Seizure Treatment and causes

Posted by iamheal101 @iamheal101, Aug 21, 2020

I do have seizure. I smoke and drink alcohol. Will the Seizure stop if I stop this drinking and smoking habit?

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@dorisena

I sounds to me as though a person could be misdiagnosed with seizures but in actuality are having comas from too low blood sugar. I haven't studied seizures but have witnessed some in public and they seem to recover easily. With a coma, you will not recover without quick sugar to fortify your sugar level for the brain to function. The brain needs constant levels of sugar to keep it working well. With low bloods sugar I had confusion, dizziness, craziness and danger of passing out. I walked in front of cars and didn't know where I was. I couldn't think. I drank milk, ate something sweet and took a nap to recover. My old blood sugar tests showed it dropped to 35 at the clinic and they let me drive home on the freeway which I should never have done. I had to stop and rest to make it home. The doctors were ignorant at the time about treatment.
I ate six times a day, high protein and vegetables and controlled the family stress. My blood sugar levels became more normal in the roller coaster effect on my health. Exercise helped in that respect. You don't read about this in the medical literature. I found this guidance in a paperback in a health food store and it proved to be accurate for my condition. If you have seizures, I don't know how that affects the situation. Just remember that the number you read on a machine test is not stable but fluctuates by your activity level and gets highest two hours after eating. Then it starts to drop and goes up and down during a 24 hour period. Study this for your education in your case. Dorisena

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Thank you so much

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@artificialsugar

@jakedduck1 @hoochinmama
(This is a short summary - I'm not a doctor, and a lot more detail was left out below so don't stop your meds and playing a doctor like me) I had my first seizure due to low blood sugar(I'm a diabetic). I injected insulin for a dinner and forgot to turn on the oven. Delaying my dinner and I just waited too long waiting for dinner to be ready and I had a seizure. Then over a couple years I had another seizure. I went to a neurologist and he said I had short circuits in my brain that caused seizures and we don't know what causes it, and he put me on lamatrogine(sp?) which stoped the seizures. I took this for years but it also caused mental fogginess at work. I needed to find out what was the cause. I stopped the lamatrogine, and watched myself closely. I was able to trace it back to artificial sweeteners. I then read how they can cause seizures, so I believed it was some chemical reaction, and I stopped drinking diet coke which I drank a lot! I started drinking water mixes with a different artificial sweetener, thinking it would stop seizures, and when I was drinking that in large amounts I had another seizure. Then I tried another artificial sweetener and had the same results. I learned it was not the chemical reaction, but maybe confusion of my body wondering why I had insulin in me but still huge amounts of sugar. (Artificial sweeteners will look like large amounts of sweetener in you, but doesn't build up carbs which needs insulin to convert). I gave up all artificial sweetener drinks and only drink water and occasionally add small drinks that uses real sugar, and I must use insulin to control the real level. I was seizure free for last few years, but recently had another seizure, and my blood sugar level was normal (not an extremely low sugar level). Right now I'm thinking it was lack of sleep, but I also am looking at my switching to the a different insulin manufacturer (yes, BCBS dropped coverage of 1 manufacturer making all their insulin users use the same fast insulin) I believe this may be the reason for the latest. I need to start seeing a neurologist in KC again, to discuss this with, but I would like to find a research one that thinks insulin and blood sugars does cause seizures and this is how we prevent them. So if you are in KC and now a great neurologist, please share🙂

@hoochinmama I would pick up a cheap blood glucose meter at Walmart and look at your daughters blood sugar level around her periods and when she seizures. This would be great information for your doctor's

