New - Food-Triggered Siezures
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UPDATED: Tue, 03/18/2008 - 10:11am
Black....
Epilepsy triggers?
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hi
i've been diagnosed with Epilepsy for two months now so i'm quite new to this and i still dont know much about it.. my first seizure ever happend after i took a fluetab (i got it over the counter coz i felt a beginning of a cold) and about 20 minutes after i took it i had my first seizure ever.. two days later i woke with a small headache but by 7 that afternoon it grew to a pounding headache and it was becoming hard for me to even sit with the TV on even though i wasnt watching it just the noise of it was bothering me.. so i took panadol (also i got over the counter for my headaches) same thing happend i had another seizure and then 10 minutes later i had another seizure.. at the time i didnt know it was seizures i was having till i was rushed and admitted to the hosptial for 3 days and was diagnosed with epilepsy.. i was weird coz i use to always take panadol for my headaches but the past year or so my headaches have gotten worse and last longer.. i also have been experiencing an electic shocking feeling in my head for years but have gotten worse the last few years aswell.. another thing i would like to mention these seizures happend about 9 days b4 my period.. i havent taken any medication since for my headaches.. they could last anywhere from an hour up to 3 days.. i had two more fits after i started medication but they were all around the same time as my period.. also the last two seizures happend after i had an EEG done.. my questions are:
Could over the counter medicines be triggering my seizures? could my period or being close to time for me to start my period be a trigger as well? or the flashing lights? is it possible to have more than one trigger? and if they are trigges do i have to have a seizure right after having the trigger or not? the last fit i had which was yesterday happend the day after i had the EEG done but my period should be starting next week.. and the seizure b4 that happend after 5 days of takin an EEG and it was the same day that my period had finished..
sorry for writing to much but would really appreciate your answers..
By Black.... at Tue, 03/18/2008 - 10:11am | 434 views | 29 comments
Topic: Women With Epilepsy
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Recent Comments on this Discussion
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.
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.
Hi,
The only time I have seizures is when I am about to start my period or I am on my period. Doctors say it's commom in girls because of all the hormonal changes we go through. I started my period in 6th grade and a month later I started having seizures. And yes, flashing lights do trigger seizures. My friend can't even watch fireworks because they trigger her seizures. Also strobe lights can trigger seizures. Good luck and god bless. =).
~Kristena
Hello,
I have the normal ones and some strange triggers. The smell of vanilla, when I am in a vehicle and we are going through groves of trees in the daylight (the flashing of light ), and once I tried using "selsum blue" shampoo (awoke in bed three days later. ), then stress and lack of sleep. I can not eat chile powder, I love chile but it must be fresh or frozen.
I sure there are a few more but that just a few with me
Good Luck no alleykat
Hey there:
I got epilepsy when I was 12 - right after my period started! So, yes, seizures happen because our hormones go crazy with the menstruation. Some classical music and stress cause seizures for me.
A lot of things can cause seizures for people. Read up on it. Books really help.
I also get headaches. I read that headaches/migranes are common with epilepsy. Tell your doctor, because they can prescribe meds. What I take is Maxalt-mlt. It melts in your mouth and responds quickly.
Good Luck....
Triggers for me are always my period and at odd times: eating, but I don't know what.
Yesterday I ate for both lunch and dinner: seashell pasta, tomato, sausage, bay leaves, muenster cheese.
As soon as I was done with dinner I started getting the weird feeling and stared at the plates for what felt like eternity, until my roommates cleared out and left me sitting there. Finally I went to watch TV and couldn't control my head as it kept wanting to jerk to the right. Since it was light enough activity I kept fighting in the other direction, so I ended up looking like a bobble head doll. I kept thinking it would develop into my usual sz but luckily it faded away. I ate it earlier without incident...
OH! I also had some strawberries, angel cake, and Cool Whip my roomie gave me. Hmm...
It's possible it was just your period kicking in and the fluetab was a coincidence, esp. if you now consistently react to your period. It sounds as if you already had warning signs this was developing, the zapping sensations and such. I would probably take it again in the future and see what happens. If you don't seize then you know it wasn't your trigger, no sense avoiding something pointlessly. And if you do, you know to look for whatever ingredients in it that other things may have as well.
Has your doctor ever checked your metabolic system for protein issues. I found the root cause
for the seizures and migraine/auras was a metabolic disorder. I have to be on a limited
protein diet and take special medicine along with meds for migraines and seizures. Being
compliant has cut issues way down. Had hyst. so period is not issue. I do have to watch out
for weird triggers every day.
Hi-
I started having seizures when I was 4 and was put on meds. Then the docs said I "grew out of them" by age 13....they took me off of my meds and then I began having seizures again when I was 20. I've had them until just recently (now age 28). They seem to be in remission...if that makes any sense. I guess my body goes through phases? I hope this "dormant" phase lasts long enough for me to get pregnant a few times and have my kids before they start up again.
