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Controlling seizures without medication

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 13:27

I 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 teener on Wed, 2009-04-22 - 16:21

I would love to be seizure free w/o meds...I will watch this topic to see what people say.

All the best, Christine

I would love to be seizure free w/o meds...I will watch this topic to see what people say.

All the best, Christine

Re: Controlling seizures without medication

Submitted by gregs_seizures on Thu, 2009-09-03 - 11:32

I've quit my meds.  I quit about 2 months ago.  Not really long after I started this thread.

 I feel much better without the medicine.  I tried to explain to the doctor that my seizures were related to stress in some ways.

 Whether it is mental stress, physical stress, or other, there were triggers that I was aware of that would induce a seizure.

 He never ackowledged what I was saying.  Instead he seemed intent on disproving my claim.

I still beleive I can control this without meds, and until I have a major fit that I can't explain, I don't think I will ever go back to meds again.

 I have more clarity about my body chemistry without the extra garbage in their trying to prevent natural occurrences.  The medicine is like a dam.  It prevents the overflow, but puts a huge amount of pressure on the structure that holds the water in.

 I'm done with that.

I've quit my meds.  I quit about 2 months ago.  Not really long after I started this thread.

 I feel much better without the medicine.  I tried to explain to the doctor that my seizures were related to stress in some ways.

 Whether it is mental stress, physical stress, or other, there were triggers that I was aware of that would induce a seizure.

 He never ackowledged what I was saying.  Instead he seemed intent on disproving my claim.

I still beleive I can control this without meds, and until I have a major fit that I can't explain, I don't think I will ever go back to meds again.

 I have more clarity about my body chemistry without the extra garbage in their trying to prevent natural occurrences.  The medicine is like a dam.  It prevents the overflow, but puts a huge amount of pressure on the structure that holds the water in.

 I'm done with that.

Re: Controlling seizures without medication

Submitted by TaniaJaye on Wed, 2009-04-22 - 20:48

Hi, unfortunately it wouldn't be an option for me to go med free as my TLE seizures occur in clusters and if I forget to take them I end up in Status.... However, I have found that decreasing my stress levels through gentle exercise and giving myself something to focus on such as writing music and poetry, has been a sufficient enough outlet to make a small difference. My partner and I are gradually making many changes in our lives to do all we can to reduce the seizures.

I'll keep an eye on this thread though, as I am interested in what people may say about it and the results you and they have with it. 

Best Wishes
Tania xx

Hi, unfortunately it wouldn't be an option for me to go med free as my TLE seizures occur in clusters and if I forget to take them I end up in Status.... However, I have found that decreasing my stress levels through gentle exercise and giving myself something to focus on such as writing music and poetry, has been a sufficient enough outlet to make a small difference. My partner and I are gradually making many changes in our lives to do all we can to reduce the seizures.

I'll keep an eye on this thread though, as I am interested in what people may say about it and the results you and they have with it. 

Best Wishes
Tania xx

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