Seizures, Lamictal, and Alcohol

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I am 22 years old. I have grown up with jolting, especially when I was hungover or tired. This past November I had my first (and only) grand mal seizure. I have been taking 200mg of Lamictal daily, and, although I still jolt when I'm tired, I haven't had another big seizure. I was extremely hungover when it happened, to the point that I threw up, twice. Before the seizure, I drank a lot during college and never had any issues (other than jolting). I would be able to get drunk, even black out, had thrown up twice from hangovers, etc., but never any seizures. Of course I will never get that drunk again. My doctor told me that I can have 1-2 drinks within a 24 hour period, but being 22 and a senior in college, I feel very isolated and left out. All I want is to be able to have 3-4 drinks with my friends, drinking water in between each one and being very careful. I've noticed that sometimes after one beer or one glass of wine, I get a pretty bad headache, and I think it's due to the Lamictal. I'd like to hear from others about their experiences, so please any responses would be greatly appreciated. Believe me, I know that my epilepsy is mild compared to many people, but my seizure was enough to scare me to the point that I struggle with anxiety daily. My questions are: How serious was your epilepsy before and after starting Lamictal, is it okay to drink about 4-5 drinks with water in between, and does Lamictal give anyone else headaches? Thank you so much!

Comments

I had been having seizures

Submitted by just_joe on Fri, 2016-04-01 - 16:52

I had been having seizures for 9-10 years when I was your age now. For some people seizures can be bad if only 1 seizure a month.Others could have 4 and think it was a good month. Mt diagnosis was Grand mal, Petite mal and Focal motor epilepsy.. That diagnosis was made before neurologists went into their specialties Basically I had a grand Mal (tonic-tlonic) seizure. I had have petite mal (absence seizures) before that , Focal motor seizures can start looking like an absence seizure but end up looking like a Tonic-tonic if it generalizes.I haven't had a grand mal seizure since 1971. But I still have seizures that lasted quit a long time.I look At your age I had friends and yes we went to bars. A few knew I had to watch the drinking which I knew too. We had a ball in the clubs and bars. Most bars have a things called a Shirley Temple And a person can drink them and the people around they know no idea they arent alcoholic drinks. It is also good to learn to know the bartenders because they watch out for people if asked to. They learned to treat me right and make sure the other bartenders did to since I always had left over BBQ. Cookies and OMG my cinnamon rolls. So go out have fun. You can do that and drink only 1 drink. As long as yall are having fun then they don't care if you have a problem you have to deal with. My friends learned more and a few thanked me for the information when they had a cousin or friends who learned they had epilepsy. That time was years before they had home computers.I have been with the same group of neurologists since 1971. Some said No Drinking. Others say a drink ow and then will not hurt but make sure there is time between them. But like your neurologist stated no more then 2. I have beer and wine here in cast people come bay for a movie or to yack. However I don't drink like I used to and if it stays around it is used for cooking, Wine is good in marinades and beer makes some good beans and bread...I hope this helps and your seizures get under controlJoe

I had been having seizures for 9-10 years when I was your age now. For some people seizures can be bad if only 1 seizure a month.Others could have 4 and think it was a good month. Mt diagnosis was Grand mal, Petite mal and Focal motor epilepsy.. That diagnosis was made before neurologists went into their specialties  Basically I had a grand Mal (tonic-tlonic) seizure. I had have petite mal (absence seizures)  before that , Focal motor seizures can start looking like an absence seizure but end up looking like a Tonic-tonic if it generalizes.I haven't had a grand mal seizure since 1971. But I still have seizures that lasted quit a long time.I look At your age I had friends and yes we went to bars. A few knew I had to watch the drinking which I knew too.  We had a ball in the clubs and bars. Most bars have a things called a Shirley Temple And a person can drink them and the people around they know no idea they arent alcoholic drinks. It is also good to learn to know the bartenders because they watch out for people if asked to. They learned to treat me right and make sure the other bartenders did to since I always had left over BBQ. Cookies and OMG my cinnamon rolls. So go out have fun. You can do that and drink only 1 drink. As long as yall are having fun then they don't care if you have a problem you have to deal with. My friends learned  more and a few thanked me for the information when they had a cousin or friends who learned they had epilepsy. That time was years before they had home computers.I have been with the same group of neurologists since 1971.  Some said No Drinking. Others say a drink ow and then will not hurt but make sure there is time between them. But like your neurologist stated no more then 2. I have beer and wine here in cast people come bay for a movie or to yack. However I don't drink like I used to and if it stays around it is used for cooking, Wine is good in marinades and beer makes some good beans and bread...I hope this helps and your seizures get under controlJoe

I had been having seizures for 9-10 years when I was your age now. For some people seizures can be bad if only 1 seizure a month.Others could have 4 and think it was a good month. Mt diagnosis was Grand mal, Petite mal and Focal motor epilepsy.. That diagnosis was made before neurologists went into their specialties Basically I had a grand Mal (tonic-tlonic) seizure. I had have petite mal (absence seizures) before that , Focal motor seizures can start looking like an absence seizure but end up looking like a Tonic-tonic if it generalizes.I haven't had a grand mal seizure since 1971. But I still have seizures that lasted quit a long time.I look At your age I had friends and yes we went to bars. A few knew I had to watch the drinking which I knew too. We had a ball in the clubs and bars. Most bars have a things called a Shirley Temple And a person can drink them and the people around they know no idea they arent alcoholic drinks. It is also good to learn to know the bartenders because they watch out for people if asked to. They learned to treat me right and make sure the other bartenders did to since I always had left over BBQ. Cookies and OMG my cinnamon rolls. So go out have fun. You can do that and drink only 1 drink. As long as yall are having fun then they don't care if you have a problem you have to deal with. My friends learned more and a few thanked me for the information when they had a cousin or friends who learned they had epilepsy. That time was years before they had home computers.I have been with the same group of neurologists since 1971. Some said No Drinking. Others say a drink ow and then will not hurt but make sure there is time between them. But like your neurologist stated no more then 2. I have beer and wine here in cast people come bay for a movie or to yack. However I don't drink like I used to and if it stays around it is used for cooking, Wine is good in marinades and beer makes some good beans and bread...I hope this helps and your seizures get under controlJoe

Seizures, Lamictal, and Alcohol

Comments

I had been having seizures

Submitted by just_joe on Fri, 2016-04-01 - 16:52

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