Epilepsy & vitamin D

Hi Jake, Good Morning - @jakedduck1
Very interesting the article you have sent us, thank you for sharing it!
I do believe that there are many more natural ways to control our seizures, besides the AEDs, such as supplements, diet, and exercise. Unfortunately, I see that this is little explored by the epileptologists and neurologists. As you know and I have stated many times here in our group, a gluten-free diet has reduced a bit more than 60% of my seizures.
Yesterday, I was listening to an interview with a doctor (Dr. Benjamin Bikman) who is specialized in metabolism in Dr. David Perlmutter's Newsletter. Much was spoken on Ketosis and how this can help people with Epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson and other neurological conditions.
Have a nice day!
Chris (Santosha)

@santosha
Hello Chris,
Yes Chris, I agree there may be natural alternative methods to controlling seizures. Even if they only partially control seizures, maybe a combination of seizure medication at a lower dose which hopefully would reduce side effects plus the alternative method would be beneficial.
A man in Canada I’ve mentioned controls his seizures using only B vitamins. A boy who had 100+ seizures went to a
Neurochiropractor whose seizures we’re brought under control. Another achieved control with biofeedback. Some treatments although effective in some people may not be practical for a variety of reasons so I think seizure meds may always be needed. Because of how limited the ketogenic diet is it may be difficult to follow over an extended period of time. Especially for people like me who would rather be boiled in oil than to cook or do without sugar.
Thank you Chris for bringing this to our attention.
Take care,
Jake

@jakedduck1
A very good morning to you Jake!
Amazing what you have shared here with us that some people have controlled their seizures through alternative treatments. For sure, many of those alternative treatments demand discipline and determination. It is many times much easier just to take a pill.
Nowadays there are more flexible keto diets. For example, the diet the integrative medicine neurologist has given to my mother for her Alzheimer's needs to be followed 80% of the time and is based on low-carb and anti-inflammatory food. I have tried to follow this diet myself to see if she would be able to follow it and I have seen that it is easier than I thought. But it requires for sure some discipline: organic vegetables, no microwave food, fasting of 12 hours, low sugar, etc. There is for sure a life change and the determination to accept and follow it. Perhaps it has been easier for us to follow this diet because we already have healthy diets. The integrative medicine doctor has not taken out the traditional medication for Alzheimer's. I agree that a combination of conventional medicine and alternative treatments can be very helpful. Just the Alzheimer's medication that my mother is taking has not been enough, the disease is progressing quite fast!
What I like very much in integrative medicine is that the doctor sees you as a whole and does not treat just some part of your body as many doctors do in traditional medicine. It is not against traditional medicine, it makes a combination of traditional medicine and more ancient medicines such as Ayurveda, Chinese, homeopathy, etc.
Have a nice day!
Chris (Santosha)

Does anyone have experience with Chinese apacunture?

I have had a lot of acupuncture, but because of where I live, less so for about 7 years until last month, so too soon to report. I also work with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC) practitioner and am taking herbal medicines with a long history of success in treating epilepsy in China. It's not one size fits all in TMC. You'd need to be seen first to determine which formula is best. I take a mixture that includes Tian Ma (gastrodia) which has a strong track record.

Good Morning All of You,
I have recently started reading the book "Brain Longevity" by Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD. He was once a traditional doctor who became a functional one. I have been enjoying the book a lot. It explains why exercising, nutrition and vitamins are so important for the brain.
For those interested, here is the link to more information on that book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Longevity-Breakthrough-Medical-Improves/dp/0712677364
I do also follow Dr. David Perlmutter, a functional neurologist and neuroscientist (he was also a traditional doctor in the past, becoming a functional doctor with his father's Alzheimer's experience). Here is the link to his newsletter for those interested.
https://drperlmutter.com/category/videos/
@auroralm I remember Dr. Dharma mentioning about acupuncture in his book, but I am still at the beginning of the book. As you have well said, functional medicine does not treat all the same, observing the particularities of each individual and developing a personal treatment. I would be very interested if you could share more of the experience and results you have been getting with TMC treatment. Thank you!
Chris (@santosha)

It's hard to measure impact of any treatment on my epilepsy because my seizures, although devastating in their impact, happen at very long intervals. I've only been taking the Tian Ma formula for a few months. With other conditions that are easier to track, I've found TCM very helpful. For example I have an easily inflamed gallbladder that's quite painful. and I have fatty liver. I've been taking TCM medicines for these conditions and the gallbladder situation has improved dramatically. It wil take longer to now if it's helpiing my liver. Tian Ma is one of the most widely used epilepsy medicines in TCM. All I can tell at this point is that I feel calmer on it.

Good Morning @auroralm
I am very happy for you and the good results you have been attaining. Thank you for sharing them with us.
I have been investing in functional/integrative medicine (which also considers the TCM) and in those kinds of treatment, some results can take longer to appear. It is like homeopathy.
I just remembered a book you might enjoy. It is called Brave New Medicine by Dr. Cynthia Li. Here is also a link to one of her interviews with a summary of her book and journey:

I am newly diagnosed Senior Woman with Epilepsy and need to lose weight. I find your comment interesting. I will look up Dr Bikman and Dr Perlmutter.

@mercuryrose
My guess is since you are recently diagnosed you're likely not taking the older seizure medication's which are the worst offenders like Dilantin, phenobarbital, Depakote, Mysoline, Tegretol/Carbatrol.
However, you should ask your physician if your seizure medication could be affecting any vitamins levels. Since So many people have low vitamin It's a good idea to have your level checked. Also, there is some evidence that vitamin D has seizure preventing properties.
Hope you get your seizures under control.
Jake