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Running provoking seizures
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 13:16Hi all,
I was diagnosed with complex partial epilepsy 3 years ago, which was when I found out I'd had it since I was 11 or 12 and just never saw a doc about it because it had never gotten in the way before. Now, I know that there are other discussions on here about exercise and epilepsy, but they seem to focus on people who are trying to get in shape (no offense!) The thing is sometimes I still get seizures even though I am on medication, and these seizures occur almost always (98% of them) while I am running, which is a small issue for me because I am a marathoner and have to run practically every day. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with focusing on the rhythym of running or what, but I wanted to check and see if any other generally fit person had an issue with running provoking their seizures. Sometimes cycling can bring them on, too, but nowhere near as frequently, and other sports that might involve running (ie soccer) don't seem to cause any problems. In fact, general exercise like weights, situps, elipticals, etc. don't cause problems. Any thoughts?
Comments
Re: Running provoking seizures
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Fri, 2010-08-06 - 09:20
You might want to look at the thread Can exercise induce seizures? http://my.epilepsy.com/discussion/979431 Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
You might want to look at the thread Can exercise induce seizures? http://my.epilepsy.com/discussion/979431 Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Re: Running provoking seizures
Submitted by Robin Salmansohn on Sun, 2010-12-26 - 01:02
Have you ever had an EEG? Do you remember part where they want you to hyperventilate?
The brain in someone with with epilepsy is abnormal. I don't mean just additional firings. Brain chemistry is abnormal. The cells of your body use oxygen and give off CO2. You utilize glucose. The chemistry occurs at an exact acid/base ratio (the pH). Changes to this ratio change the bio-chem in the entire body, including the brain. When you inhale and exhale O2/CO2, the exchange is because of a Carbonic Anhydrase, a zinc bearing enzyme. If you 'blow off' more CO2 than you inspire O2, the pH changes in the brain. The abnormal brain chemistry in epilepsy is that the level of Citrate is abnormally high. Over the course of 6 hours there is a normal utilization of glucose, O2, citrate, and the release of CO2, the glucose citrate / utilization curve. Citrate is an acid. When the brain is more acidic, there is an increase in firing of neurons. When you 'hype', you increase the acidity in the brain (epileptics are prone to more seizures because of the propensity for their brain to become acid). This may cause you to seize. (Which is they want in an EEG test - they need to catch a seizure on the machine).
If you run, or do anything that makes you hyperventilate, you may induce a seizure as would be done on an EEG test. (The same problem happens to mountain climbers without hyperventillation. A rapid climb changes the O2 / CO2 exchange)
There is a medication for this (acetazolamide, brand name DIAMOX). Acetazolamide metabolizes in to a compound in the brain, acetoacetate. It inhibits carbonic anhydrase.
Have you ever had an EEG? Do you remember part where they want you to hyperventilate?
The brain in someone with with epilepsy is abnormal. I don't mean just additional firings. Brain chemistry is abnormal. The cells of your body use oxygen and give off CO2. You utilize glucose. The chemistry occurs at an exact acid/base ratio (the pH). Changes to this ratio change the bio-chem in the entire body, including the brain. When you inhale and exhale O2/CO2, the exchange is because of a Carbonic Anhydrase, a zinc bearing enzyme. If you 'blow off' more CO2 than you inspire O2, the pH changes in the brain. The abnormal brain chemistry in epilepsy is that the level of Citrate is abnormally high. Over the course of 6 hours there is a normal utilization of glucose, O2, citrate, and the release of CO2, the glucose citrate / utilization curve. Citrate is an acid. When the brain is more acidic, there is an increase in firing of neurons. When you 'hype', you increase the acidity in the brain (epileptics are prone to more seizures because of the propensity for their brain to become acid). This may cause you to seize. (Which is they want in an EEG test - they need to catch a seizure on the machine).
If you run, or do anything that makes you hyperventilate, you may induce a seizure as would be done on an EEG test. (The same problem happens to mountain climbers without hyperventillation. A rapid climb changes the O2 / CO2 exchange)
There is a medication for this (acetazolamide, brand name DIAMOX). Acetazolamide metabolizes in to a compound in the brain, acetoacetate. It inhibits carbonic anhydrase.
Re: Running provoking seizures
Submitted by Florida Swamp Rat on Thu, 2010-08-05 - 19:19
I think that excercising has helped prevent my seizures.
I have always been in great shape but 4 years ago I started eating bad, not working out, smoking, dinking alot, and not sleeping very much. I gained 45 pounds and I felt like I was going to die. Then I started having siezures a year ago. I have since changed my lifestyle. I eat an better and less, don't smoke, don't drink, sleep 8-9 hours, and I run and work out almost everyday. I feel like I have my life back.
I understand your pain. I would have a hard time if I was unable to run and workout.
The only advice I can give you is EVERYTHING in moderation. Doing something like a marathon puts a lot of stress on your body. My doctor told me to avoid stress of any kind. That is a "trigger". The healthy easy going lifestyle is the way to go.
I think that excercising has helped prevent my seizures.
I have always been in great shape but 4 years ago I started eating bad, not working out, smoking, dinking alot, and not sleeping very much. I gained 45 pounds and I felt like I was going to die. Then I started having siezures a year ago. I have since changed my lifestyle. I eat an better and less, don't smoke, don't drink, sleep 8-9 hours, and I run and work out almost everyday. I feel like I have my life back.
I understand your pain. I would have a hard time if I was unable to run and workout.
The only advice I can give you is EVERYTHING in moderation. Doing something like a marathon puts a lot of stress on your body. My doctor told me to avoid stress of any kind. That is a "trigger". The healthy easy going lifestyle is the way to go.