I was 19 when I was diagnosed with Grand Mal Siezures. Had to give up a lot of things like lifting heavy weights when working out, drinking and not driving off and on. I had siezures every month till I was age 26. My weight is 192. Medication taken keprra 2500 mg + lamictal 1500 mg (daily) pretty high dosage. Dropped weight by 20 lbs and kept it off. No alchohol at all. Sleeping 8 hours a day. This is what is working for me. I used to be up late at nights and now I sleep on time everyday. I did have accupunture done to relieve stress for 2 years. I don't use a method to relieve stress, just don't worry about anything just relax whether at working, fighting with spouse anything you do don't stress. Since 2006 I have been siezure free. Correct mix of medicine, sleeping, no drinking, don't take weight loss drugs, don't stress. You can contact me if you have any questions.

Great site. It's very interesting to see that a number of people mentioned sugar. I recently came to the conclusion that excessive sugar (4 Oreos) was causing my absence seizures (tingling in the right arm, short dream/catatonic state followed by stomach ache and, in extreme cases, vomiting, need for a BM and need to sleep). Excessive caffeine (Starbucks) will sometimes appear to be a trigger, but other times it just spaces me out like I'm over-dosing, so I'm not sure and continue to drink lots of non-Starbuck half decaf coffee.

Another trigger that affects me and is mentioned by a couple people is close computer work, or any close work. For example, I was trying to figure out how to do something on my cell phone while waiting for a bus. The bus came and went, but I just stood there. After "waking up" I realized what had just happened, remembered hearing the bus.

And just a caution: watch out for generic versions of Dilantin. For me they don't seem to work that well. My neurologist didn't believe me, even when I sent him an article that supported my experience, but I insisted that I be put back on brand name Dilantin anyway.

Mainly for me its not sleeping or eating well that makes it happen. When my epilepsy started it was mybody  only tensing lightly when I had first fainted. My doctor foundout and without really talking to me about it instantly he put me on Epilim which i wasn't really sure what it was quite for or wether i really needed this thing,but my mum said don't mess with me or the socalled doc about it and just take your bloody pills!! So i took these new Epilim pills and within aday or two i had the most horrible electric seizer fit ever which id never ever had before which i feel messed me up forever now!!! The doc never really gave me a chance to explain or for him to tell me more, apart from to be a lab rat I feel!!! Since those weeks with the epilim I've been stuck on Tegretol all my life!! My point to you is don't just take something unless you feel you know enough first about what its for!!!!  They reckon my problem is cos i got hit by a drunken driver when i was young maybe, but I know eversince i had that fit on that Epilim i ain't been the same=It did me brain damage!!! Didnt ever need that?? Maybe i was gona get or had epilepsy anyway and it wasnt the only cause, but i could do with not wanting to strangle my doctor forever and feeling used!!!!! Regards to anyone who has epilepsy or a similiar feeling on their sitch!!! 

my triggers are mostly public washrooms, I assume it is the shiny fixures, but if I pee for too long the feelings get stronger and I HAVE to leave right away. So now I pee with a half full bladder at the most to minimize time at the urinal .

Most of the day it's managable. If I recognise the early signs and I can go somewhere, do something else and mellow out and try to not get pulled into the whirl-pool that starts my GM's.

it could be the medication interacting with each other and i doubt that its your period thats causing it. also with the flashing lights thats a good possibility...it means your photoconvoulsive. thats what i am. flashing light causes me to seize.

It is very likely that you have multiple seizure triggers.  Medications could certainly contribute.  I would check with your doctor.  It seems that when I experience one or more triggers at the same time, I am likely to have a seizure.

I have found that hormonal changes just before or after my period, and at ovulation, definitely are a factor with grand mal or milder seizures.  I just had a grand mal on 11/04 and got my period the next day.  I am in my mid 50's and going through perimenopause.  I had only had 3 grand mals in my life until 2 years ago.  I have had multiple GM seizures since then, and am sure they are often due to hormonal changes.  (Puberty was awful!)