Mine are not around the time of my period, but seem to crop up when I am stressed. I discovered an unusual trigger recently. I am highly sensitive to MSG (the preservative used in chinese food). It used to just give me migraines when I ate it, but a few months ago, I had a seizure almost immediately after I ate some chinese food. I called the restaurant, and sure enough....they had used MSG. I had been seizure free for almost a year before that happened.
I've changed my diet a lot and that seems to help. My seizures are identical to what user "mangomelee" describes below. I'm guessing they also have temporal lobe seizures.
Basically, just watch what you eat....try to limit the amount of toxins you are taking into your body......buy organic if you can and limit alchohol, etc. Doing this has also helped with my migraines, as well as seizures. If your body has less to process and eliminate, it might get less overwhelmed and neurologically "jittery".
I am really sorry you are going through this. I hope things improve for you and you find some answers for your condition.
Peace, and God Bless you....
Jennifer
HI B, FIRST OF ALL THE CAPS ARE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE IMPAIRED VISION, I'M NOT SHOUTING AT YOU. MULTIPLE TRIGGERS ARE COMMON FOR SOME OF US BUT NOT ALL, OBVIOUSLY. SOMETIMES SMELLS, LIGHTS, AND THE BIG ONE ANXIETY OR PRESSURE, CAN BE TO BLAME. HAVING TO GO FOR AN EEG CAN PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON US, AND THIS COULD BE A FACTOR.
LAVENDER IS OFTEN RECOMMENDED FOR CALMING PEOPLE DOWN, PERHAPS THE SCENT OF LAVENDER COULD HELP TO BALANCE OUT THE SITUATION - IF THE ANXIETY WAS A TRIGGER. CHECK WITH THE USE OF LAVENDER WITH YOUR DR FIRST, DON'T JUST FOLLOW MY LEAD. HOPE THIS HELPS.
TLBY&KY
ADZ
HI, EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH E. FOR BETTER PART OF 40 YRS, ONLY LAST FEW YRS I'VE BEEN MORE AWARE OF TRIGS. IT WAS IN EFFECT ALL THOSE YRS, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE. FOOD- WISE, RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT 'GINGER' IS A TRIG. FOR ME.
AMPLIFIED SOUNDS-VOICES AND MUSIC, ESPECIALLY PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS. BACK IN ERA OF SOUND SYSTEMS WITH LARGE FLOOR SPEAKERS, HAD TO STOP ATTENDING CERTAIN EVENTS, ESPEC. IN ENCLOSED BUILDINGS--CLUBS, CONCERT ROOMS ETC. AT OUTDOOR EVENTS, HAD TO MOVE FAR AWAY FROM SPEAKERS. EVEN LIVE DRUMMING WOULD AFFECT ME AT TIMES, BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHY. RECENTLY STOPPED LISTENING TO SOME 'RELAXATION/MEDITATION/YOGA CD'S BECAUSE OF THE CHIME-LIKE , HIGH PITCHED SOUNDS. LEFT LAST CHURCH WHEN THEY SET UP SOUND SYSTEM( FOR BAND & CHOIR-VOL. WOULD BE UP HIGH, AND IT WAS HORRIBLE FOR ME); ALSO GOT RID OF MOST OF MY WIND-CHIMES--FOR THE SAME REASON. CONTEMPORARY MUSIC W LOTS OF HEAVY BASE ARE PROB. TOO. THIS MAY SOUND STRANGE, BUT A PERSON RIGHT NEXT TO ME SPEAKING IN VERY LOUD, HARSH OR HIGHPITCHED VOICE FOR LONG PERIODS ALSO HAS SIMILAR EFFECT. EVEN USING COMPUTER AND SCROLLING UP/DOWN REPEATEDLY AND READING LOTS OF PRINT ON SCREEN. CROSSING STREETS WITH RUSHING SINGLE/DOUBLE LANE TRAFFIC IS SO HARD AND SCARY FOR ME. USUALLY TRY TO FIND PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT JUNCTION W TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ISN'T ALWAYS THERE.