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I see a possibility that you don't really know your blood sugar level at the time of an event like "seizures because they fluctuate up and down depending on what you eat, your exercise level, and the time of the day. When you are about to have some kind of event, you need a quick blood test to see what is going on, not a guess of some kind of diagnosis. Also, you need to know what a glucose meter tells you, and that is the blood sugar level at that moment, not for a very long period of tims as the level is going up and down depending on your eating and your insulin use. I am not fond of the new meters unless you are educated on what the test indicates. The doctor may know more about treating you with those numbers.
With a big dose of insulin and no food, you could be in serious trouble and need emergency aid. The brain needs a constant level of sugar to function well so that is why we eat often and control our stress levels for good results. I had the old blood sugar tests they used to give by drinking a bottle of sugar water, waiting a certain length of time, and testing. Then they repeated the test to see the next set of numbers. After a number of hours, they gave the doctor the results and my doctor didn't know what to do about them except eat t pftem and carry cheese. Again, I have never used insulin. Dorisena

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@dorisena

I see a possibility that you don't really know your blood sugar level at the time of an event like "seizures because they fluctuate up and down depending on what you eat, your exercise level, and the time of the day. When you are about to have some kind of event, you need a quick blood test to see what is going on, not a guess of some kind of diagnosis. Also, you need to know what a glucose meter tells you, and that is the blood sugar level at that moment, not for a very long period of tims as the level is going up and down depending on your eating and your insulin use. I am not fond of the new meters unless you are educated on what the test indicates. The doctor may know more about treating you with those numbers.
With a big dose of insulin and no food, you could be in serious trouble and need emergency aid. The brain needs a constant level of sugar to function well so that is why we eat often and control our stress levels for good results. I had the old blood sugar tests they used to give by drinking a bottle of sugar water, waiting a certain length of time, and testing. Then they repeated the test to see the next set of numbers. After a number of hours, they gave the doctor the results and my doctor didn't know what to do about them except eat t pftem and carry cheese. Again, I have never used insulin. Dorisena

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Diabetes that requires insulin to control is different than those who rely on diet and exercise and I am not experienced to know about all the details with insulin use. I know it is used when the pancreas is not doing its job and the situation is serious. Type 2 diabetes without high blood sugar numbers can concentrate on diet and exercise and not have to be concerned with hypoglycemia unless they are living with stress or taking meds that raise the blood sugar, How well the pancreas and thyroid work is another factor and is an individual matter as people are different. A well balanced diet with every meal and regular meal times provides good control but many of us prefer a quick fix which meds can provide. The problem is that wit meds we must be careful that the blood sugar does not drop too lowand cause an emergency. My friend at work went home hungry, put water on the stove to cook, was alone and dropped over unconscious and his wife found him but it was too late to save him. So eating often can be a factor if you work hard and don't eat. Listen to your body.
Some of the meds advertised warn against low blood sugar. One ad says not to use if your have had thyroid cancer, which I have had and my thyroid was removed. Now I drag around tired from that as well as diabetes issues. My back surgery has resulted in not being able to exercise enough for good blood sugar control. So it is diet control that provides good results.
My cousin, who is younger than I, uses a once a week shot of something. It works for her. She walks every day. Dorisena

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I forgot to mention that if you don't eat to raise your blood sugar to high levels, meaning over 200, it won't then drop later to such low levels that you would feel bad. The higher it raises with sweets, the lower it can drop hours later. Remind yourself that you are doing yourself a favor in the long run by not eating the donuts. There are two possible problems with diabetes. High sugar and low sugar which is horrendous when it happens. And I thought it was just stress and nerves! Eating a balanced meal with lots of veggies is a blessing, not a boring life. It can provide a long, happy life.
On the other hand, meds for thyroid issues are essential to good health, so talk to your endocrinologist about that. Dorisena

