in a massive convulsion where I severely chewed my tongue.
Although my GP and the doctors at the hospital I was taken to disagree, my wife and I think the seizure was triggered by caffeine which I now avoid. Is there any evidence to support this?

Submitted by David on 13 March, 2009 - 18:11.

Whilst comments have been made regarding foods not triggering epillepsy, what about some chemicals (acetaldehyde In particular)? Knowing triggers for seizures include red wines (high in aldehydes) and that some light beers (partially fermented, producing acetaldehyde). Acetaldehyde can also form in the brain if there is insufficient oxygen to fully oxidise the carbohydrates. There are a number of other foods with oils or cheeses I have some questions over from personal experience. It is interesting that one type of anti-epilleptic drug is levitriacetam (in a similar group to acetaldehyde).

Submitted by j clark on 29 March, 2009 - 11:16.

My name is Paul, I am 40 and have startle epilepsy. Toward evening, I become very uncomfortable about unexpected noises such as a loud bang, the phone ringing or other such noises. I cannot have a phone near me and have to make sure there is no door bell or mobile phone around me in the evenings. During the morning and daytime I am generally ok, its just evening. I take 1000mg Tegretol, but this doesnt seem to help with the shock bringing on auras despite an increase in dose. Does anyone know of helpful treatment for this type of epilepsy.

Thanks,

Paul

Submitted by Paul on 1 April, 2009 - 18:54.

In August 2001 I had a seizure which I and some doctors believed to be caused by excess caffiene consumption. I avoided excessive caffiene use since. All was fine until this Saturday just gone, when I had a seizure in the middle of Leeds. While I had drunk some coffee shortly before, it was my frist of the day and I had also consumed plenty of food and water. As a result, I'm now wondering if my initial diagnosis was also wrong...

That probably doesn't help....but thought I'd share anyhow...

Submitted by Kevin CW on 6 April, 2009 - 10:47.

I am 20 and I was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 14. I have probably had 10-12 grand mal seizures. My first seizure occurred immediately after I took a hot shower. I do not remember what happened directly before the seizure, but I had a sense of "lost time", as if there were a few minutes where I blacked out. I woke up on the bathroom floor disoriented, I couldn't walk, my head was throbbing and I had a hard time remembering simple things. It had never happened before and I was alone, so I assumed I had just fainted; it never occurred to me that I had a seizure. Two months later I went to Utah for a snowboarding trip with my best friend and her family. My friend and I went into a jacuzzi and minutes after I got out I seized for a good five minutes. I couldn't remember my name, I was incredibly disoriented and terribly frightened. It was also very embarrassing for me because it was the first time that someone had witnessed me seize and I felt like epilepsy made me different from everyone else. I was immediately put on Lamictal, which kept me seizure free for almost a year.

However, I had several seizures during my later teenage years while I was medicated, and it turned out to be related to the birth control pills that I was simultaneously taking. I had no idea that birth control pills can decrease the effectiveness of anti-convulsants by up to 50%, so for women on birth control with epilepsy--this is very important information to know. Unfortunately I had a very incompetent neurologist at the time who did not give me all the facts. Once I got off birth control I was seizure free for almost two years.

In the last year I have had 4 seizures, which I am very concerned about. I know generally what have been triggers: sleep deprivation, stress, high altitudes, temperature changes and missing my doses. Almost all of my seizures have happened directly after I got out of the shower or a hot tub. Last year I had a seizure while I was using a hairdryer (after a shower) and had severe burns on my arms. My last seizure was two weeks ago and it may have been due to the fact that I had just been on an airplane, but ultimately, epilepsy is a mystery and you never know for sure what causes seizures. For me, getting adequate sleep every night and taking my meds at regular intervals is key. I hope this has been helpful. It's really nice to hear from others with epilepsy because it can be a very stigmatizing and isolating disorder.

I do have a question for those who have had seizures. When I am seizing I see visions and images, kind of like a dream--sometimes I am looking at myself seizing. It's almost an out-of-body experience. It's very strange and hard to explain to non-epileptics but I have never had the opportunity to ask other epileptics if they had a similar experience. Thoughts?

