Posted by Kori on 5/24/2009, 12:01:27, in reply to "Re: Epileptic War"
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Jason,
It's quite likely that 7 hours sleep is not enough. Teens should get 8 or 9 hours anyway, and with the epilepsy I would really suggest it. I know it can be strange that the effect isn't right away... but it can take days for something that you did to cause the seizure.
A change in the meds is likely needed. An actual change to one or even a combo of different meds, probably. As Sysop mentioned, there are changes that happen when you are a teen. Myself, I take a combo of 3 different meds - one has a long term effect (if I skip it it can take up to a week before I have a seizure) and two that are shorter acting.
Other things that have been linked to seizures: certain foods (different for different people), dieting, not getting enough of certain vitamins, lack of exercise, fluorescent lights, regular meds we take for pain or illness that interfere with anti-seizure meds (I cannot take any of the pennicillin family, for example, because they block one of my anti-seizure meds). Plus.... STRESS.
Here is my big suggestion, since you seem very keen to track down some ways to reduce the seizures. For a few months (not a few weeks... you need to look longer term) keep a journal where you record everything you eat, when you sleep, when you are on computer, when you study, when you have your tests (and anything else stressful), etcetera. Put in the times, plus include any time that you have a seizure.
Include when you are in buildings that have fluorescent lights. Include your vitamins, any caffeine intake (including chocolate, sadly), and water.
You might start to see a pattern. Remember that anything that does have an effect can take a while.
For right away... stop drinking any pop or coffee or tea. Or, only as a real treat (I drink about 2 diet coke a week). Have a nap every day if you can. Get rid of any fluorescent lights in your house (including the "energy saving" ones, and see if your school is willing to remove some of the lights in the classrooms that you are in.
None of these things are certain to set off a seizure... everyone is different. Not a lot of research has been done on Epilepsy. The name really just says "has seizures" and you can have seizures for many many reasons.
You can also check out some of the epilepsy support groups that go big into "alternative' treatments. They have some good ideas (though I still stick with my meds, too).
Here's a site with a whole bunch of links you can try:
http://www.epilepsyontario.org/client/EO/EOWeb.nsf/web/Forums+&+Chat+lines
Good luck. Stay calm. It gets better. The bad times do pass.
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