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@dorisena

I sounds to me as though a person could be misdiagnosed with seizures but in actuality are having comas from too low blood sugar. I haven't studied seizures but have witnessed some in public and they seem to recover easily. With a coma, you will not recover without quick sugar to fortify your sugar level for the brain to function. The brain needs constant levels of sugar to keep it working well. With low bloods sugar I had confusion, dizziness, craziness and danger of passing out. I walked in front of cars and didn't know where I was. I couldn't think. I drank milk, ate something sweet and took a nap to recover. My old blood sugar tests showed it dropped to 35 at the clinic and they let me drive home on the freeway which I should never have done. I had to stop and rest to make it home. The doctors were ignorant at the time about treatment.
I ate six times a day, high protein and vegetables and controlled the family stress. My blood sugar levels became more normal in the roller coaster effect on my health. Exercise helped in that respect. You don't read about this in the medical literature. I found this guidance in a paperback in a health food store and it proved to be accurate for my condition. If you have seizures, I don't know how that affects the situation. Just remember that the number you read on a machine test is not stable but fluctuates by your activity level and gets highest two hours after eating. Then it starts to drop and goes up and down during a 24 hour period. Study this for your education in your case. Dorisena

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I just read about low blood seizures or coma and now realize that what I had years ago with hypoglycemia was the low end of blood sugar problems connected to high blood sugar at the other end. I didn't connect the two diseases, which could have led me to take measures to prevent type two diabetes. So look up the low blood sugar coma and it will provide some understand and instruction for more nomal control. Doctors may use insulin as a wuick temporaty fix which does not always lead to better management. I read that low sugar problems can be symtomatic at 70 and below.l At 88 I am shaking and nervous. So I need to rementer to eat and work at sensible levels and eat regularly, which I do very well.I only ever needed insulin when I was in the hospital and needed pain meds. I have excellent resistance to opioid addiction for which I am very thankful. I avoid pain meds like the plague. The doctors don't think that is wise, but I prefer not becoming addicted.
I prefer not becoming alcoholic and I prefer not being addicted to food. It works well for me. Dorisena

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@dorisena

I hate to bring it up again, but my experience with low and high blood sugar over the years and going to the doctor for help has been dismal at best. A nutritionist has good advice, and an Endo is good if you can get an appointment. The knowledge is improving but the reliance on meds is still too much for type 2 diabetes. We still need to change our eating and exercise.

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I hope people are not confused about this seizure/coma thing. I am talking about low blood sugar which drops very low due to too much insulin or other drug lowering med and the patient becomes unconscious. A blood sugar test would determine the treatment which is an IV of fluids and sugar or in mild cases like mine at home, food and drink. i had a friend who drank orange juice or Coke and ate candy bars if she was able. She recovered fast. Very low blood sugar can result in brain damage or mental fogginess and I don't know what else. Years ago the doctors didn't understand this and gave my sister insulin in the hospital which almost killed her. She knew what was wrong but couldn't speak. Finally they reversed the treatment and she recovered fast with an IV containing glucose. She was not eating properly and then quit eating and had the up/down event which was either type one or type two diabetes, which requires a different approach and constant monitoring. I am not too experienced on that. My neighbor friend had six doctors after she was diagnosed with type 1 but had to learn to manage her condition with her own records and charts and exercise program. Her doctors were astounded
at her knowledge and improvement. I hope diabetes education is better today as we continue to learn more. Dorisena

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@dorisena

I hope people are not confused about this seizure/coma thing. I am talking about low blood sugar which drops very low due to too much insulin or other drug lowering med and the patient becomes unconscious. A blood sugar test would determine the treatment which is an IV of fluids and sugar or in mild cases like mine at home, food and drink. i had a friend who drank orange juice or Coke and ate candy bars if she was able. She recovered fast. Very low blood sugar can result in brain damage or mental fogginess and I don't know what else. Years ago the doctors didn't understand this and gave my sister insulin in the hospital which almost killed her. She knew what was wrong but couldn't speak. Finally they reversed the treatment and she recovered fast with an IV containing glucose. She was not eating properly and then quit eating and had the up/down event which was either type one or type two diabetes, which requires a different approach and constant monitoring. I am not too experienced on that. My neighbor friend had six doctors after she was diagnosed with type 1 but had to learn to manage her condition with her own records and charts and exercise program. Her doctors were astounded
at her knowledge and improvement. I hope diabetes education is better today as we continue to learn more. Dorisena

