Connection between depression, epilepsy and nutrition
My 21 year old son is very sick. His history involves him being very sensitive as a child (emotionally, mentally and physically) which manifested itself in numerous ways. His emotional sensitivity lead to him becoming a vegetarian at 14. Throughout high school he exhibited mild anxiety and sadness and saw a counselor but didn’t get a formal mental health diagnosis. At about 17 he started to display gastrointestinal issue – diarrhea and stomach pain. He went through a battery of tests during which nothing was found. Shortly after starting college he was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety and put on meds. Less than a year later he developed seizures and was put on more meds. He continues to suffer from chronic depression and epilepsy. As his mom I just can’t help but think all these health issues are related. Because he’s an adult we are not involved in his medical care and there is no cooperation among the doctors he sees – psychiatrist, neurologist and family practitioner. Help! Am I grasping at straws or is there some credence to my suspicions that all this is related?
Liked by Kelly, Alumna Mentor, Dawn, Volunteer Mentor
kevinkelley
@kevinkelley
@kevinkelley
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Joined: Oct 23, 2015
…I too have epilepsy and with that experience a bit of depression; Having epilepsy, seizures and the things associated with those have been a part of my life for some time…
The medicines I have been given seem to be my biggest difficulties, they have varied overtime and with that the side effects those individuals have…I had the “VNS” device for a little while but was not totally happy with its success as well.
I finished college and a wide range of misc things, am now in my 40’s, have remained active, have had some success with my seizures, seemed to have found the med I now take that has the littlest of side effects those Meds seem to be associated with; Your son… Hang in there! Eating heathy has had a very positive effect on me and with that staying active is a positive thing for me as well; Epilepsy can be a very difficult thing to be accustomed to but with that, sharing those difficulties with others seems to have a somewhat positive effect to that…Kevin
Kay
@irvkay312
@irvkay312
Posts: 172
Joined: Jan 26, 2012
First of all, I would speak with his neurologist or Epileptologist about a
couple
of things. If he had an Electroencephliagram were there any irregularities
shown? If he had an MRI were irregularities shown? Did he have a CBC?
That could indicate discrepancies in his blood?
If or after those things are accomplished, “seek to recognize and remove
triggers (items that initiate seizures)–like noise, lights, depression,
anxiety,
fear of being different or of something not brought out.” Take them one at
a time to see if situations better.
Kay
Karen
@blooms44
@blooms44
Posts: 5
Joined: Jul 21, 2015
You may check into a Pharmocogenics gene panel report through Mayo Clinic.
They test a persons genetic pathway to see if the medicine may not be right
or not helping for your son. Google Personalized MedicineMayo Clinic and
Pharmocogenics Mayo Clinic. May help pinpoint more effective med choices.
Also a cheek swab may tell how one metabolizes medicines. They have a great
video on the Personalized med page or Pgx testing. Hope this may help!
Liked by Dawn, Volunteer Mentor, Kelly, Alumna Mentor
Karen
@blooms44
@blooms44
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Joined: Jul 21, 2015
Maybe also check out gut health and mind connection…..if he has diarrhea
part of the case could be gut bad gut bacteria/candida….Just another
thought.
Karen
@blooms44
@blooms44
Posts: 5
Joined: Jul 21, 2015
There is a great story …..Andrews Story…..google Pgx Testing Mayo
Clinic and they have a story of a young man who suffered and did the test
and it helped him.
nessiewolfe
@nessiewolfe
@nessiewolfe
Posts: 7
Joined: Apr 28, 2016
I have all the above as far as medical issues and more. For me my seizures i was diagnosed that they where caused by my mental issues. Its my body shuting down when it cant take any more. I also have pbc but gratefuly very few people have that disease and mainly in women. I also have allergic asthma and my specialist said acid reflex makes asthma worse and he was right . Hope this helps
Kelsey Mohring
@kelseydm
@kelseydm
Posts: 299
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@nessiewolfe I have all the above as far as medical issues and more. For me my seizures i was diagnosed that they where caused by my mental issues. Its my body shuting down when it cant take any more. I also have pbc but gratefuly very few people have that disease and mainly in women. I also have allergic asthma and my specialist said acid reflex makes asthma worse and he was right . Hope this helps
Hi @nessiewolfe. Welcome to Connect! We are so glad to have you join our community. Thanks for connecting with us and sharing your experiences!