Submitted by Kate on 8 April, 2009 - 10:23.

HI MY NAME IS JENNIFER AND I AM 24 YEARS OLD... I HAD A SEIZURE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE ONE NIGHT AGO... I WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND SMOKE A CIGARETTE... I GOT UP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND WAS VERY OUT OF IT MY BODY JUST FELT LIKE I WAS SWAYING ALL OVER THE PLACE... I SAT ON THE TOILET AND MUST OF FALLEN OVER (SORRY FOR THE PERSONAL INFO) I WOKE UP LOOKING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRYER AND THOUGHT I CANT BE THAT TIRED THAT I LAYED ON THE FLOOR?????.. I THAN GOT UP AND TRIED TO WALK TO THE LIVINGROOM TO MY BOYFRIEND WHO LATER TOLD ME THAT I LEANED AGAINST THE WALL TO GET DOWN THE HALLWAY.. I SAT DOWN NEXT TO HIM AND SAID MAKE ME BETTER HELP ME (I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF) AND THAN HE SAID I FELL TOWARD HIM AND WAS SHAKING.. HE THAN PUT ME DOWN ON THE COUCH AND GOT HIS ROOMATE... HE SAID MY ENTIRE BODY WAS CONVULGING AND MY ARMS WERE SO STIFF.... HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO .... I WOKE UP TO HIS ROOMATE SAYING MY NAME.... I HEARD MY NAME... BUT IT WAS THE WEIRDEST FEELING IN WHICH I HEARD IT... LIKE IN A DREAM... I JUST ASKED WHAT HAPPENED.... AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES... I FELT BETTER. THE NASEAU AND THE RUSH IN MY STOMACH IN WHICH I FIRST FELT WHEN I WOKE UP WAS GONE..... I AM SCARED... I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS... AND I AM AFRAID TO GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.. (IT HAPPEN AT 3:00 IN THEMORNING WHEN I WOKE UP) IM GOING TO THE DOCTORS TOMORROW... BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO....

Submitted by JENNIFER on 9 June, 2009 - 16:42.

Hi, I just wanted some advice really. I read a comment that you left back in November and could really relate to it. On Wednesday night I was sat having my tea and my eyes suddenly became very tired. When I was blinking they felt as is they were unable to focus. This quickly turned into my vision being very distorted. It was as if my eyeballs were vibrating from side to side. Everything in the room appeared brighter and it was as if my pupils were enlarged because I felt as if I could see more of the room. I tried to get out of my chair but felt like I was sinking back into the chair at speed. This all happened very quickly. After this I was unable to move any of my body, I still had the feeling of falling and a extreme feeling of sickness. I also felt completely petrified. I was very aware of my surroundings but was unable to move. Luckily my boyfriend was with me and although did not know my symptoms he was able to put his perspective on things. I apparently went extremely pale and was trembleing. He was talking to me but I was unable to answer. This seemed to go on for hours but e told me it was about 20 mins from saying my vision was strange to actually being able to move again. When I did get to the stage where I could talk every time I started a sentence I was unable to finish it as I felt as if it wasnt me speaking (I know I sound mad), My boyf confirmed that it took a while for me to actually start making sense. I decided to try and get some fresh air. I live in a second floor apartment. Walking down the corridor I felt as if I was in a dream but I was unable to walk in a straight line, my boyfriend said I looked as if I was extremely drunk. When I got to the top of the stairs It was as if I didnt know how to get down the stairs. It took alot of concentration and support.

Whilst outside I still felt as though I wasnt making sense and as if I was in a dream. Then I began twitching in my arms and my legs, I was as if I was shivering but more severe and I could not control it. I managed to get back upstairs and laid down.
I apparently fell asleep for about half an hour although I didnt think I had. During this time my boyfriend said I was constantly stretching my arms and legs until they would shake ad the I would put them down. I was aware of doing this but was unable to stop myself from doing it.

I then went to bed and was out for the count the whole night although I was apparently still jumping/twitching all night.

