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Drinking, Smoking, and JME
Mon, 09/06/2010 - 01:33Hello everyone.
A few months ago (May), I was diagnosed with Junior Myochronic Epilepsy after having two seizures, one in late March and one in early May. Ever since the diagnosis, I have been on medication (Keppra XR 500 mg), taking 3 of those every night, and am happy to report that I have not had another seizure since then.
I am just beginning my first year in college, so topics like drinking and smoking marijuana are going to come up. Just last night I went to my first party and drank quite a bit, but not too much. I was sure to take my medication before any of that happened. I'm happy to report that nothing involving seizures or anything like that happened. However, i'm afraid that it might in the future. There's also the topic of marijuana and whether that's safe or not.
I guess what I am basically wondering is what is safe and what isn't, as well as how much is too much for someone with my condition.
Thanks in advance,
syuri10
Re: Drinking, Smoking, and JME
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Tue, 2010-09-07 - 11:52
Smoking marijuana is so controversial, that I can't even go there. Some argue that it's good for medicinal reasons, others argue that it's poison.
But I can tell you what I DO know something about and then you can use your judgement from there.
Alcohol
There are two questions that have to be considered when the question of alcohol use and epilepsy comes up. One is the effect that alcohol could have on the medicines used to control seizures. Alcohol can be dangerous when mixed with sedative drugs and can cause coma, or even death. The other question is whether the alcohol itself will cause seizures.
Large amounts of alcohol are thought to raise the risk of seizures and may even cause them. When you drink alcohol, it may temporarily reduce seizures for a few hours, but then increases the chances of a seizure as the alcohol leaves your body.
Cigarette Smoking
Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant to the central nervous system. The nicotine in cigarettes acts on receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, which increases neuronal firing.
But if you want to STOP smoking, here’s a piece of scary information: some nicotine preparations used to help people stop smoking can have a side effect of convulsions. So, if you’re thinking of quitting, check out your smoking cessation program with your doc first.
Caffeine
Much like nicotine, caffeine stimulates the nervous system. Adrenaline is released and the liver begins to emit stored blood sugar. Insulin is then released, and blood sugar drops below normal—a common seizure trigger. And caffeine can be a “stealth” drug, too. It can be found as an ingredient in medications, including some antihistamines and decongestants.
Good luck at school! Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Smoking marijuana is so controversial, that I can't even go there. Some argue that it's good for medicinal reasons, others argue that it's poison.
But I can tell you what I DO know something about and then you can use your judgement from there.
Alcohol
There are two questions that have to be considered when the question of alcohol use and epilepsy comes up. One is the effect that alcohol could have on the medicines used to control seizures. Alcohol can be dangerous when mixed with sedative drugs and can cause coma, or even death. The other question is whether the alcohol itself will cause seizures.
Large amounts of alcohol are thought to raise the risk of seizures and may even cause them. When you drink alcohol, it may temporarily reduce seizures for a few hours, but then increases the chances of a seizure as the alcohol leaves your body.
Cigarette Smoking
Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant to the central nervous system. The nicotine in cigarettes acts on receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, which increases neuronal firing.
But if you want to STOP smoking, here’s a piece of scary information: some nicotine preparations used to help people stop smoking can have a side effect of convulsions. So, if you’re thinking of quitting, check out your smoking cessation program with your doc first.
Caffeine
Much like nicotine, caffeine stimulates the nervous system. Adrenaline is released and the liver begins to emit stored blood sugar. Insulin is then released, and blood sugar drops below normal—a common seizure trigger. And caffeine can be a “stealth” drug, too. It can be found as an ingredient in medications, including some antihistamines and decongestants.
Good luck at school! Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com