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Can exercise induce seizures?

Sun, 11/16/2008 - 07:00
All the doctors disagree with me because of the research out there but I gave up running last June because I had a seizure while running. I suddenly collapsed, right before I was going to cross a busy street. The doctors argue that aerobic exercise is especially good for epileptics because it normally relieves stress and depression. I agree with this but I want to be safe when getting back into it again. Once I had a small seizure on a bicycle as well. What does everyone else think? Have you had similar experiences?

Comments

Re: Can exercise induce seizures?

Submitted by Bezalel on Wed, 2010-01-27 - 13:32
I am also glad bout this topic. So many things happen that confuse me for trying to find what triggers my E. I'm thinking that you can gradually work up to actual exercise. i have to believe that. if i work out too hard to exhaustion, I'm hands down, going to seize. there are alot of things that I go through that I'm ashshamed of but Idon't know if it's just my being busy or if it is my epilepsy. Or maybe its a common trait of men in general that just in my case are magnified by the epilepsy. i don't know. and it's just so frustrating. ppl tell me it's all in my head. and I should be better. I and I'm milking my E. so I don't say anything about it when It does happen I just play it off and find some excuse.

Re: Can exercise induce seizures?

Submitted by britt513 on Thu, 2010-02-18 - 11:56

I was looking up some information about symptoms and came across this thread of posts-

This response is for the entire thread....

I've had seizures for nearly 25 yrs, since I was young.  I am fortunate that they have been controlled for the last 10 yrs by zonisamide (both petitmal and grandmal); although I still feel like I have seizure activity and there is evidence of activity on multiple EEGs.   

Never feel bad about "blaming" something on your seizures...but also, don't let them hold you back or make you too afraid to live a normal life.  I know that the severity of everyone's epilepsy varies, so this is easier said than done.  Just don't let a diagnosis dicatate how you will act each day....instead use it to your advantage....like, you know you need some help or may need to make some adjustments while you are getting from point A to point B, that is all.

As for exercise....for many, I wonder if this may be more of a concidence and depend on the way that you exercise, as to whether or not you seize.  Think about it.  If hyperventilating/deep breathing/lack of oxygen is known to increase seizure activity, then many of us (especially those of us who are not super amazing athletes) will probably tend to see an increase during activities where we are moving more, breathing more, using more energy.   I am a big fan of experimentation.  Take time to get to know your body, your environment, how you feel before/after your seizures (whether "big" or "small").  As you perform any type of everyday activity like exercising, as you are more in tune with your body, the way you are breathing, how much sleep you are getting, are you hydrated, do you feel alert or spaced out.....I think that it is possible to gain some control over your situtation and at least an ounce of prevention is achieved!

I can't believe that sitting on the couch, becoming inactive or letting your body and muscles wear down can be more healthy for your neurons!  I don't know the exact answer, but it just seems that healthy living and exercise, done in the right way/right doses (you decide) should ultimately help your body and brain to stay healthy longer????  Just something to think about! 

 

 

I was looking up some information about symptoms and came across this thread of posts-

This response is for the entire thread....

I've had seizures for nearly 25 yrs, since I was young.  I am fortunate that they have been controlled for the last 10 yrs by zonisamide (both petitmal and grandmal); although I still feel like I have seizure activity and there is evidence of activity on multiple EEGs.   

Never feel bad about "blaming" something on your seizures...but also, don't let them hold you back or make you too afraid to live a normal life.  I know that the severity of everyone's epilepsy varies, so this is easier said than done.  Just don't let a diagnosis dicatate how you will act each day....instead use it to your advantage....like, you know you need some help or may need to make some adjustments while you are getting from point A to point B, that is all.

As for exercise....for many, I wonder if this may be more of a concidence and depend on the way that you exercise, as to whether or not you seize.  Think about it.  If hyperventilating/deep breathing/lack of oxygen is known to increase seizure activity, then many of us (especially those of us who are not super amazing athletes) will probably tend to see an increase during activities where we are moving more, breathing more, using more energy.   I am a big fan of experimentation.  Take time to get to know your body, your environment, how you feel before/after your seizures (whether "big" or "small").  As you perform any type of everyday activity like exercising, as you are more in tune with your body, the way you are breathing, how much sleep you are getting, are you hydrated, do you feel alert or spaced out.....I think that it is possible to gain some control over your situtation and at least an ounce of prevention is achieved!

I can't believe that sitting on the couch, becoming inactive or letting your body and muscles wear down can be more healthy for your neurons!  I don't know the exact answer, but it just seems that healthy living and exercise, done in the right way/right doses (you decide) should ultimately help your body and brain to stay healthy longer????  Just something to think about! 

 

 

Re: Can exercise induce seizures?

Submitted by needhamleonards on Tue, 2010-02-23 - 16:14

Great discussion. I believe that hard exercise does cause seizures - absence seizures in my case. I've had two very strong ones in the past year that I believe were caused by extreme exertion.

The first was when I carried an air conditioner from our garage to a second floor bedroom. The second was at the end of my first short jog in two years. For some reason I have to push myself as much as possible when jogging, and my bet is that if I hadn't pushed so hard, nothing would have happened.

It could be the heavy breathing or it could be the physical strain somehow affecting the brain, but whatever it is, this discussion at least confirms that it is a common phenomena.

Great discussion. I believe that hard exercise does cause seizures - absence seizures in my case. I've had two very strong ones in the past year that I believe were caused by extreme exertion.

The first was when I carried an air conditioner from our garage to a second floor bedroom. The second was at the end of my first short jog in two years. For some reason I have to push myself as much as possible when jogging, and my bet is that if I hadn't pushed so hard, nothing would have happened.

It could be the heavy breathing or it could be the physical strain somehow affecting the brain, but whatever it is, this discussion at least confirms that it is a common phenomena.

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