Stress is another thing that can exacerbate or bring on seizures for me.  I'm not a hyper person, but I have learned that I have to watch out for stresses related to hectic schedules, my job, emotional stress - I even have to watch how involved I get with news, politics, etc.  (Not that I do not stay in touch and involved  . . . .)  Stress is a tricky one to watch for, but you have to learn to monitor yourself and "catch yourself" if you begin to feel stressed out over something.  Stop, take some slow deep breaths, and find strategies to defuse the stress.  I often remind myself it isn't worth getting upset about, and try to do something positive to deal with it (praying, walking, etc.)

Not getting enough sleep is another seizure trigger.  It's hard, but I am trying to get enough sleep.  My husband has noticed that a change in my schedule also seems to be stressful for me.  Flashing lights and hyperventilating also cause me to have seizures.  These last two are often used during EEGs to evoke a seizure so more information about your seizure type(s) can be determined.

If you are not seeing a neurologist already on a regular basis, I would highly recommend doing so.  It sounds like you have been dealing with epilepsy for quite awhile, and medications could help you get it controlled.  It can take awhile to find the right meds and dosages, but I believe most people with epilepsy can get some measure of control with meds.  Make sure your neurologist checks into those headaches, too. 

I hope by now you are doing better!  Take care & God bless.

Karen

"You sure you're alright?" I've been virtually a parade-leader when it comes to telling people that I have epilepsy, the common neurological malfunction (not "disease" per se), but in doing so I can't help noticing how anybody sharing a meal, an entertainment event, everyday activities or communication requiring more than instant-to-instant feedback from me cannot stop themselves from asking this question. "You sure you're alright, my friend?" I can be putting down a fork while enjoying my scrambled eggs with cheese in the morning. Looking through my wallet to find my dry cleaning receipt when picking up something that's ready. Or even trying to find the right key to use in my building's front door. While a friendly inquiry is appreciated, I've come to see that this kind is asked far too many times. Maybe to the point where I wonder if I am not appearing well. No, don't stop the interest, buddies. More of it would keep this world of ours friendlier. But except for an occasional call from "Mama Neurology" when I truly feel a seizure arriving, I am fine and loving all the great moments I've been given.

Flashing lights and I are mortal enemies. I actually got nailed one day because my company was doing a promotional photo shoot. For most people, a flashing light is just a flash, to me it's the equivalent of lightning going off inside my head. Much as I appreciate the work that the firemen and the emt's do, whenever they pass I have to shade my eyes. And whenever I see a flashing light in a store for an advertising come-on, I always mention to the store owner that it's a bad idea as the extra couple of bucks it might get them would be more than offset by the business they would lose if someone has a seizure in their store in front of the light. Usually they take the light down in a minute or two.

As to the OTC meds, most of them are variations of 'speed'. Whenever you see something that ends in 'ine', it's a stimulant. I'm not sure if it's a problem for me, but I try to avoid them anyway. Why bother taking the risk.

And yes, it's definitely possible to have more than one trigger. The trick is to figure out what yours are and learn to avoid them. I'm sure that sooner or later I'll trip over other ones that I wasn't aware of and discover more things that I have to avoid. Oh Joy.

Matt

Matt

Hi,

Flashing lights or what looked like flashing mitochondria have been in my program ever since I knew seizures!  I usually will try to walk it off or I get nauseated and hit the bathroom to throw up and the next thing I knew I don't remember.  The flashing lights will go to one eye and grow from  left to right.  It started during my 2nd menstral cycle.  I thought it was the official curse of the menstrual cycle.  WHen I was away from home, I woke up in the ER  quite often each time they informed my parents the reason for the fever and the change of color  in my face, limp on my one side, and  it was do to the seizure disorder.   The emergency room refered me to a nice neurologist that I saw for about 20 years.  It is kinda funny when your younger you think it is normal and and then they have to tell you it is abnormal especially the headache that follows a seizure at times.  When I got older I found out they were migraines that followed the seizures.  That is why I like the dark room!

