Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Smoking cigarettes and seizures....
Sat, 07/30/2005 - 00:07Comments
Re: Smoking cigarettes and seizures....
Submitted by Neon Knight on Tue, 2009-06-09 - 22:57
I've been smoking for about 15 years at first a pack a day but after I became addicted it jumped to 3 packs a day. I have had epilepsy for about 10 years and I've never noticed smoking having any effect. Of course now, my seizures are well under control with medicine.(Have been seizure free for a year). I'm trying to quit though. I made some effort to quit back in January or February this year by taking Chantix, but it didn't do any good. The Chantix to me seemed like it was nothing more but baking soda or flour shaped like a pill. Now I'm considering taking Welbutrin. I know that is actually an antidepressant, but it has helped some who take it to quit smoking as well. I need to talk with my doctor about Welbutrin though. I am mildly depressed as well so I can't see the harm. I already take 9mg of Invega for the depression which I'm not too sure if it's really helping. I'm not sure if it's even depression, it's more like everything is surrounded in some type of fog or something.
Besides is taking Invega a good idea for someone that already takes 400mg of Dilantin and 400mg of Lamictal in the day. Was the Chantix a good idea? I guess I'll say yes since my doctor didn't see a problem with it. Would Welbutrin be a good choice?
I've been smoking for about 15 years at first a pack a day but after I became addicted it jumped to 3 packs a day. I have had epilepsy for about 10 years and I've never noticed smoking having any effect. Of course now, my seizures are well under control with medicine.(Have been seizure free for a year). I'm trying to quit though. I made some effort to quit back in January or February this year by taking Chantix, but it didn't do any good. The Chantix to me seemed like it was nothing more but baking soda or flour shaped like a pill. Now I'm considering taking Welbutrin. I know that is actually an antidepressant, but it has helped some who take it to quit smoking as well. I need to talk with my doctor about Welbutrin though. I am mildly depressed as well so I can't see the harm. I already take 9mg of Invega for the depression which I'm not too sure if it's really helping. I'm not sure if it's even depression, it's more like everything is surrounded in some type of fog or something.
Besides is taking Invega a good idea for someone that already takes 400mg of Dilantin and 400mg of Lamictal in the day. Was the Chantix a good idea? I guess I'll say yes since my doctor didn't see a problem with it. Would Welbutrin be a good choice?
Re: Smoking cigarettes and seizures....
Submitted by nix5149 on Mon, 2009-08-24 - 03:53
Whoa. This was the last conversation I expected to find here. But I'm glad! Smoking (or not) could have been a factor. Huh. I'm so mystified.
I'm 50 and have been smoking pretty much since I was 13. I didn't smoke a lot, maybe half a pack a day. I was tapering off cigarettes, preparing to go cold turkey after working my way down through three last packs of Ultra Lights, when I had a seizure out of nowhere about a week ago. Fire truck, paramedics, ER, the whole deal. My mother and I were joking at the ER that this was no reason to not quit smoking, because that's the only thing I've been doing differently lately. Things were going pretty well that night until I felt dizzy, and I'm told I fell over onto my bed, seized up, and started vomiting. I came to hearing a paramedic inform me that I'd had a tonic-clonic seizure. I've spent most of this week reconstructing the events that I don't remember. Fortunately, I have a housemate here who called 9-1-1.
I've been on Dilantin for a week now, and smoke free for six days. I've seen a neurologist, have an EEG scheduled, and am due for an MRI.
I had a seizure in 1975 when I was a dumb kid druggie (27 years clean/sober now), and the neurologist told me that it does indeed count. I'm not cleared to drive, which sucks more than anything, but I'd hate to have an accident due to a seizure.
I'm just mystified and working to integrate this into my life and relationships with friends and family.
nix
Whoa. This was the last conversation I expected to find here. But I'm glad! Smoking (or not) could have been a factor. Huh. I'm so mystified.
I'm 50 and have been smoking pretty much since I was 13. I didn't smoke a lot, maybe half a pack a day. I was tapering off cigarettes, preparing to go cold turkey after working my way down through three last packs of Ultra Lights, when I had a seizure out of nowhere about a week ago. Fire truck, paramedics, ER, the whole deal. My mother and I were joking at the ER that this was no reason to not quit smoking, because that's the only thing I've been doing differently lately. Things were going pretty well that night until I felt dizzy, and I'm told I fell over onto my bed, seized up, and started vomiting. I came to hearing a paramedic inform me that I'd had a tonic-clonic seizure. I've spent most of this week reconstructing the events that I don't remember. Fortunately, I have a housemate here who called 9-1-1.
I've been on Dilantin for a week now, and smoke free for six days. I've seen a neurologist, have an EEG scheduled, and am due for an MRI.
I had a seizure in 1975 when I was a dumb kid druggie (27 years clean/sober now), and the neurologist told me that it does indeed count. I'm not cleared to drive, which sucks more than anything, but I'd hate to have an accident due to a seizure.
I'm just mystified and working to integrate this into my life and relationships with friends and family.
nix
Re: Smoking cigarettes and seizures....
Submitted by wichitarick1 on Sun, 2009-06-07 - 22:46
peace R.C.
Hi
I,m afraid to quit???
At least you quitters won,t have a gmal now on TOP OF a lit cig. and melt your shorts into your hip. ooops
I have been lucky . My doc,s seem to favor in the side of the adjustments in nicotine in any way helps induce the sz.
But there are so many triggers to things it is a pretty "open" question. I have read 100,s here.
also over the past few yrs a LOT of meds and 20 or more things have been triggers.
I am making excuses though and need to quit . I will regardless of anything .
I am just not sure when .... Rick
peace R.C.
Hi
I,m afraid to quit???
At least you quitters won,t have a gmal now on TOP OF a lit cig. and melt your shorts into your hip. ooops
I have been lucky . My doc,s seem to favor in the side of the adjustments in nicotine in any way helps induce the sz.
But there are so many triggers to things it is a pretty "open" question. I have read 100,s here.
also over the past few yrs a LOT of meds and 20 or more things have been triggers.
I am making excuses though and need to quit . I will regardless of anything .
I am just not sure when .... Rick