Hi there everyone. Firstly I am in no way linked to the medical profession, and have no formal medical training or experience. I just thought I would stick this in to hopefully answer the questions of some parents and kids alike who do/have/are thinking of trying illegal drugs, and who live with epilepsy. I am on quite high levels of medication to control my fits; I am in my mid 20's. Recreational drugs have played a part in my life since I was about 15, nothing wrong with my upbringing, it was perfect. It was just something I tried and liked - sorry. From my experience parents are often more worried about their child’s condition than the patient themselves, something I might understand if I become a parent one day. I will try and loosely go though the drugs I have tried and the effects regarding my epilepsy. To kick off with, everyone’s epilepsy is different, from what I have been taught no one person is the same as another when it comes to this condition, which MUST be taken into account when reading this. I have smoked cannabis for some time now. All different sorts, all different amounts, all over the globe (including a regular pilgrimage to Holland). I can quite honestly say I have never even had a twitch - let alone a full blown fit - while under the influence of cannabis. Hallucinogens - LSD and magic mushrooms, are also substances I have enjoyed -- again never any problems. A good friend who is also epileptic felt a bit strange once when he popped to a local bar having dropped 2 acid trips. Probably more to do with the paranoia of being off his pickle in a public place than the epilepsy (he had done them many times before, and has done them since) but I have to mention this. Ecstasy. Not really my favorite drug. Have had it a number of times and it is not really my thing, but it has never effected my epilepsy in any noticeable way. Speed (amphetamines) is something I have used for all night parties and raves. Sleep deprivation used to be a problem for me with regard to my epilepsy; the drugs never caused me any problems. Mescaline. Quite rare these days (parents might remember it!) either synthesized of natural never caused me any problems. Mescaline is the psychoactive ingredient in peyote and san pedro cacti and has similar effects to lsd or shrooms. Cocaine is another drug I have dabbled in, not in vast quantities mainly due to the cost. Again no noticeable problems. I understand for reading up that coke could seriously affect your epilepsy; I have never had that much, therefore I would recommend you ignore my experience with this substance. Alcohol. The most problems I have ever had from a drug have resulted from alcohol, including fits. I now generally avoid alcohol as a matter of course – everyone’s different. I never mixed drugs and alcohol. That is as *far* as my drug experiences have gone, like any drug habit the temptation is to push it as far as you can. I have pushed all the above except ecstasy and cocaine as far as you realistically go, and the only effects I have experienced have resulted from the drug, not the epilepsy (non-withstanding alcohol). This rant has been written as honestly as I can. I am in no way condoning the used of illegal drugs, I hope that either parents or kids thinking of trying the above might find this useful. In the words of the late great Hunter S Thompson: "I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me". I have written this for parents as well as kids. I know how worried my parents were about illegal drugs with my condition. I also know how worried some kids are about trying recreational drugs with their epilepsy. This experiance results from many years of trial. I apologize if people out there find this article irresponsible, it was not my intention. I am simply hoping to answer some questions that people might be too embarrassed or scared to ask. I will finish with the fact that my friends have always been very kind, caring and supportive with regards to my condition – always asked me if I have been sure about something I have chosen to do and never exhibited any form of peer pressure. I consider this to be a very important aspect of my drugs honeymoon, I would have never felt at ease if my friends were not supportive, consequently I would probably not have gone as far as I have. If there are any replies (questions or criticisms) I will answer them to the best of my knowledge. Look after yourself everyone, and take care. Please excuse the inevitable spelling cock-ups!
RE: Epilepsy and Illegal drugs - experiences
Submitted by ButterflyGrl on Wed, 2005-07-27 - 20:41
I had my first grand-mal seizure 1 month ago subsequent to a night of partying. I was drinking the night before, I smoked a joint or two, and I did 2 lines of coke, after 3 years of not touching the stuff. Stupid me.I used to be a raver. Doing ecstacy, coke, weed, GHB, not every weekend mind you, but every now and then. That was in my very early 20's from like 22-24 or 25. I am now almost 29. Those days were long gone for me.I still smoked weed up until I had my seizure, but the mistake I made the night before I had my GM was to dabble in the coke again because I was told "it would sober me up". I am not a heavy drinker by ANY means. I had about 4 coolers that night which isn't RARE for me, I just don't do that often.The next morning I felt fine...until I was blowdrying my hair, and I had my GM.Funny thing is, I had been experiencing these aura's before.... only when blowdrying my hair. A funny "Throat choking" feeling and numbness in my face....but nothing. The ER doctor said that my doing the coke sped up the process of what would've happened sooner or later.The MRI showed that I was born with a congenital brain malformation called X-linked Periventricular Heterotopia which is most common in women, and almost always causes seizures in the 2nd decade of life. Thus, me being 28 with my first GM.So here I am thinking it was MAINLY because of the combination of drugs, and alcohol. It was bound to happen sooner or later.I will never touch an alcoholic beverage EVER again. OR MJ for that matter even tho I hear of it's many benefits. I tried it since, and I just felt plain WEIRD.I'm surprised this never happened to me in my earlier 20's when I had nothing better to do but pop a pill and stay up for 2 days and dance my ass off.Thanks for listening.