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Kelsey Mohring
@kelseydm
@kelseydm
Posts: 299
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@blooms44 There is a great story …..Andrews Story…..google Pgx Testing Mayo
Clinic and they have a story of a young man who suffered and did the test
and it helped him.
Hi @blooms44. Welcome to Connect! I know you’ve been around for a little while, but i’m not sure you got a proper welcome, so I wanted to say we are happy to have you! Thanks for connecting and sharing your experiences.
Kay
@irvkay312
@irvkay312
Posts: 172
Joined: Jan 26, 2012
@nessiewolfe I have all the above as far as medical issues and more. For me my seizures i was diagnosed that they where caused by my mental issues. Its my body shuting down when it cant take any more. I also have pbc but gratefuly very few people have that disease and mainly in women. I also have allergic asthma and my specialist said acid reflex makes asthma worse and he was right . Hope this helps
Although I am not a doctor, but have had seizures 77+ years and studied the causes at Stanford’s Doctors Library when younger. I think a number of things are missing before you reach your conclusion on their cause. First, Epilepsy (or known as seizures today) came from the Greek word “Epilepsia” which mean’t “to seize on attack, as noted by Dr. William Lennox a neurologist in the early days of this condition.” What was pointed out was “that the electrical impulses of the brain (if they were increased or decreased beyond a control the brain was able to handle “would seize the area that was weak or not stable, until the body and brain reset itself after the seizure.
Research, understanding, experience and technology have pointed out reasons for causes of these things “referred to as Triggers.” In that a number of items can and do have the ability to be a Trigger, you should have a Neulogist or Epileptologist more familiar with the brain and its senses to help evaluate things. Next, should come a pretty much standard CBC, since blood componants with Oxygen, CO2 etc. can be triggers. Next an EEG or Electoencephliagram will measure electical components of the brain and sometimes be able to point out deficiencies. With a continuation of this problem an MRI can often show brain deficiencies, past TIA’s, and brain area’s affected.
Then the Neurologist or Epileptologist will often put you through a Neurological exam, having you walk, so as to watch your gait; stand feet together and close your eyes indicative to balance; put your arms out ant touch your nose with one hand and then the other, etc. Then a determination at the conclusion of all these things can often be conclusive and point out the most logical type of treatment for control and stability.
Kay
Liked by Dawn, Volunteer Mentor, nessiewolfe
@kevinkelley …I too have epilepsy and with that experience a bit of depression; Having epilepsy, seizures and the things associated with those have been a part of my life for some time…
The medicines I have been given seem to be my biggest difficulties, they have varied overtime and with that the side effects those individuals have…I had the “VNS” device for a little while but was not totally happy with its success as well.
I finished college and a wide range of misc things, am now in my 40’s, have remained active, have had some success with my seizures, seemed to have found the med I now take that has the littlest of side effects those Meds seem to be associated with; Your son… Hang in there! Eating heathy has had a very positive effect on me and with that staying active is a positive thing for me as well; Epilepsy can be a very difficult thing to be accustomed to but with that, sharing those difficulties with others seems to have a somewhat positive effect to that…Kevin
If you have anyone who might know of a connection between seizures and blood sugar, let me know
While checking our 42 yr old son’s seizure activity noted that the 2 bad ones where after he had pigged out at family meals.. the last 2 have been between 8-8:30 in the am, before he had anything to eat. There has to be a connection somewhere and I am always looking for clues…
he was out about 20 min – on the last seizure at 8:14 am and it was 8:36 when he awoke on the floor of the kitchen.
He was having 2 per month but now has the VNS which has helped a little – now he is going about 2 months between seizures and they seem to be milder. The VNS hurts sometimes and makes him cough, changes his voice level –
did you have yours removed?
