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Diet, Drugs, sleep... What is known to increase/decrease seizure activity?
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 03:56Hi there, I'm fairly new to this site, so you may have talked this issue to death already. If so, please point me to the conversation.
I've been living with "episodes" for over 20 years that last about 5-10 seconds where I cannot process speech (written, spoken, sung). I am aware of this and can continue to walk, chew gum, play drums, drive etc. I have had 3 gran mal seizures during those 20+ years. I'm currently on Carbitrol - 1200 mg/day.
Anyway, I've been trying to correlate an increase in episode activity with my diet, sleep cycles, etc. and cannot find any rhyme or reason for the periods of increase. I can go months without any activity, then go several days where they happen 10 times per day.
I gave up Diet Coke for a year and it made no measurable difference. I've almost thought I could correlate pizza with increased activity, but don't have enough data to back this up. I once thought broccoli triggered it too, but have since rejected this. During times of little sleep, I often do better than times where I get a lot of sleep. Like I said, no rhyme or reason. I've considered writing a detailed journal to be more scientific about this, but I'm way to busy for this...
I noticed on another thread that antihistimines can trigger seizure activity. I took a Claritin the day before yesterday and yesterday was really bad. Today I seem to be back to "normal" with no activity. I hardly ever take any drugs other than the Carbitrol, so this is only a side note.
Have any of you found a correlation between diet/exercise/sleep/whatever and increased/decreased seizure activity? I'd love to get some ideas for things to try.
Thanks,
Doug
Comments
Re: Diet, Drugs, sleep... What is known to increase/decrease....
Submitted by Gubs on Tue, 2010-03-23 - 14:29
What do you mean I don't 'want to risk' over the counter medicine? Is that an acknowledged risk?
What do you mean I don't 'want to risk' over the counter medicine? Is that an acknowledged risk?
Re: Diet, Drugs, sleep...What is known to affect seizures?
Submitted by Gubs on Tue, 2010-03-23 - 14:37
I agree with all your total confusion. I do know the woman who used Arts Council funding to try to have an epileptic fit to order, before an audience, in spite of depriving herself of sleep, flashing lights, doing everything she could to aggravate a seizure, failed to do so.
It sounds like you've surely ascertained that anti-histamines do bring on seizures. You're not going to get more exact data than that, not in your lifetime. And I think you're right to do your own research. There seems to be so much variation between individuals, and so much confusion, doubt and uncertainty in the medical profession, that it's the only way you're going to get any understanding.
I'm interested in what you say about sleeping. I only had my first fit last year (at 39); I've hardly dared set an alarm clock since then. Needless to say this badly affecting my working patterns. I'd be happy to hear sleep deprivation makes no difference to fits. I've been doing a little research on this site and others into sleep, and they seem to be of the view that sleep patterns are of more importance than number of hours.
I also, bizarrely, got a message from a friend who has nocturnal seizures only, who was warned against yoga because it dangerously replicates the body's sleep rhythms. It set me thinking that maybe I was wrong to totally cut out caffeine; maybe I need to maintain my morning cappuccino, create clear distinctions in my body's rhythms between night and day. Please see my Blog for further ramblings.
I agree with all your total confusion. I do know the woman who used Arts Council funding to try to have an epileptic fit to order, before an audience, in spite of depriving herself of sleep, flashing lights, doing everything she could to aggravate a seizure, failed to do so.
It sounds like you've surely ascertained that anti-histamines do bring on seizures. You're not going to get more exact data than that, not in your lifetime. And I think you're right to do your own research. There seems to be so much variation between individuals, and so much confusion, doubt and uncertainty in the medical profession, that it's the only way you're going to get any understanding.
I'm interested in what you say about sleeping. I only had my first fit last year (at 39); I've hardly dared set an alarm clock since then. Needless to say this badly affecting my working patterns. I'd be happy to hear sleep deprivation makes no difference to fits. I've been doing a little research on this site and others into sleep, and they seem to be of the view that sleep patterns are of more importance than number of hours.
I also, bizarrely, got a message from a friend who has nocturnal seizures only, who was warned against yoga because it dangerously replicates the body's sleep rhythms. It set me thinking that maybe I was wrong to totally cut out caffeine; maybe I need to maintain my morning cappuccino, create clear distinctions in my body's rhythms between night and day. Please see my Blog for further ramblings.
Re: Diet, Drugs, sleep... What is known to increase/decrease....
Submitted by teener on Thu, 2009-04-23 - 06:19
I think for some people seizures just happen out of the blue. For me, I have common triggers, lack of sleep, stress, caffeine and alcohol. I stay away from caffeinated beverages and do my best to drink as little as possible (I go to a lot of social events where it is basically required to drink wine) but I limit myself to one very small glass. I am on sleeping meds to get me to fall asleep, so waking up is hard, but I usually go to bed at 9 so i can wake up at 5. And stress is pretty hard to control, but I found that doing yoga/pilates really helps me unwind. Also if I feel stressed I write about it. That releases a lot of tension. I do not take over the counter medicine, even if I have a bad cold, because I don’t want to risk it. I know this probably doesn’t help, but this is what works for me.
All the best, Christine
I think for some people seizures just happen out of the blue. For me, I have common triggers, lack of sleep, stress, caffeine and alcohol. I stay away from caffeinated beverages and do my best to drink as little as possible (I go to a lot of social events where it is basically required to drink wine) but I limit myself to one very small glass. I am on sleeping meds to get me to fall asleep, so waking up is hard, but I usually go to bed at 9 so i can wake up at 5. And stress is pretty hard to control, but I found that doing yoga/pilates really helps me unwind. Also if I feel stressed I write about it. That releases a lot of tension. I do not take over the counter medicine, even if I have a bad cold, because I don’t want to risk it. I know this probably doesn’t help, but this is what works for me.
All the best, Christine