I am new to this whole seizure disorder stuff. I had my first in December 08 and I just had another one a week ago. With the help of my neurologist, I was trying to decrease the Keppra and ramp up the Lemictol. Evidently, I wasn't at a dose high enough to prevent the seizure. One question I have is can working out (cardio & weight lifting) have any kind of effect on your metabolism that could then impact having seizures?

Hi sheds,
Welcome to the forum! I've had seizures for 37 yrs. now and I've found that working out and getting exercise has been helpful for me. Working out helps get rid of stress for me but I find if I over do it then it can sometimes cause me to go into a seizure but everyone is different. If you want to find out what is the best amount of meds for you to take you should go by your weight and you should have a DNA blood test done. By doing the blood test the neuro can find what AED's (seizure meds) will help you the most with the least side effects. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

sheds,

Hello and welcome to NT. You will find a good number of friends here to assist. I have had epilepsy for 40 years. Been through a good number of meds and currently on Lamital and Keppra which they seem to be the best for me.

Like Sue said don't over do it. My thoughts and payers are with you.

Like I said welcome aboard, it will be nice to see you aroun.

Darlene

Welcome to the Forum!

Sorry that you had to experience a seizure, but I also have
epilepsy, was born with it. However, I must put the emphasis
on this. Anti-epileptic drugs do not cure "seizures", they only
help prevent it, moreover, sometimes people are able to gain
full seizure control with medication(s) and some people are only
able to gain some control with medication(s).

Since you had mentioned you had started in December 2008;
it does take time for the body to become adjusted (everyone
is differing - due to our chemistry and hematology; for no two
of us are alike, for we are all like snowflakes - not one of us are
the same!) - while some adapt right away others takes longer
to progress. Moreover I also want to add, working with anti-
epileptic drug(s) is a "trial and error" basis with titrations up
and down.

Like Darlene had implied, so will I; for I have been on tirades
of medication(s) - from just 1 to as many as 5; and just recently,
had to go off of Lamictal after it was being so successful all due
to the serious allergic reaction to it which was unfortunate. Right
now, my Doctor has to consider another review of "What's next"?
(On my end, my meds are working but I have nothing to fall back
to and we need that - therefore the need to have another tirade
of medications so to be on the safe side).

Patience and open-communication with your Doctor is the primary
key; so keeping a log/notebook/diary/etc - is important. You will
be surprised that just that one time event is nothing compared to
what "used to be like" before, if you truly stop and think about it!

It is TRUE that finding the right levels (or dosage) can be trying at
times - but as implied in the above paragraph, keep that line of
communication open.

In addition ---> It is generally a good idea whether you are healthy
or bogged down with medical conditions; to go over with your
Physician in regards to exercise(s) - to physical fitness. I am a former
semi-pro / AAU cyclist - and very much involved with sports; rightfully
so, the only way to work with this is with your Physician and slow and
easy is the way to go. Never ever push yourself over the fence, nor
force yourself to do it when you do not feel like it; forget about that
"No pain, no gain" gimmick.

Your Physician most likely would start you on a simple, easy to do at
home, exercise. The most important thing is - discipline, and developing
it to be a habit. Another option to get yourself involved if you are
residing in a metro or a well developed area -- near a Hospital or
University; you might be able to enroll through the program available
through there if it is available.

There is such thing as pushing oneself into seizure mode; I have done
that by overdoing it ... no one is to blame but myself! And I assure you,
you do not want to experience that! Therefore the reason for my posting
of the emphasis on DISCIPLINE ... especially on self-discipline so one
may gain self-control as not to overdo it. And that, I confess, is a dire
fault of mine; a weakness which I continually strive to overcome.

(We all have strengths and weaknesses, so there is no shame in
confessing our weaknesses, and that happens to be one of my
weaknesses - and thus, pushes my seizure threshold up, but not
necessarily pushes me into the seizure mode all the time; it merely
means "I" put my own self into a high risk for one.)