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Food-Triggered Siezures

Sun, 05/18/2008 - 14:10
So I have never found a trigger my siezures beyond them occuring around my period...but I think I might be on to something. Maybe even something that might give me the origin to my seizures- since they haven't found anything on my CT scans or MRI. I went out for Thai food this week and last to a specific place. I had a small siezure right after eating both times. The first time I didn't think much of it since I was on my period, but it was my only one that week (odd, I didn't have more that cycle) but the second time I looked at my plate suspiciously. I had crab rangoon both times, but I had it once before at this place and didn't react so *scratch*... However, I recalled the number of times in the past four years that my seziues began at the dinner table. Some of my worst ones began at the dinner table. Could I have an allergy to something? Why would I not be reacting to it more often outside the time of my period? Some minor research does pull up that allergies are stronger during menstration. Could I be more predisposed to a reaction then when my seizure threshhold is lower as is? I'm going to have to keep track of what I eat now. Does anyone else have anything similar to this, or heard of it? Is it a possibility?

Comments

Re: Food-Triggered Siezures

Submitted by Masterjen on Sun, 2010-08-29 - 14:53
Based on personal experience, I would suggest getting tested for gluten intolerance, which may end up leading to testing for Celiac Disease if the blood work is positive. There is a connection between CD and seizures/epilepsy, because CD can have neurological manifestations with or without intestinal signs. Some (but not all) studies have shown a higher incidence of CD (as much as 1/40) among those with epilepsy than among the general population (1 in 133). In my case, I am still undergoing investigation of my seizures, but I was diagnosed with one condition then the other within a 3-month time period, so I can't help but think I am one of the ones where they are related.

Re: Food-Triggered Siezures

Submitted by mattshelley on Sun, 2010-08-29 - 15:06
Just to throw this out. Consider the possibility that the potassium loss due to CD is what is causing the problem, not the CD itself. Low potassium is high on my list of triggers and I have to choke down bananas as a result. I truly despise bananas and wish there was another choice. Unfortunately, I have found that they are the best and fastest way, besides eating paint chips : ), to get potassium into my system.

Re: Food-Triggered Siezures

Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Sat, 2011-02-19 - 14:10
Both food sensitivities and allergies can definitely trigger seizures. Especially foods that are rich in glutamate and aspartame – two very excitatory amino acids. The color yellow can also be a trigger. MSG can be a killer. This is where it gets scary. MSG is hidden in more foods and ingredients than you’d ever dream of. Here are some examples: “Enriched”, fermented, protein fortified, ultra pasteurized, broth, bouillon, caramel flavoring, corn syrup, cornstarch, dry milk solids, natural flavoring, gelatin, gums, malt extract, milk powder, modified food starch, potassium glutamate, seasonings, soy protein, soy sauce or extract, stock, vitamin “enriched,” whey protein, yeast extract and yeast nutrients. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com

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