Colleen Young, Connect Director
@colleenyoung
@colleenyoung
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@kevinkelley …I too have epilepsy and with that experience a bit of depression; Having epilepsy, seizures and the things associated with those have been a part of my life for some time…
The medicines I have been given seem to be my biggest difficulties, they have varied overtime and with that the side effects those individuals have…I had the “VNS” device for a little while but was not totally happy with its success as well.
I finished college and a wide range of misc things, am now in my 40’s, have remained active, have had some success with my seizures, seemed to have found the med I now take that has the littlest of side effects those Meds seem to be associated with; Your son… Hang in there! Eating heathy has had a very positive effect on me and with that staying active is a positive thing for me as well; Epilepsy can be a very difficult thing to be accustomed to but with that, sharing those difficulties with others seems to have a somewhat positive effect to that…Kevin
Welcome to Connect, CarHowell.
I’m tagging @ketomom @clairesmom who have discussed diet and managing seizures, in particular the keto diet and a low glycemic index diet. They may be able to help answer your questions. @dawn_giacabazi might also have something to add.
Dawn, Volunteer Mentor
@dawn_giacabazi
@dawn_giacabazi
Posts: 604
Joined: Nov 13, 2015
Hello
To answer one of the question related to depression and anxiety, yes it unfortunately goes hand and hand with seizures. I have had epilepsy for 25 years now. It was a huge struggle for many years but thankfully a 10 day stay at Mayo Clinic Epilepsy Clinic they found the answers needed. Finding the right medication, taken at the right does, at the right time of the day is definitely the key to successful treatment. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/dxc-20117207
Pharmocogenetic testing is absolutely amazing at this. Here is a great link on how this testing works. http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/drug-gene-testing.asp
Hope this helps
Dawn
Keto Mom Paulette
@ketomom
@ketomom
Posts: 6
Joined: Sep 17, 2014
@kevinkelley …I too have epilepsy and with that experience a bit of depression; Having epilepsy, seizures and the things associated with those have been a part of my life for some time…
The medicines I have been given seem to be my biggest difficulties, they have varied overtime and with that the side effects those individuals have…I had the “VNS” device for a little while but was not totally happy with its success as well.
I finished college and a wide range of misc things, am now in my 40’s, have remained active, have had some success with my seizures, seemed to have found the med I now take that has the littlest of side effects those Meds seem to be associated with; Your son… Hang in there! Eating heathy has had a very positive effect on me and with that staying active is a positive thing for me as well; Epilepsy can be a very difficult thing to be accustomed to but with that, sharing those difficulties with others seems to have a somewhat positive effect to that…Kevin
We were gone over the holidays, sorry for the delayed response: Yes and yes. There is a connection between seizures and blood sugar. Has your son been seen by an epileptologist since this happened?
Carnation
@carnation
@carnation
Posts: 5
Joined: Jul 13, 2017
@kevinkelley …I too have epilepsy and with that experience a bit of depression; Having epilepsy, seizures and the things associated with those have been a part of my life for some time…
The medicines I have been given seem to be my biggest difficulties, they have varied overtime and with that the side effects those individuals have…I had the “VNS” device for a little while but was not totally happy with its success as well.
I finished college and a wide range of misc things, am now in my 40’s, have remained active, have had some success with my seizures, seemed to have found the med I now take that has the littlest of side effects those Meds seem to be associated with; Your son… Hang in there! Eating heathy has had a very positive effect on me and with that staying active is a positive thing for me as well; Epilepsy can be a very difficult thing to be accustomed to but with that, sharing those difficulties with others seems to have a somewhat positive effect to that…Kevin
I have Internal Bowel Syndrome, the IBS started in the past 10 years. I’m 51years old, I would appreciate any information you could give me on the keto diet and a low glycemic index diet, and any type of foods that could control the seizures.
@beauti2000
There is a new test you can get at a physchiatrist office. It’s like a DNA test, they swab your mouth and send it in. Back comes information that is very helpful along with medications that wont be helpful, and those that will. It can tell which medications would be more effective with your DNA. It’s amazing. It’s got our son off to a great start in college. He can only take one class per semester, but he’s moving forward and we’re thankful.