REACTIONS: I GET A FUNNY SENSATION IN THE PIT OF MY STOMACH; SOMETIMES ALMOST SICK, NAUSEOUS FEELING; STRANGE ACHY FEELING IN HEAD; FUNNY SENSATION BEHIND EYES; FUNNY RIPPLING, JITTERY SENSATION UP AND DOWN AND THROUGH MY BODY; FEEL UNFOCUSED AND OUT-OF-SYNC. IF I REMAIN IN SITUATION, GET HEADACHE, JUMBLED THOUGHTS AND SPEECH, AND WHAT I CALL THE 'SEIZURY FEELING'
KNOW THAT WAS A LOT. THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO SHARE. PEACE & HARMONY
MANGOM, YOU HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME TRIGGERS I DO, BUT SOME YOU MENTION DON'T BOTHER ME. I HAVE A LOT OF MEDITATION CDS. I THINK I WILL START PAYING ATTENTION AND LET YOU KNOW IF I HAVE SOME THAT DON'T HAVE THE TRIGGERS YOU MENTIONED. IT'S REALLY SAD THAT YOU HAVE SO MANY TRIGGERS, ESPECIALLY TO MUSIC THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR MEDITATION. THE DOCS HERE RECOMMEND MEDITATION FOR SEIZURES.
I WISH YOU PEACE, LOVE, BLESSINGS, JOY.........JAN
I USE ALL CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.
Hi jan, Hope all's good with you. Just rereading your comment from Sunday. thinking about it, it's not all that bad. Am such a passionate music lover, that i substitute with selections from other genres that have the same positive effect. Also look forward to getting the names of any in yr set, that are minus the trigggers.
Thanks in advance.
Peace & Harmony
WELL, I AM GLAD YOU CAN LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC! SO FAR, THE CDS I MENTIONED ALL HAVE TRIGGERS FOR YOU. I THINK I WILL TRY SOME I HAVEN'T LISTENED TO IN A WHILE AND SEE HOW THEY ARE! I DON'T KNOW IF PLAYING THE MUSIC VERY QUIETLY HELPS, BUT IT DOES HELP ME AT TIMES. ANOTHER THING I WONDERED ABOUT.........DO YOU HAVE A WAY TO MAKE CDS WITH ONLY THE MUSIC YOU CAN TOLERATE ON THEM? I NOTICE SOME THAT I HAVE DON'T HAVE YOUR TRIGGERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CD. YOU MAYBE COULD TOLERATE PARTS OF DIFFERENT CDS. WHY DON'T YOU BLOG? I DON'T KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT YOU!
I ALSO JUST REMEMBERED THAT AT TIMES EVEN THE NOISE FROM THE FRIG REALLY BOTHERS ME. DOES THAT HAPPEN TO YOU OR ANYONE ELSE, I WONDER?
I WISH YOU PEACE, LOVE, BLESSINGS, JOY.........JAN
I USE ALL CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.
My seizures are IDENTICAL to yours, but my triggers are different. It's amazing how eloquently you put how it feels to have a seizure. I've never met anyone who has them the same way I do. Nice to know I'm not alone! Glad I found this website.
God Bless,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, thank you posting those comments about the similarity in seizure. I feel heaps better !! It isnice to know one is not alone. Even though you know what you know, it's very frustrating to explain to others, and even those who want to understand, just seem unable to. It's worse when you're dealing with health professionals who just don't listen or simply dismiss you & those experiences.
This topic is of special interest to me since I deal with multiple food intolerances/sensitivities. (And other substances as well-- try creating a fragrance-controlled environment in a society teeming wiith fashionable scents, and chemical odours). Reading all the comments about the link between periods & hormonal changes and sz activity, makes me believe that had somethinfg to do with the presence and frequency of certain types of szs I experienced years ago. I'll continue to be vigilant about what i put in & on my body, and surround myself with in the immediate environment that i do have some control over.
Peace & Harmony!
Hi,
The triggers I have gotten have changed through the years. When I was in grade school, it was usually a certain taste or smell that triggered seizures. Now, with my seizures changing over the years it's usually colors or things I see that trigger seizures. I noticed that sometimes print will bring on seizures and also when I do a lot of beadwork after awhile, it seems like it's just too much stimulation to take in. As a whole it seems like when there is too much I see to take in or colors. I also get them by stop lights and in the winter if I'm walking the brightness of the snow triggers some. One other kind of feeling I get with auras but not all the time is a jumpiness kind of feeling where I have to quick go into another room away from everyone or thing, and close the door. It sounds more like a panic attack but a seizure follows it, or at least a start of one. I have the vns implant also, so the magnet sometimes will stop them.
prosessed foods caffine sugar a lot of carbs at a time
I was diagnosed about 1.5 years ago and this last winter I got really sick(cold) and the tylenol cold doesnt seem to cause any episodes. But i also have horrible daily headaches and my doctor prescribed a nasal spray for migraines and it caused really bad episode were I was hearing voices. Not fun... So since then I do not mess with any meds unless I have consulted my epilepsy dr. I strongly suggest seeing a epilepsy specialist not just a neuroligist. PS I tried topamax and it did help with the seizures just the migraines and deja vu feeling. hope this helps!!!!
Flashing lights menstrual cycle are definitly triggers for women not all women have the same triggers but the menstral cycle was a big one for me and for the longest time I could not figure out why every time I had my period I would have a seizure It got to the point I had to have a hysterectomy it was so badand with the over the counter meds you have to be very careful what you take it depends on what you took.
