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Controlling seizures without medication
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 13:27I hope that this does not turn out to be a controversial subject.
Let me just start by saying that I don't know what kind of seizure disorder I have. I have had only 3 EEGs between the time I was 19 and now 35.
After the first EEG, my doctor told me I had epilepsy and put me on Tegretol. I took the medication only for a year, and then moved over to Klonopin, which I have taken ever since. When I was 22, I had another EEG, and the doctor told me I was fine. I was living overseas at the time of my 2nd EEG and I really can't vouch for the expertise of the doctor.
Despite what the doctor told me of my EEG, my seizures continued and had never stopped.
The seizures I was having were incredibly breif lasting only a second or two. My eyes would roll back into my head, I would NOT fall to the ground. I'd lose muscle control from the neck and above, and kind of twitch my head back and forth with very small jerks that were almost unnoticeable.
In any event, I was sick with the flu recently, and during my doctor's visit, I had one of these seizures, and he insisted I see a nuerologist again.
I had an EEG and MRI, and I've been told again that I have a seizure disorder. I just started taking Lamictal.
I'm very keen to how my body responds to foods, stress, and specific situations.
If I were able to simply avoid all the situations that trigger my seizures which in most cases are stress-induced, I believe that I could live seizure-free without medication.
But that is not possible. What IS possible - is for me to overcome the situations that trigger my seizures with a different mental outlook. Although I have not been able to successfully change my mental approach to the situations that cause my seizures all the time, I have had success in many instances.
To sum it up, I strongly believe that it would be possible to take control of my seizure disorder through a non-medicated approach. Perhaps my seizures are just different. I don't even know at this point what kind of seizures I have. All I know is that both of my EEGs in the US showed with certainty that I have a seizure disorder. I have left a message with my doctor today, to get more information on his diagnosis, and will post it here when I receive that information (see below).
I will continue taking my Lamictal. What I want to know is if anybody agrees that it could be possible to correct a form of seizures with a non-medicated mental approach; any doctors or patients?
I am not a scientologist. In fact, I'm not even sure what their approach to a seizure disorder is. I am just stating what I think I have the power to do, and want to find out if anybody shares those ideas.
Update
I spoke with my doctor today. The seizures that I have been having are simple and complex focal seizures.
Comments
Re: Controlling seizures without medication
Submitted by ckowsky on Wed, 2009-04-22 - 19:20
Re: Controlling seizures without medication
Submitted by labush on Sat, 2009-05-09 - 13:01
Hi,
Thanks all for sharing your information. I have TLE and been suffering petit mal seizures since I was a kid, but after tests around late teens I was put on Tegretol. Now I'm 30, on Depakene after trying almost all medications, and back to square 1.
To be honest, I feel that the only person who can take care of my case is myself and other people with epilepsy by sharing experiences, and not any doctor. I've been to many doctors, but I think being a doctor knowing all the theory is quite different from being a person who's living with epilepsy.
The last couple of doctors I've been to (based on their name and reputation), made me feel just like a guinea pig, and nothing more. One was trying different meds to see which ones work, and got me poisoned. I was actually seeing double and felt like the world was rolling backwards every time I took the meds. The other...he just never listened to what I would say, and would just add more drugs and increase the dosage!
Anyways...what was best for me to control seizures and feel healthy:
- Stress free life - I got my worst seizure after being extremely stressed out at work
- Exercise - even if light exercise to keep the blood flowing and feeling healthy
- Healthy diet - Drink enough water especially when I wake up, make sure no poisons or additives are in my diet like MSG, aspartame and food additives/colours, no foods that trigger attacks such as red meat, caffeine, chocolate aubergine, tea/coffee and canned food. The best thing I found for myself is to monitor my diet and pay attention to what triggers my attacks. I'm currently living without any supplements or vitamins.
Right now, I don't have a doctor since the one I went to last left the country (the Dr. who put me on Depakene). But what I would like to do is to control attacks without living on medications, especially those with nasty side effects.
I hope the above was of any help. I would be really grateful if you can share any details regarding supplements and vitamins.
All the best.
L.
Hi,
Thanks all for sharing your information. I have TLE and been suffering petit mal seizures since I was a kid, but after tests around late teens I was put on Tegretol. Now I'm 30, on Depakene after trying almost all medications, and back to square 1.
To be honest, I feel that the only person who can take care of my case is myself and other people with epilepsy by sharing experiences, and not any doctor. I've been to many doctors, but I think being a doctor knowing all the theory is quite different from being a person who's living with epilepsy.
The last couple of doctors I've been to (based on their name and reputation), made me feel just like a guinea pig, and nothing more. One was trying different meds to see which ones work, and got me poisoned. I was actually seeing double and felt like the world was rolling backwards every time I took the meds. The other...he just never listened to what I would say, and would just add more drugs and increase the dosage!
Anyways...what was best for me to control seizures and feel healthy:
- Stress free life - I got my worst seizure after being extremely stressed out at work
- Exercise - even if light exercise to keep the blood flowing and feeling healthy
- Healthy diet - Drink enough water especially when I wake up, make sure no poisons or additives are in my diet like MSG, aspartame and food additives/colours, no foods that trigger attacks such as red meat, caffeine, chocolate aubergine, tea/coffee and canned food. The best thing I found for myself is to monitor my diet and pay attention to what triggers my attacks. I'm currently living without any supplements or vitamins.
Right now, I don't have a doctor since the one I went to last left the country (the Dr. who put me on Depakene). But what I would like to do is to control attacks without living on medications, especially those with nasty side effects.
I hope the above was of any help. I would be really grateful if you can share any details regarding supplements and vitamins.
All the best.
L.
Re: Controlling seizures without medication
Submitted by Lovebug on Wed, 2009-04-22 - 13:49
I don't have any advice but I am interested in any responses. Someone must have something besides smoking marijuana. C'mon someone reading this will eventually come out of the shadows and offer a nibble.