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Smoking and Epilepsy

Thu, 02/15/2007 - 19:04
I semi-controlled tonic-clonic sez and also happen to be a social smoker, usaully having maybe one or two ciggaretts a month. Recentley however my sez activity has increased along with migrains and now whenever I smoke I seem to get a nicatin high that makes my head hurt so bad, I feel as if I am going to throw up or pass out, or both. Smoking used to do the exact oppisate, and make me feel calmer, I don't understand what has caused this change, or even if anyone else has experinced anything like it. Does this sort of thing sound familer to anyone? Any advice would be much apprated. Oh, and don't worry about lecturing on quiting smoking, as of last night I am offically a non-smoker. Thank you very much, Janice

Comments

Re: Smoking and Epilepsy

Submitted by lunaluna on Mon, 2010-12-13 - 15:06

I am a first time visitor, and hope this is the right way to get started on a discussion.

I was a twenty year smoker, but quit six months ago using with help from nicotine lozenges.  I was still taking them up to last week.  But I had a major seizure for the first time in my life, ending up in the hospital for three days.  I was unconscious for two hours, and heartbeat required stabilization.

 Is this something that is known???   Have others experienced seizures when using nicotine replacement to quit smoking?

I am a first time visitor, and hope this is the right way to get started on a discussion.

I was a twenty year smoker, but quit six months ago using with help from nicotine lozenges.  I was still taking them up to last week.  But I had a major seizure for the first time in my life, ending up in the hospital for three days.  I was unconscious for two hours, and heartbeat required stabilization.

 Is this something that is known???   Have others experienced seizures when using nicotine replacement to quit smoking?

Re: Smoking and Epilepsy

Submitted by rosegirl on Wed, 2007-02-21 - 12:49
I used to be a social smoker as well. Occasionally I slip up and have one just out of habit. But i used to get a headache also. The only time I ever had a seizure because of smoking was the first time I tried one. My headaches happen the day after though. Although because I smoke when I drink, that could be the reason for the headache. I've come to the conclusion that it isn't the drinking. I could have one drink and smoke a couple of cigarettes and i'd wake up with a headache. The only advise that I can give you is quit smoking but you seemed to already do that. Good luck!

Re: Smoking and Epilepsy

Submitted by aquila316 on Wed, 2007-02-21 - 16:23
I recently purchased a book entitled “Living Well With Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders” by Carl W. Bazil, M.D., Ph. D. In it, it states that Tobacco, Caffeine, and Marijuana are "not known to cause seizures". Of course different things have different effects on people, but most of what I have read so far is very factual, and insightful. Just a little input for ya, Susan

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