Need Help With Seizures

[TheAbleChef]

I had a partial seizure 2 years before my accident. I was given Dilantin to prevent them from occurring again but I have had a couple since then due to alcohol intake. Sometimes when I am constipated the Dilantin raises in my body and I don't think straight. I stopped using marijuana over a month ago and want to stop drinking alcohol completely as well.

What I am getting at, is have you had a partial seizure(s) and stopped taking anti-seizure medication?

Thank you for your input.

[SCI-Nurse]

I am not sure what you mean by a partial seizure. Usually, besides blood levels of the drug seizure activity is followed with an EEG.
CKF

[TheAbleChef]

Originally Posted by SCI-Nurse

I am not sure what you mean by a partial seizure. Usually, besides blood levels of the drug seizure activity is followed with an EEG.
CKF

I have seizures where I am conscience. I don't think straight but I'm awake.

[hlh]

Who is writing your prescriptions for your dilantin? Are you followed by a neurologist to help you with this?

It sounds likely that you are at pretty significant risk for having another seizure. Clearly alcohol is a trigger for you, and other recreational drugs may also put you at risk for another seizure. You need to try to back down on using these.

Regardless, dilantin is not a great seizure medicine for treating partial seizures. Who started you on that? It also has lots of side effects, and it's blood levels can vary and as you have learned, if they get to high you can get goofy and it can screw up your balance. These days, there are better drugs with fewer side effects.

You need to see a neurologist and ask about alternatives to dilantin. Lamictal and Keppra are very good ones for partial seizures that are very well tolerated, don't require you to do much testing of blood levels, and have fewer side effects.

But please be careful and do not suddenly stop taking your dilantin. That can actually provoke a seizure, and sometimes a bad one (complex - where you become unconscious).

Do you know why you have seizures? You need to see a neurologist, find out if you need an MRI of the brain or an EEG, if it was not done in the past. If you are seizure free for 2 years or so, some doctors will be willing to slowly taper your seizure medication, after doing another EEG to be sure your brain is less seizure prone.

But your first step is seeing the right doctor, and getting off of yucky dilantin.

[melodiclogic22]

AbleChef,

Do you have Autonomic Dysreflexia-Hyperreflexia. A Transient Eschemic Attack can cause seizures.

Joe

[TheAbleChef]

Originally Posted by melodiclogic22

AbleChef,

Do you have Autonomic Dysreflexia-Hyperreflexia. A Transient Eschemic Attack can cause seizures.

Joe

I don't think so. Seizures are caused by drinking too much alcohol. I haven't had a seizure any othe way.

[christopher]

Ok dude. Next time, we're drinkin soda pop!

[TheAbleChef]

Originally Posted by christopher

Ok dude. Next time, we're drinkin soda pop!

Haha! I'm fine when I don't go over 4 drinks. I love beer. I know my limit but I wanted to get off of Dilantin. I talked with my wife and she would rather me stay on it to prevent anything from happening. It makes sense. So now i can drink a little bit.

Let's go to l'Esco before it gets cool.