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Which Seizure Trigger Is Your Hardest Battle?

Posted by Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor @santosha, Nov 3, 2025

For two years after my epilepsy diagnosis, I had no idea seizure triggers even existed. The doctors I saw never mentioned them. When I finally stumbled upon the concept of seizure precipitants, it felt like discovering a missing piece of my own puzzle.
That's when I turned into a detective of my own body. Armed with a daily journal, I started connecting the dots between my seizures and what came before them. Slowly, but surely, the culprits revealed themselves: gluten, low sodium, poor sleep, my menstrual cycle, stress, and anxiety. Each one a potential match that could light the fuse.
The physical triggers: poor sleep, gluten, menstrual cycle and low sodium? I've learned how to manage them better. Eliminating gluten alone slashed my seizures by 60%.
Anxiety and stress— They remain my most relentless opponents in this battle, despite my yoga practice and exercising.
Now I'm wondering: What's YOUR toughest trigger to tame?
Have you found strategies that actually work? Whether it's something you've mastered or something that still defeats you, I want to hear your story. Your experience might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.
Share your trigger battles below—let's learn from each other!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

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tkmoyer3 | @tkmoyer3 | 4 hours ago
In reply to @royanthony "@tkmoyer3 Update: I've tried to work with 3 coffee companies. They've all given the same answer..." + (show)
Profile picture for royanthony @royanthony

@tkmoyer3 Update: I've tried to work with 3 coffee companies. They've all given the same answer and that is they'll take it up with their marketing group and thanked me. Never heard from them again. I typically am a person that doesn't quit, but at 72 years old I don't need the anxiety (and potential seizures). Now, at 72 years old and facing the loss of private insurance, I've learned that getting Brand name meds (Lamictal & Keppra) from this date to the end of this year via Medicare would cost me $22,000. That's no exaggeration. So, that's my immediate goal.... get the Brand names for less. I know for a fact that out of country, I can get 90 days of Keppra for less than $500. But, it's against the law for a citizen of the US to buy meds overseas. This has got to change. I hope your seizures are under control or at least feeling better, TK.

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@royanthony
Hi, I know decaf coffee has alittle caffeine in it but it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been fine but I drink 1/2 to a whole bottle of water to drink afterwards as well. Name brands are so expensive. I like the fact of having generic brands of meds. A lady who had seizures since the age of 2 weeks old eventually stopped over time then started back up as a teenager. This medicine helps her as well as myself. I still get feeling of seizure but don’t go into one. My doctor said I have a long road into recovery due to surgery. At least now I can sing. YAY! Medicare is awful for the cost that people have to deal with. I’m trying to get a job at the Air Force since they have better insurance instead of relying on Medicare but in the meantime I’m looking into the hospital as well. I don’t know how that’ll work since I’m still needing to rest. Private insurance is what I have right now. Paying $1000 a month and on top of it medical expenses due to surgery/ hospital stay a couple times. Thankfully I’m in a payment plan but $600 a month with that. Ugh…,😒

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louissc | @louissc | 1 hour ago

For me, now it’s music and those advertisement on radio which can give me those aura.

Cheers,
Louis

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