The next morning I still felt as though my vision was not right and when I was talking, sometimes I would mix my sentences up or not make sense. I had to really concentrate on what I was about to say. I managed to get a drs appointment and as soon as I walked into his room I burst into tears, Mainly because I was scared but also because I felt like I was going mad. He has referred me to a neurologist for a scan which will take 6 - 12 weeks to come through and has told me I am not allowed to drive either. It is now 2 days after the fit and I still feel completely drained although I have slept well.

When I have looked at this site I feel like my symptoms fit into every single type of seizure. The only thing that doesnt fit was the length of time. All the usual seizures seem to last a few mins. My paralysis seemed to last about twenty mins and then the rest of the symptoms lasted about an hour until I feel asleep.

Im very confused about the whole thing and very scared too. Any help would be gratefully received.

I obviously am not myself still, I just copied and pasted this in word and couldnt believe the amount of spelling mistakes.....seeing as though Im a teacher that is out of character!!

Submitted by Mel on 19 June, 2009 - 11:14.

Hello Paul,

I'm 43 and have had epilepsy all my life.... I too am on Tegretol along with Topiramote and Clobazam. I find noises drive me up the wall if they are of a constant nature such as ticking clocks, unfortunately, if my husband's snoring or breathing heavily. This tends to bring on one of my auras, but only when I am trying to sleep. My epilepsy is under control and I am able to drive, but it's on a night when I need complete silence or else I am driven to distraction by repetitive noise.

Submitted by Octavia Gausden on 19 June, 2009 - 11:45.

I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy when i was 13 and i am now 23. After having a seizure today i am feeling really sorry for myself! I was catering at a very hectic party and i started to get stressed, this led to me having a judder which in turn made me more anxious and then i had a seizure in full view of a lot of people!! Does anyone else experience these "judders"? i am going to have to go to the docs to get medication revised as i have had 4 in a short space of time and had gone for over 18months without anything. I have a hen party booked in leeds in a couple of weeks and i am already starting to get anxious about lack of sleep - i dont drink to avoid this trigger but you cant always gaurentee a good nights sleep!!

Submitted by Sarah on 4 July, 2009 - 20:06.

Constipation can be a trigger, as I've discoverd....all good fun eh?

Submitted by Fiona Lancaster on 16 July, 2009 - 19:30.

hi ,
my names nicola and back in march 2007 my brother simon aged 27 was taken ill with tubercolousis (tb) of the lungs which traveld 2 the spine which left him with no movement in the right side of his body! it also traveld 2 his brain which left his severely brain damaged !! due to my brothers illness he now suffers from epilepsy !! atm hes in a hospital that specialises in brain injurys but me an my family hope 2 have him home soon !! he has 2 young daughters 12 & 7 which would like 2 no mre about epilepsy and so would i!! so all comments would help thanks x x

Submitted by nicola miller on 26 August, 2009 - 18:12.

hi
yes i have been experiancing these types of attacks for 20 years and have just had an eeg and mri scan still waiting for results. how did you get on? i had an attack as i was having the eeg hopefully this will shed some light on what is wrong.i understand what you mean about being confused for days after i usually feel really sick before hand ,then go dizzy, then my eyesight is affected and i'm unable to move or speak. my husband informed me my pupils were inlarged and my tongue swells up.

Submitted by michaela on 3 October, 2009 - 12:24.

oh my. thank you for posting comments on other possible triggers... my new boyfriend is epileptic and i don't want to accidentally hurt him! .. or on purpose if that matter lol i just want him to be the safest he can be :) xxx thank you all xxx LoveYou xxx

Submitted by Kara on 22 October, 2009 - 21:03.

I'm undergoing tests at the moment with suspected TLE, this started when I used a perfectly legal gym supplment which is available over the counter to give me a 'kick' just before I go to the gym.

I was having 2 or 3 very mile seizures a month, which was the de ja vu and the sick feeling in my stomach. Until I had a bad one that put me on the floor. I recovered within 5 minutes (as I always have done).

It's been six weeks now since the bad seizure that put me down, I've not taken any of the gym supplements and feel fine.