I know how you feel. I can not take any kid of over the counter drugs they case me to have a seizure.So the colds season I have to be extra careful around people. As well I did have seizures the first couple of days of period but my doctor up my meds and it seems to me working so far.
Some medicines do cause seizures! Since you've been diagnosed with E have you noticed seizure activity close to your time of the month? AED's and Epilepsy affect hormones!
Yes Actually it is close to my month now.. have about 9 days b4 it should start and i'm starting to have migraines and the shooting electric like pain in my head now for a few days.. and ya i had one seizure on the last day of my period and then three days ago i had one also.. thats the only two seizures i have had since i've been on my AED's and my first seizures happend also around my period time(a week b4) but i'm not sure if it was my period or the pills i took(panadol,fluetab) that triggerd them
HI, I WAS READING THRU ALL THE REPLIES TO YOUR QUESTIONS AND IF I AM RIGHT, A COUPLE OF THINGS WERE NOT MENTIONED. FIRST, YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR DOC ABOUT OTHER MEDS YOU TAKE. SECOND, THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT TRIGGERS, SOME ARE 'AURAS', OR ALL CAN BE. AURAS ARE SMALL SEIZURES. THEY CAN HAPPEN FOR WEEKS BEFORE A SEIZURE, OR SECONDS BEFORE. THE BEST WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT IS GOING ON IS TO USE THE SEIZURE DIARY ON THIS SITE, OR KEEP A JOURNAL OF OTHER MEDS TAKEN, FOOD EATEN, ACTIVITY, ETC. THE MORE YOU KEEP TRACK OF THE MORE YOU WILL KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH YOU AND THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH YOUR DOC. HOPE THAT HELPS! I AM SORRY YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH E. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU AREN'T ALONE!
I WISH YOU PEACE, LOVE, BLESSINGS, JOY.........JAN
I USE ALL CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED.
I was diagnosed about 2.5 years ago. It seems like we have a monthly trigger in common. Most likely it is your hormone levels during the time you are having about to have or just off your period. Estrogen and Progestrogen levels have a lot to do with our brain chemistry and can change a lot of things for those of us who have epilepsy. When I first started having seizures I would have simple partial seizures out of the blue, experiencing de ja vu and some pretty freaky tingling feelings. I dismissed them for months and decided I had repressed childhood memories or something.. Thn I had my first tonic clonic seizure right after i had gotten off my period. Then the next month it happened again. I decided then to see a doctor. I have found no reason for my seizures. But my menstrul cycle is a time when I am always very aware of what is going on around me. I am still not sure that this is my only trigger. I once thought maybe carrots too.
Keep a journal of what you eat and any meds you take even if you are a drinker. In my research I have found just about anything can be a trigger. I hope your seizures stay in control. If there is someone with you all the time work out a signal to let them know you feel something coming on if you have Auras. I almost always have a warning before and it is a great relief that I have someone to catch me if I fall.
Michele K
I just wanted to say Hi to everyone, and thanks alot for posting all of these. I am 6 1/2 months pregnant, and was just diagnosed with Epilepsy recently. I have appearently had it for years, but never had medical insurance, and the people I was surrounded by were not very supportive, and never noticed when I mentioned feeling off. I too thought the entire time I was just having panic attacks, because of weird child hood experiances, and weird triggers, until I started having grand mal siezures, at the start of my pregnancy.
I've had epilepsy for 30 years now. It started when I was 12, when my periods started.
They can definitely cause seizures! Headaches and migraines are also side affects to epilepsy. Anything could cause a seizure.
The period, classical music, and STRESS are triggers for me. Stress is a biggie, it makes my body over-react. I came to the conclusion long ago the stress can kill. I've been getting a Depo-provera shot for my periods. It's a type of birth control and it USED to stop my seizures. It also stops the period, for me. I've been getting it for 12+ years and it's time to stop. It really helps the cramps. The shot is given every 3 months. The neuros say to get it every 2 months - because of the meds.
Books about the epilepsy help a lot. "Epilepsy: A new approach - what medicine can do; what you can do for yourself" By Adrienne Richard & Joel Reiter MDs. This book talks about it and everything you'd want and need know. I don't know if you tell people about the epilepsy, but it really helps if you do.
I hope this helps
Triggers for me:
Definitely my monthly cycle (the start and ovulation times are worst)
Being overly tired
Possibly at least certain antihistamines
Are any of you an ASTHMA medicine? I can't use my Albuterol inhaler because it bothers my seizures. I shake and jerk so bad. Any recommendations as to what to suggest to my doctor as an alternative to my current rescue inhaler? I am also on Advair and I despise it because of the steroids and side effects. Any suggestions?