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JME and recreational marijuana
Wed, 12/04/2019 - 18:56Hey everyone, I’ve been living with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy for about 13 years now. Seizures are under control but I’m really learning more about my condition. Things such as I should really avoid alcohol. So I wanted to know if I could use marijuana as a safe alternative?
Comments
Hi, Thank you for posting. We
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2019-12-05 - 11:17
Hi, Thank you for posting. We are glad to hear that you are wanting to learn more about JME and that you feel like your seizures are well controlled. It’s also important that you recognize your seizure triggers: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizuresMy Seizure Diary can help identify & track seizures, record medical history, set reminders, manage medications, side effects, moods, behaviors, recognizing triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare teamhttps://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Like you mentioned, moderate to heavy alcohol use is never recommended for people with epilepsy. Alcohol handsome seizure drugs have similar side effects. Using both at the same time can lead to bothersome and potentially dangerous problems: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/alcoholThe effects and risks of so-called recreational drugs vary greatly, they may directly affect the brain and seizures or interact with seizure medications: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/drug-abuse It’s important that you discuss this further with your healthcare team to review how marijuana use may affect your individual treatment plans and if you experience changes sides effects in seizure types/frequency, behaviors & symptomsLearn more about medical marijuana and questions to review with your healthcare team, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsyAdditionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline
I would ask your doctor
Submitted by natalie2152 on Tue, 2019-12-10 - 18:53
I would ask your doctor
HiI've been epileptic since
Submitted by joeycordless on Thu, 2019-12-05 - 09:32
HiI've been epileptic since 1996, bike accident. I have complex partial seizures. If I'm not mistaken, myoclonic is more of a "random twitch" type seizure where you are concious and normal the whole time? With regards to marijuana and alcohol, I am ashamed to say it but I have plenty of experience in that dept. I've been smoking weed for about 20 years. Weed isn't a trigger for me at all, in fact it keeps me nice and calm and I havent ever had a seizure from smoking it. I stopped drinking completely a few years ago, alcohol doesnt make me seizure BUT it nulifies the effect and balance of your medication, especially if you over do things...and dont mess with your dosage to "compensate" for a drinking night because that messes the whole balance up even more. You should do some research on "CBD oil" for myoclonic epilepsy, its quite amazing.