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For some helpful history, I found an excellent nutrition book for all ailments including arthritis, obesity, and had charts and lists to improve our diets. In the diabetes chapter the author listed low blood sugar as a person who is neurotic. I wrote a note in my book that said low sugar can certainly make a person neurotic! Yes, I was stressed but corrected it easily with diet changes and omitting some carbs and sweets. I got my help from a neighbor because my doctor was not helpful. When I had a four- hour blood sugar test they admonished my bad behavior and told me to "straightened up and stop this nonsense." My mother had to help me out of the shower and dress me because my blood sugar was so low from the tests.
I never went back and never had another one of those dangerous tests. They thought I was a mental case.
I lost weight and was quite well for a few years. I think doctors are better informed these days, but the search for answers continues in some cases. Everyone is different at times. Dorisena

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@jakedduck1

@hoochinmama
Also a video capturing as much of the seizure as possible can be very helpful.
Jake

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Jake, if you saw a video of my coma from low blood sugar, you would know I never had any seizures. I have witnessed them in public. Please be aware that other people can have low blood sugar and if it is not tested, they don't really know what is going on and and proper treatment is essential with low blood sugar. I wouldn't call some events all seizures. That is why a blood sugar tester or monitor can help diagnose some events better. When a doctor says I don't know, you don't assume. It needs to be tested and checked out. Dorisena

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My granddaughter had a seizure from a high fever when she had an infection. The treatment is different than taking meds for that issue. It happens in young babies and the doctors are aware of the problem and treatment. I am curious now and will study seizures even though I have no reason to become informed about them at this time. The more you learn the better, I guess. In my 75 years of study I have learned that pills and meds are not always needed for every health concern. That is one reason why I grow a large garden. Besides, I love the fressh food. But I digress. Dorisena

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@jakedduck1

@dorisena
I was wondering if you could help
@hoochinmama regarding seizures.
Her daughter's insulin level is high. I was curious if a high insulin level could cause hypoglycemia and cause her glucose to fall and lower her seizure threshold.
She has seizures just prior during or after Menstruation. I was wondering if between the menstruation and the insulin issue whether or not it could be enough to lower her seizure threshold to have a seizure. I was also wondering if she could be insulin resistant.
I know both high & low blood sugar can cause seizures not sure about the necessary tests or exactly sure how the insulin affects the blood sugar and the like.
Any help you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.
Hope you've been we'll,
Jake

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I am re-reading your question again to see if I can explain it better. A high insulin level starts to go down two hours after eating and lowers to the degree that it went up. Then it starts to go up again depending on the numbers and whether you are active or sleeping. It is part of metabolism and when the pancreas is tired of not working well the blood sugar numbers become too high or too low. Stress is part of the problem. Medicines can be part of the problem. I can see that menstrration can make a difference because pain and stress can change the blood sugar levels as they are moving up and down during a 24- hour cycle. I can agree that very low blood sugar can cause passing out or coma, but I am not comfortable calling it seizures because I haven't studied that event. I want you to know that low blood sugar can put you in a coma from which you may not recover, so it is dangerous. You need glucose immediately if that is the case. I will study seizures and see if I can understand more about the matter. I don't know that there is a med or pill that will help at the time of the event. I do know that more insulin lwould ower an already low blood sugar and damage your brain. Be careful of that.
The goal is to have the blood sugar count go up and down in a cycle that has more normal numbers. Diet change and exercise can help accomplish this and is less dangerous to manage. Hormones can play a role. Thyroid is involved as it is involved in everything to keep the body regulated well. Doctors don't believe you will make diet changes faithfully so they rely on pills and shots to regulate. It still takes a lot of testing to know where the blood sugar is at different times of the day or night. Food changes are slower but losing weight makes the job easier unless you are already thin. Dorisena

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