I'm having my sleep EEG tomorrow, my first EEG came back inconclusive, my specialist says this is not unusual as sometimes you get false positives and sometimes you get false negatives.

I haven't driven since but haven't surrendered my licence due to conflicting views. My consultant and Doctor say it's down the DVLA to tell me how long to stay off the road for and the DVLA say they take their advice from my consultant and Doctor. The buck passing is really bringing me down.

I'm sure these seizures are provoked, they happened when I first took the supplement and have stopped now I have stopped using it.

The worst feeling in the world is that I've done this to myself - and wrecked my life. =(

Submitted by Dan on 12 November, 2009 - 22:25.

I have 4 types of epilepsy now--and I've had the grand mals (tonic clonics) for 45 years. When I started cutting out wheat and dairy from my diet, there were was such a dramatic decrease in the number of seizures, the only thing it could be attributed to was my diet! Nothing else changed! Now, my I have gone from using the GARD diet to becoming a full-fledged celiac, but the diet isn't really that different.

Perhaps it's something for others to seriously consider.........

Submitted by Meetz1064 on 15 November, 2009 - 06:18.

I work with a woman who is epileptic. Some things that trigger her seizures are cheese (mainly processed), preservatives, pre-packed foods, and high proteins (such as peanuts or very lean meats).
Hope that helps for some of you.

Submitted by Nikki Funk on 25 November, 2009 - 03:50.

Hi matt,
I hope to hear a reply from you, I've had seizures since I was 11 or so, and I was taken off my medication over a year ago at 17, and I too get those triggers, my arms and legs stiffen up uncontrollably too but I never knew how to explain that to someone, and sometimes my vision is blurred for a few seconds as well. I tried telling my doctor about a month after he took me off the pills and he told me how I was feeling was normal, that it was just my bodies response to no longer being on the pills. I have not seen my doctor in almost a year now, and I've been thinking of talking to him and possibily getting a current eeg. If it helps i took tegretol when i was on medication, maybe ask ur dr. if that would be right for you.?

Submitted by mandy on 5 December, 2009 - 22:14.

Hello Dan:

We had our son on adderall for adhd for three months and he developed epilepsy. I wouldn't worry to much about the past and why or how you did this to yourself. I felt this way about what I might have done to my six year old. I can't beat myself up about it because i'm past that now. I have to deal with what I have. I am trying to help him the best that I can. He does not take anything for adhd because we feel this was a misdiagnosis anyway. We have to concentrate on the seizures. Meds and a change of diet have helped trememdously. I am glad you don't take that supplement any more. I wish you continued good health.

Submitted by neil on 11 January, 2010 - 17:27.

I am glad that a change in diet has reduced the number of seizures. I am convinced that diet has everything to do with my sons epilepsy. All of his doctors and I do mean all of them say that diet has nothing to do with it. I have cut out sodas, mcdonalds, burgerking, whole milk, white flour, white bread, candy, sugar (white granular) foods with red, blue, yellow and all other dyes. I give him a multivitamin every day. Organic milk, a magnesium and zinc supplement once or twice a week. His seizures used to occur daily and for long durations of time, now maybe once or twice every three or four days and they never last more than 15 seconds. Usually no more than 5 seconds. His recuperation time has also improved, he now comes out of it and is back to "normal" within seconds. I have seen diet make a great improvement in his condition. He is on lamictal also. That seems to help. I also give him one (1) milligram of clonozapam at night to help him sleep. He used to have most of his multiple seizures at night.

I have recently learned this is quite normal. While the brain is active and engaged during the day, he has less seizures. While the brain is free to roam at night is when it causes the most trouble. He hasn't had an episode at night since starting the new medication. What a wonderful feeling it is to watch him sleep peacefully. He used to move around quite a bit and he would wake up suddenly, have a short seizure and lay back down. This would happen as many as six to ten times a night if not more. He wasn't getting proper rest. Now he wakes up rested. His behaviors in school have improved as well as at home. I wish you continued good health and many less seizures.

Submitted by Neil on 11 January, 2010 - 17:48.