Now, stress, raising a family,  loud music, flickering lights,  smells,  and other things cause my sz.

I have had 2 surgeries and a VNS, my system reacts differently and has different auras in addition.

Worry Cause Seizures -- Or Seizures Cause Worry?

I know that sounds like a dumb question, but over the years I've noticed that when I get too overly-concerned about anything, I can count on a seizure hitting me in the next couple of days. But then, I sometimes think that if I haven't had a seizure for a while, I'll start to think too much about when and where it'll happen! Sure, caffeine brings on my short temper and dizziness, but am in trying to phase coffee and other goodies containing caffeine out of my intake entirely. But then, blinking lights, being overtired, the roasting-hot summertime weather, even headcolds can do evil things to my neuro system. Man, if all of we 55-million people 'round the world who have epilepsy would volunteer to be so-called "lab rats" for testing purposes, an answer might be found. My friends, you're not alone!

Drinking alcohol isn't really the trigger for me. It seems to be the dehydration and lack of sleep of the hangover the next morning! Not to mention I tend to forget my meds when I party :( Also, it must fall on the 3-7 day's of my period. Because of this I had my progesterone levels tested at different stages of my cycle. It drops way down in the beginning! This may be a cause.I can definitely tell you that I am sensitive to allot of things but they don't ever actually result in seizures. 

I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 20 years old.  I am know 42 and still having them. Not as ofter but when I do it is always before my menstrual cycle.  I usually increase my meds at that time which seems to be helpful but not completely under control.  I have been told to avoid flashing or strobe lights.  It is extremely frustrasting not knowing when the next one will come along.  I exprerience grand mal seizures which only last less than a minute but in the beginning they could last up to 15 minutes.  I was in a really bad car accident when I was 23 yrs. old.  I woke up in the ambulance and didn't even know what happened.  I walked away without even a bruise.  Flipped my car 3 times and totaled it.  Luckily no one else got hurt.  Ever since that day I fear driving all the time.  Life does go on but it sucks.  I currently take 500 mg. Keppra twice daily.  I also take 400 mg twice daily of Lamactical. It just seems that everytime I talk to my doctor he just keeps increasing the meds.  When does it stop?  I feel your frustration.  I always try to focus on the fact it could be alot worst.  I had a friend at 37 who died of cancer leaving a 5 year old, and a 2 year old without a mother.  It does get easier. 

I haven't been able to identify too many of my triggers as there doesn't seem to be any kind of consistency with me, but I've definately noticed that the ketogenic diet did REMARKABLE things for me, bringing my fits down from up to 180 per day to 4 whole months where I was totally fit-free.  In general though, gluten and sugar are two things I've learnt to ignore completely - and apparently these are incredibly common!  As epileptics, we need to keep our blood sugar levels as stable as possible, so high fats and proteins can be beneficial / low GL diet.  It's worth a try - and elps lose weight too, so there's a double bonus!  Skiing was also BAD news as was a cruise

I have many things trigger my seizures

Period sometimes which they gave me diamox to take around then an has helped it.

Acatone triggers my seizures which is in fingernail ploish remover to  paint thinner to many other things.

Certian types heat cause me to have seizures

Video games from Nintendos Certian games

 To Much Green Tea since green tea speeds up my matabolism

Not Enough Rest causes them also

An Yogurt it interacts with meds even my doctor said he could told me that.

I was diagnosed with Epilespy when I was 11. Since I have have had atleast 100 seizures and I am now 18. So a lot fewer than some people. I noticed my biggest triggers are flashing lights and stress. I had my worst one a few years ago when friends and I went to get pizza. In the pizza place a light was getting ready to blow and was flickering really fast. I noticed it was bothering my eyes so I walked outside, but later that night at our lil girly get together I had a horrible grand mal. So I have learnt to try to avoid things like that. As I am sure you have all noticed most epileptics have very sensitive eyes.

Hi,

I also feel like my period triggers my epilesy. Just found out one week ago, that for sure it was seizures.