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Alcohol - Need Help Quickly
Wed, 12/29/2010 - 15:44Topic: Teen Zone
Hello,
I'm 14 years old and i have been invited to some New Years parties and now i finally made a decision.In my 14 years of life i have never tasted alcohol(except small amounts of rum in cakes) and now that i'm going to a party and know there will be drinking i was wondering what are the rules about this.I was diagnosed with epillepsy in Summer this year and during my time in hospital one guy who was also in a hospital, but not because of epillepsy, told me that now that i'm taking meds can't drink any alcohol, very suprisinglly my doctor said nothing about alcohol.Now i went a bit on internet and tried to see if there's anything i should now, and some people are saying they can drink alot and nothing will happen to them, some are saying they don't drink because they are diagnosed with epillepsy and i even hear that it might happen(tho i never heard that it did) that someone gets a seizure after one drink.Also i have had 0 seizures after my first one.So i definatley don't want to drink alot of alcohol, but i don't know where i'm standing with this so i hoped someone could help me.
Comments
Re: Alcohol - Need Help Quickly
Submitted by subarde on Thu, 2010-12-30 - 06:19
WOW, thanks so much for that detailed explanation.Thanx to this i've made a decision i'm not drinking.This has def changed my points of view ;).
Re: Alcohol - Need Help Quickly
Submitted by dbrownpilot on Thu, 2010-12-30 - 12:54
I'm glad to hear that you've made that decision. Drinking is one of the worst things to do with aeds. You never know what the results will be. Epilepsy has enough of it's own risks without adding more risks to it. You've made the right decision. PLEASE stick with it. Alcohol is very dangerous for you.
Re: Alcohol - Need Help Quickly
Submitted by seakats on Wed, 2010-12-29 - 17:57
I'm sure you've been told that drinking for a 14 y.o. is a no-no. Alcohol isn't the epitome of being an adult or having fun. It can lead to unforseen circumstances. Here's a list of reasons NOT to drink. Before you skip over it because you've made your decision, PLEASE read these. It could save your life.
I had a closed head injury and epilepsy as a result of it from a teen that decided that getting drunk and driving was more important than others' (my) safety. I was almost killed. That could be you. Their immaturity and willingness to take chances often put teens who use alcohol or other drugs in particularly dangerous places, such as behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Few teens understand the potential dangers of drugs. There is a good reason that the drinking age is 21.
Seizure Control
Other than those reasons, yes, alcohol does impair the effectiveness of seizure control. And when you have a seizure, you're even more vulnerable. Studies show that between 10 and 25% of newly diagnosed cases of epilepsy in adults may show chronic alcohol abuse as a risk factor.
The doctor may not have told you about alcohol or even THOUGHT about it since you are 14. But alcohol and aeds don't mix. Do NOT drink if you are taking aeds. I'm 32 and can't drink. I never really was into that drinking scene but I used to have a glass of wine with dinner on special occasions. I can't any more.
Teens with epilepsy should know that alcohol can worsen seizure control. In addition, the combination of seizure medicines and alcohol can have a strong sedative effect. When excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed, the combination can be dangerous.
If you're in a social situation and "have to" look like you're drinking (not good friends if this is the case), ask for an Italian soda. It's club soda with any flavoring you want and you can add cream (I do). I drink that in coffee shops as I can't risk the caffeine (one of my triggers).
PLEASE stay out of these situations. If you are ANYWHERE in this scene, do not take your eyes off whatever you are drinking. There a lot more fun things to do in NY. Broadway plays, Ground Zero memorial (not fun, precisely, but meaningful), restaurants with different foods you've never tasted, the Statue of Liberty, etc. Here's a list: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/New_York_State/New_York_City-841252/Things_To_Do-New_York_City-TG-C-1.html
I'm sure you've been told that drinking for a 14 y.o. is a no-no. Alcohol isn't the epitome of being an adult or having fun. It can lead to unforseen circumstances. Here's a list of reasons NOT to drink. Before you skip over it because you've made your decision, PLEASE read these. It could save your life.
I had a closed head injury and epilepsy as a result of it from a teen that decided that getting drunk and driving was more important than others' (my) safety. I was almost killed. That could be you. Their immaturity and willingness to take chances often put teens who use alcohol or other drugs in particularly dangerous places, such as behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Few teens understand the potential dangers of drugs. There is a good reason that the drinking age is 21.
Seizure Control
Other than those reasons, yes, alcohol does impair the effectiveness of seizure control. And when you have a seizure, you're even more vulnerable. Studies show that between 10 and 25% of newly diagnosed cases of epilepsy in adults may show chronic alcohol abuse as a risk factor.
The doctor may not have told you about alcohol or even THOUGHT about it since you are 14. But alcohol and aeds don't mix. Do NOT drink if you are taking aeds. I'm 32 and can't drink. I never really was into that drinking scene but I used to have a glass of wine with dinner on special occasions. I can't any more.
Teens with epilepsy should know that alcohol can worsen seizure control. In addition, the combination of seizure medicines and alcohol can have a strong sedative effect. When excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed, the combination can be dangerous.
If you're in a social situation and "have to" look like you're drinking (not good friends if this is the case), ask for an Italian soda. It's club soda with any flavoring you want and you can add cream (I do). I drink that in coffee shops as I can't risk the caffeine (one of my triggers).
PLEASE stay out of these situations. If you are ANYWHERE in this scene, do not take your eyes off whatever you are drinking. There a lot more fun things to do in NY. Broadway plays, Ground Zero memorial (not fun, precisely, but meaningful), restaurants with different foods you've never tasted, the Statue of Liberty, etc. Here's a list: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/New_York_State/New_York_City-841252/Things_To_Do-New_York_City-TG-C-1.html