Which Seizure Trigger Is Your Hardest Battle?

Posted by Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor @santosha, Nov 3 5:36pm

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!

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

Randy Shields | @randallshields56 | Nov 24 7:50pm

shoot me a message tomorrow and ill try to get back to you in the afternoon.
thanks.
randy

Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Nov 25 8:39am

In reply to @randallshields56 "@santosha time out time need to get away from the computer for a bit do something..." + (show)

@randallshields56
Hi Randy, Good Morning
Thank you so much for sharing this with me.
I'm happy to know that these sunglasses have been helping you manage the flashing light trigger and concentrate better.
You've touched on a crucial point: having too much on your plate as a trigger. Not being able to handle everything on my plate the way I once could is definitely one of my biggest sources of stress and anxiety —my hardest triggers to manage. Like you, I practice calming techniques like breathing and yoga, but through my sessions with my neuropsychologist, I've come to realize that a lot of my stress and anxiety comes down to accepting the changes epilepsy has brought to my life, something I'm still actively working through.
I know talking about family members' attitudes can be really difficult and hurtful. I have a few family members who aren't very understanding of my condition, something I've actually also worked through with my neuropsychologist. She's helped me learn how to protect myself and set boundaries.
One of the most positive things I've learned through my epilepsy journey is how to say "no" more often. If someone loses patience and starts communicating aggressively, I'll usually say, "When you're calmer, we can continue this conversation," and then I step away. Honestly, if someone can't respect my condition and limitations, I don't want them close to me. Please don't let people who don't understand your epilepsy hurt you!
Wishing you continued progress and peace. Take care!
Chris

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