Epilepsy

CDC funded page

Not a CDC funded Page

I am 33 years old an just had my first siezure ( grand mal ) I'm posting this for ease of mind I guess an to see if anyone has had a similar situation. It happened to me at work at about 8 am the hospital I went to told me it was due to alcohol withdraw. My m.r.i came back normal. The night before my siezure I drank about 12 to 15 6% alcohol beers. I had lots stress from the job I do ,I got only 3 to 4 hrs of sleep woke up alittle later than normal rushed to work an barely at work for an hour and next thing I know I'm waking up in a ambulance being told I just had 2 siezures. I haven't touched alcohol since an have the neccessary eeg appointments made. Everything I read has pointed to way too much alcohol an stress mixed with a lack of sleep. Makes sense to me. Has anyone had similar episodes?

Comments

Hi Matthew. Thank you for

Submitted by birdman on Fri, 2020-04-10 - 22:06

Hi Matthew. Thank you for sharing your experience. I have had epilepsy all my life and never drank alcoholic beverages. But I can relate to having seizures from drug withdrawal. I've been on many anti-seizure medications through my life. Doctors who prescribe these know when a patient discontinues a medication that it is critical to it slowly or "taper off" the medications. Since Alcohol is a drug that effects neurochemistry (the brains chemicals) it seems very likely that the seizure could be the result of alcohol withdrawal. Most of us with epilepsy also have more seizures when under stress and also with sleep deprivation. These things used to be a bigger factor for me but surgeries and medications have helped reduce the impact of stress. I also live a less stressful life than I once did when I was in school or pondering career options. The good news is that if this is your first seizure and it did not occur as a result of illness or and accident I'll bet it is likely that you will get it under control if you stay away from the alcohol and try to reduce the stress and get more sleep. Up to 30% of us do not get control no matter how careful we are, but your case sounds promising. Mike

Hi,Thank you for posting, we

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2020-04-13 - 08:58

Hi,Thank you for posting, we understand this must have been very confusing and upsetting for you to experience. When alcohol is stopped suddenly or is reduced by large amounts over a short period of time, a seizure may occur. “Withdrawal” seizures may occur 6 to 72 hours later, after drinking has stopped. This can happen in people with or without epilepsy. The withdrawal seizures are provoked by the alcohol withdrawal and are not due to epilepsy itself. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/alcohol . We are glad to hear that you have not consumed any alcohol and have schedule an appointment for additional diagnostic testing with your healthcare team, who can help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for you. As Michael shared in his comment, for some people living with epilepsy, stress & lack of or poor quality of sleep are among some of the most commonly reported triggers. If you're having difficulties manage stress or getting enough sleep, it's important that you’re discussing these challenges with your healthcare team as well. For additional stress management technique & tips to help you practice healthy bedtime routine, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living . It may be helpful to keep a journal or a diary to help keep track of your seizures & triggers.This can help you and your healthcare team detect potential patterns, allowing you to modify your behavior and lifestyle, as appropriate. In addition to identifying your triggers, documenting how your feeling in detail, will be very helpful to review with your doctors. My Seizure Diary can be used to organize your health issues,manage medications, record side effects, other therapies or personal experiences and more which can be shared with members of your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . Additionally,you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi,Thank you for posting, we understand this must have been very confusing and upsetting for you to experience. When alcohol is stopped suddenly or is reduced by large amounts over a short period of time, a seizure may occur. “Withdrawal” seizures may occur 6 to 72 hours later, after drinking has stopped. This can happen in people with or without epilepsy. The withdrawal seizures are provoked by the alcohol withdrawal and are not due to epilepsy itself. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/alcohol . We are glad to hear that you have not consumed any alcohol and have schedule an appointment for additional diagnostic testing with your healthcare team, who can help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for you.  As Michael shared in his comment, for some people living with epilepsy, stress & lack of or poor quality of sleep are among some of the most commonly reported triggers. If you're having difficulties manage stress or getting enough sleep, it's important that you’re discussing these challenges with your healthcare team as well. For additional stress management technique & tips to help you practice healthy bedtime routine, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living . It may be helpful to keep a journal or a diary to help keep track of your seizures & triggers.This can help you and your healthcare team detect potential patterns, allowing you to modify your behavior and lifestyle, as appropriate. In addition to identifying your triggers, documenting how your feeling in detail, will be very helpful to review with your doctors. My Seizure Diary can be used to organize your health issues,manage medications, record side effects, other therapies or personal experiences and more which can be shared with members of your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . Additionally,you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline  

Hi,Thank you for posting, we understand this must have been very confusing and upsetting for you to experience. When alcohol is stopped suddenly or is reduced by large amounts over a short period of time, a seizure may occur. “Withdrawal” seizures may occur 6 to 72 hours later, after drinking has stopped. This can happen in people with or without epilepsy. The withdrawal seizures are provoked by the alcohol withdrawal and are not due to epilepsy itself. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/alcohol . We are glad to hear that you have not consumed any alcohol and have schedule an appointment for additional diagnostic testing with your healthcare team, who can help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for you. As Michael shared in his comment, for some people living with epilepsy, stress & lack of or poor quality of sleep are among some of the most commonly reported triggers. If you're having difficulties manage stress or getting enough sleep, it's important that you’re discussing these challenges with your healthcare team as well. For additional stress management technique & tips to help you practice healthy bedtime routine, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living . It may be helpful to keep a journal or a diary to help keep track of your seizures & triggers.This can help you and your healthcare team detect potential patterns, allowing you to modify your behavior and lifestyle, as appropriate. In addition to identifying your triggers, documenting how your feeling in detail, will be very helpful to review with your doctors. My Seizure Diary can be used to organize your health issues,manage medications, record side effects, other therapies or personal experiences and more which can be shared with members of your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . Additionally,you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Thank you for you support an

Submitted by Matthew2203 on Wed, 2020-04-15 - 21:26

Thank you for you support an information it's very appreciated! If someone experiences alcohol withdraw seizures do they typically have more seizures days ,weeks or months down the road if they continue not to consume alcohol.