Finding relief from epileptic seizures

Nov 25, 2020 | Jennifer O'Hara | @jenohara | Comments (28)

Eric Berg Epilepsy 16x9

Eric Berg has had seizures due to epilepsy since he was 12 years old. This past year, his seizures increased in frequency, affecting his day-to-day life and his ability to work. With encouragement from his fiancee, Eric sought treatment at Mayo Clinic.

At Mayo Clinic, experts are using a new way to treat some seizure disorders: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS. This treatment uses a magnetic field to stimulate certain areas of the brain. While often used to treat depression, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation also is showing promise in treating seizures.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Eric Berg shares his story. His physician, Dr. Jeffrey Britton, a neurologist and chair of the Division of Epilepsy at Mayo Clinic, also joins the podcast and explains how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is used to treat seizure disorders.

To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Connect with others talking about living with epilepsy, treatments, stigma and supporting one another in the Epilepsy & Seizures support group.

 

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I saw something on TV one time and they were talking how about stoping seizures. If I remember correctly they described how marajauna really helped some children, this could be worth looking into.

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@semeon

I saw something on TV one time and they were talking how about stoping seizures. If I remember correctly they described how marajauna really helped some children, this could be worth looking into.

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Check this site https://thegreenclinic.com/
This doctor went to Mayo medical school. Her son suffered from epeliptic seizures for years and is now thriving thanks to medical marajauna. I think it is legit. Her clinic is a few miles from where I live.

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@semeon

I saw something on TV one time and they were talking how about stoping seizures. If I remember correctly they described how marajauna really helped some children, this could be worth looking into.

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That’s what I was going to say marajauna is supposed to be really good for seizures but you have to get medical marijuana

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Here is some information from Mayo Clinic about clinical trials of cannabidiol for epilepsy https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/clinical-updates/neurosciences/clinical-trials-of-cannabidiol-for-epilepsy

Research continues. The purpose of this extension study is to investigate the safety of using cannabidiol in children and young adults with Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndromes that are not well controlled. https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20179706

You'll find general information about the clinical use of medical marijuana from Mayo Clinic here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855

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@colleenyoung

Here is some information from Mayo Clinic about clinical trials of cannabidiol for epilepsy https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/clinical-updates/neurosciences/clinical-trials-of-cannabidiol-for-epilepsy

Research continues. The purpose of this extension study is to investigate the safety of using cannabidiol in children and young adults with Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndromes that are not well controlled. https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20179706

You'll find general information about the clinical use of medical marijuana from Mayo Clinic here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855

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It is a shame that the United States is so far behind other countries in recognizing the use of medical marijuana. You have to exhaust all other possible traditional treatments and drugs before any health care professional will even give it a thought. I read Mayo's articles. In one they listed some possible side effects and they are all pretty mild in comparison to most of the prescriptions I have taken.
Minnesota makes it quite expensive to even give it a try. You have see a licensed board certified registered with the state, $200. Then you send an application to the state to get your card $200 yearly. There are only a few dispensorys in state and from what I can tell the actual medical grade pills etc are quite expensive. I would like to try it but $500 or so just to see if it helps my symptom is out of reach.

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I have been using marajuana for my cancer now for about 5 years. I was introduced to me by someone whose mother had terminal lung and brain cancer. Dr told her she may have a couple months to live and she is now in remission. I don’t know the science behind it but it offers many benefits. I don’t smoke I use oil and put it into a capsule. I heard it has been very effective for seizure management. I am in Canada and it’s legal here. I typically get a 3 month supply for around $250. It’s definitely worth a try and you could go to a state and buy it however you may be able to buy it off market quite easily. It’s definitely available. Yes the USA lawmakers seem to be very reluctant in approving it which to me makes no sense. If they legalized it like in Canada there is so much benefit in its medical use. If you want more info just ask I can tell you what I know.

