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Has anyone ever tried meditation in terms of helping to decrease the number/severity of seizures? Any luck?
Sat, 07/31/2010 - 18:37My chiropractor is a big fan of meditation (primordal sound meditation) and suggested this may help me control and/or prevent my seizures. Has anyone tried this and had any success? I haven't done any serious meditation training but have tried techniques used in books to help control/relieve stress and anxiety and it has helped with that but am curious if anyone has tried this with epilepsy especially the more serious meditators. I believe meditation may also be able to help me increase focus, concentration and memory which seem to be suffering as a result of being on Keppra. Any shared experiences would be great!
Barb G.
Comments
Re: Has anyone ever tried meditation
Submitted by BarbG on Sat, 2010-07-31 - 20:31
Thanks Kimkay,
Good to know. Where did you learn meditation? I got a meditation CD by Wayne Dyer and tried that but without much luck (but I am not the most patient person in the world either). My chiro insists that I should take a weekend long class in primordal sound meditation and use a mantra. I have been reading a book called The Joy of Living that is written by a Buddhist monk, I can't remember his name off the top of my head but I think it is something like Youngey Rinpoche (something after that). It is really good and has given me some good kind of tips for mini meditations which help. That and a visualization that I kind of accidentally discovered while I was reading his book have helped reduce stress levels so maybe indirectly they may reduce seizures over time since stress seems to be a factor in my last seizures, even if not an outright cause.
My seizures didn't start at birth either by the way. I had some in puberty (ages 13-17) and they stopped until age 46 when they restarted. I had one then (2 years ago) and one this past May followed by something a couple days later that wasn't a grand mal like I was used to having but not really sure what to call it. Am on Keppra right now which seems to control the seizures but affects my short term memory and energy level. All in all I still consider myself pretty lucky. Many have it much worse than me but...if I can limit seizures or med side effects with meditation, I am willing to try it.
thanks for your input!!
BarbG
Thanks Kimkay,
Good to know. Where did you learn meditation? I got a meditation CD by Wayne Dyer and tried that but without much luck (but I am not the most patient person in the world either). My chiro insists that I should take a weekend long class in primordal sound meditation and use a mantra. I have been reading a book called The Joy of Living that is written by a Buddhist monk, I can't remember his name off the top of my head but I think it is something like Youngey Rinpoche (something after that). It is really good and has given me some good kind of tips for mini meditations which help. That and a visualization that I kind of accidentally discovered while I was reading his book have helped reduce stress levels so maybe indirectly they may reduce seizures over time since stress seems to be a factor in my last seizures, even if not an outright cause.
My seizures didn't start at birth either by the way. I had some in puberty (ages 13-17) and they stopped until age 46 when they restarted. I had one then (2 years ago) and one this past May followed by something a couple days later that wasn't a grand mal like I was used to having but not really sure what to call it. Am on Keppra right now which seems to control the seizures but affects my short term memory and energy level. All in all I still consider myself pretty lucky. Many have it much worse than me but...if I can limit seizures or med side effects with meditation, I am willing to try it.
thanks for your input!!
BarbG
Re: Has anyone ever tried meditation
Submitted by Kimkay on Sat, 2010-07-31 - 20:16
Hi there! I definitely enjoy some meditation, usually with soft nature sounds. So far, my doctor and I have not found any decreased seizures due to meditation, but at least it helps pick me up emotionally. But I was not born with epilepsy - I suffered a head injury, so it could be that meditation might work for you, even if does not decrease seizure activity for me. I would still say it's probably worth a try! :) Best of luck!