Smoking cigarettes and seizures....

Re: Smoking cigarettes and seizures....

Submitted by rikk on Thu, 2009-05-21 - 11:49

hi,  short answer.  yes.  the chemical in cigarettes, increase the potential for seizures.  Smoking results in a decrease in blood oxygen levels,  and an increase in CO2.  Both of thoses changes cause brain irratibility.  Now quiting smoking is not a walk in the park for anyone, add seizures and the problem is greater.  The results of withdrawal can cause seizures.  this is a short term problem.  The newest smoking cessation drug (cantix)Spelling.  That caused problems for me.  the study was limited when i tried the drug.  Both doc were consulted before the attempt.  There instruction was simple.  Try it and if it gives you a problem, stop.  I was only able to tolerate the half dose.  Why i don't know but i quit smoking anyway.  i know it was not the medication.  That was almost two years ago.  I smoked for 40 years.  at times 2-3 packs a day.  hope it helps.  rikk

Re: Smoking cigarettes and seizures....

Submitted by Lovebug on Thu, 2009-05-21 - 15:00

My epilepsy is uncontrolled.  My neurologist told me not to try to quit because it would cause me more stress and cause more seizures.  I smoked a pack a day for five years.  I went against him and quit smoking 2 and a half months ago cold turkey.  It was hard but it was a decision I made and I told everyone it was what I wanted.  Nobody was allowed to buy them for me no matter how much I begged them to drive me to the store.  After a week of threatening everyones life and thinking of ways to smoke the carpet (I'm kinda joking on that one) it did get better.  I did see an increase in my seizures but they leveled out after a few days and I am feeling healthier.  I don't need to add to my health problems.

Re: Smoking cigarettes and seizures....

Submitted by Rudi1752 on Sun, 2009-06-07 - 14:35

I had been seizure free for the last 5 years, then three weeks ago I stopped smoking and used a 'patch' to help with the cravings.  After two weeks of being cigarette free I had a Gran Mal Seizure.  The seizure was different from my usual seizures as I didn't experience an aura, it just hit me, and it didn't last very long. I hit my head hard I am still suffering concussion 5 days later!!  I can only go on my experience and, no offence, but the doctors I've seen haven't got a clue.  I firmly believe that the nicotine from the patches I was wearing caused the seizure.

 I am currently taking 75mg Lamotrigine twice a day (total 150mg).  The patches I wore were Niquetin CQ 21mg (for 1 week) then Nicorette 15mg (for 1 week). 

 Has anyone else got any views on what could have caused my recent seizure?