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@semeon

I have been using marajuana for my cancer now for about 5 years. I was introduced to me by someone whose mother had terminal lung and brain cancer. Dr told her she may have a couple months to live and she is now in remission. I don’t know the science behind it but it offers many benefits. I don’t smoke I use oil and put it into a capsule. I heard it has been very effective for seizure management. I am in Canada and it’s legal here. I typically get a 3 month supply for around $250. It’s definitely worth a try and you could go to a state and buy it however you may be able to buy it off market quite easily. It’s definitely available. Yes the USA lawmakers seem to be very reluctant in approving it which to me makes no sense. If they legalized it like in Canada there is so much benefit in its medical use. If you want more info just ask I can tell you what I know.

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I've had epilepsy since age 11. I'm now 73. Seizures were never under control. My grand mal seizures were nocturnal, some petit mal. Understand, when I was diagnosed with epilepsy, much was unknown and it was not mentioned. There were only a couple of meds used.... for years, docs increasing doses to the point I was walking into walls at times, my personality changed, and much more. I don't remember most of my childhood due to these meds. I've been on several different meds through the years, one worked well, on it for 20 years but developed blood issues. Another med worked for years, increasing dosages. Then, I went went to Mayo and got the testing I needed. After 4 days in Mayo Hospital on the seizure disorder unit, I was diagnosed with NON-EPILEPTIC seizures!!!!!!!!!! Don't know about the past 62 years and all the meds. I've decided not to be concerned about the past, to work with the future and these wonderful docs!
But, I use medical marijuana, my PCP. First, seizures tend to create anxiety. I've dealt with anxiety all my life. CBD is wonderful, relieves anxiety, w/o side effects. So, now I'm off almost all the anxiety related meds! Second, I've had sleep issues. CBD helps me sleep, well. I take melatonin, OTC, at night with CBD.
Also, I have a lot of pain. I'm off ALL pain meds.....take 1 dropper of 1:1 CBD/THC, 250 mg. Tincture.Works. Sometimes, I add 1 extra strength Tylenol and if the pain is really tough, Voltarin cream. That's it, folks.
So, I swear by medical marijuana. It is changing my life. I sleep well, usually through the night, which helps the pain issue, of course, and anxiety.
That's my story. I'm a happier, better balanced person, w/o seizures at all, with controlled pain, off opiods and other strong meds.I've been using for over 60 years.
I was in Mayo hospital recently, and didn't have any CBD or THC, so I did have issues, but only for a few days. Now, much better.

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Good for you to try a different apporoach.

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@mazeppabob

It is a shame that the United States is so far behind other countries in recognizing the use of medical marijuana. You have to exhaust all other possible traditional treatments and drugs before any health care professional will even give it a thought. I read Mayo's articles. In one they listed some possible side effects and they are all pretty mild in comparison to most of the prescriptions I have taken.
Minnesota makes it quite expensive to even give it a try. You have see a licensed board certified registered with the state, $200. Then you send an application to the state to get your card $200 yearly. There are only a few dispensorys in state and from what I can tell the actual medical grade pills etc are quite expensive. I would like to try it but $500 or so just to see if it helps my symptom is out of reach.

Jump to this post

It's amazing that I'm acturally using marijuana! I grew up at a time no illegal drugs were used in my world. Now, I'm thankful to have this addition to my health plan. Hopefully, we will have legal access to marijuana for relief of so many health issues. And, the cost in Florida is also much too high. We have a good selection of dispensaries in my area. BUT, it's taking a lot of my cash. I'm retired, on limited income. I pay the doctore $250 for first visit, $250 every 6 month follow-up visit! Plus, the drug itself costs $200+ monthly. It provides me pain, anxiety, seizure, fibromylagia, arthritis spine/disc and more relief, but I need relief from the costs. Also, something needs to be worked out when I go into the hospital to enable me to continue to use the drug, as it's my pain and major anxiety relief. FYI: I now carry a small THC tincture spray for pain. If I'm in pain during the day, I can spray a tiny bit into my mouth and it dulls, smooths out the pain. No side effects at all. But, It works. Nothing else has done the job as well..... So many years of heavy meds w/side effects and less relief. I'm blessed.

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I am not sure on this but would it be possible for you to import from Canada? It is much cheaper here and you would have a favorable exchange on your money of about 32% right now. I buy a 3 months supply on the internet for about $250 that about $175 in your money.

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