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Alcohol and seizures

Tue, 11/28/2006 - 22:22
I'm sure there have been many discussions on here about this, but I'm new. I need some help. I'm not epileptic, my seizures are caused from scar tissue in my brain. Result of a bad fall in my cheerleading days. I had my first seizure about 3 years ago and then one 2 years ago. My dr. said I have seizure activity on my brain and put me on Trileptal. I'm in college and love going out with my friends for a few drinks. I was wondering what everyone's take on drinking and E meds. are. I recently had a baby and want to go out, but I'm not sure about drinking. What could possibly happen? I don't want to binge drink or anything, just a few maybe. It doesn't seem possible that everyone with E or seizures doesn't drink! Help me!!! Thanks for listening. Anna

Comments

Re: Alcohol and seizures

Submitted by nizzle212 on Sat, 2008-11-15 - 01:46

The shitty thing about epilepsy is that it's a f-ing guessing game.


Yeah doctors tell you to try one medicine and it works great but then at some point you might get another seizure. Then they might tell you to go on another medication or add to the current meds. It works great... but then you might eventually get another seizure. Then they might tell you to increase your dosage. It really just depends on ther person regardless of the type of seizures (tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic, etc).

Some people are so frightened of drinking with legitimate reasons, but hey it might be ok. When I first started college, I refrained because I was too scared. Then one day I was in a really bad mood and I said f- it and drank. Fortunately nothing happened. So now I drink every now and then.

OVERALL, I think anyone with epilepsy shouldn't go overboard with acohol. I think if you get wasted,  you might be pushing it.


I believe that after a while, someone with epilepsy knows their body well that they know what they should or shouldn't do.

Me personally, I don't drink all the time, but when I go out I try to get at least a buzz or tipsy... not really further.


I take Lamictol (which I had to increase) AND Keppra and so far so good in terms of alcohol.


Like I said, it's different for everyone and all a guessing game.
I hope you find what works for you.

The shitty thing about epilepsy is that it's a f-ing guessing game.


Yeah doctors tell you to try one medicine and it works great but then at some point you might get another seizure. Then they might tell you to go on another medication or add to the current meds. It works great... but then you might eventually get another seizure. Then they might tell you to increase your dosage. It really just depends on ther person regardless of the type of seizures (tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic, etc).

Some people are so frightened of drinking with legitimate reasons, but hey it might be ok. When I first started college, I refrained because I was too scared. Then one day I was in a really bad mood and I said f- it and drank. Fortunately nothing happened. So now I drink every now and then.

OVERALL, I think anyone with epilepsy shouldn't go overboard with acohol. I think if you get wasted,  you might be pushing it.


I believe that after a while, someone with epilepsy knows their body well that they know what they should or shouldn't do.

Me personally, I don't drink all the time, but when I go out I try to get at least a buzz or tipsy... not really further.


I take Lamictol (which I had to increase) AND Keppra and so far so good in terms of alcohol.


Like I said, it's different for everyone and all a guessing game.
I hope you find what works for you.

Re: Alcohol and seizures

Submitted by big mike on Tue, 2009-02-10 - 20:07
I have siezures, since, brain tumor and stroke. no meds work.  When they get out of control, a beer or two get them under control.  So my meds can work. Go figure?

Re: Alcohol and seizures

Submitted by twin1 on Wed, 2009-02-11 - 19:11

I'm glad to see some of other people's experiences.  I drink socially, and have never had a problem, although I did have one the next day once.  But that was while I was weaning onto one drug and off of another, so I guess I was kinda pushing the envelope.  I have been on Lamictal, Depakote, and Tegritol, and have never had any real issues with any of them.  Incredibly, my doctor has suggested one 4 oz. drink of wine in the evening to help control the tremors I get from my Depakote & Lamictal! 

-Heather.

I'm glad to see some of other people's experiences.  I drink socially, and have never had a problem, although I did have one the next day once.  But that was while I was weaning onto one drug and off of another, so I guess I was kinda pushing the envelope.  I have been on Lamictal, Depakote, and Tegritol, and have never had any real issues with any of them.  Incredibly, my doctor has suggested one 4 oz. drink of wine in the evening to help control the tremors I get from my Depakote & Lamictal! 

-Heather.

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