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Can caffiene-withdrawal cause seizure?

Thu, 01/31/2008 - 14:14

I was wondering, can a caffiene withdrawal cause a seizure?

I am trying to rid my body of it's dependence on coffee, soda, etc for that jolt of energy to get through the day. It has been a few days now. But my head is throbbing. What is the truth about this? (before I go and grab a cup for relief).

Comments

Re: Can caffiene-withdrawal cause seizure?

Submitted by George R on Thu, 2008-03-06 - 14:35

George - NYC

Ask around, and you'll find that a large percentage of we folks with E will tell you that caffeine definitely has an effect on seizure frequency and intensity. I went for many years thinking that my 8 or 9 cups a day were bringing on "only" pounding headaches. But since retiring and stopping the free, office-prepared cups of coffee, I've been drinking far less. And WOW--down have come my number of seizures. Oh maybe that one with breakfast to wake me up, but seldom more than that. It'll give me pounding headaches, bring on my charming-but-irritating short temper, and make for problems when it comes to falling asleep easily. I recommend easing off it over a couple of months, but I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

George - NYC

Ask around, and you'll find that a large percentage of we folks with E will tell you that caffeine definitely has an effect on seizure frequency and intensity. I went for many years thinking that my 8 or 9 cups a day were bringing on "only" pounding headaches. But since retiring and stopping the free, office-prepared cups of coffee, I've been drinking far less. And WOW--down have come my number of seizures. Oh maybe that one with breakfast to wake me up, but seldom more than that. It'll give me pounding headaches, bring on my charming-but-irritating short temper, and make for problems when it comes to falling asleep easily. I recommend easing off it over a couple of months, but I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

Re: Can caffiene-withdrawal cause seizure?

Submitted by Seruzies on Thu, 2008-03-20 - 19:46
If caffiene-withdrawal causes seizures, if I were to quit my regimine of coffee and Coke, I'd be in deeeep trouble!!! I asked my Neuro about it, and he said as long as I wasn't having Seizures, it was OK since my body is already so used to it. I do drink quite a bit of both, coffee and Coke.   

Re: Can caffiene-withdrawal cause seizure?

Submitted by peterochs on Mon, 2012-07-23 - 20:32
there is some study info online that measured the effects of seizure meds and coffee that reported an effect to one med. I'm glad it's not my med, because coffee is one of mine also :) but I have been working on my moderation. I've been up late and caffeinated working on my moderation :) I'm postictal 36 hours so I can make jokes - :p I recommend you keep tabs on your ictals and caffeines and find out how it affects you specifically like I'm doing. so far I've been moderate, and I had a seizure... not that that is immediate causation or whatever, but I'm still intending to start mixing in decaf beans with my brew

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