Gluten Intolerance and seizures
 

Hello, everybody!

I am new to this group but I need help and guidance! My son had febrile seizures when he was 5 in Sept 2007 and again in October 2009! This past Thursday, he had an episode at school in which he seems to have fallen asleep. He could not be awakened for 10 minutes!! When he did wake up, he acted like he had indeed napped. Nevertheless, we took him to the ER. After he was admitted to Children's Hospital of Michigan, they neurologists wanted to start him on Keppra for seizures. I take Keppra and do not want the side effects to happen to my son. BTW, my seizures are likely caused by hydrocephalus. His eeg and MRI are clear and normal. My wife and I heard of someone who is allergic to gluten has episodes like my son had -- including the seizures (w/ convulsions). Has anyone ever heard of or experienced this combination?

Thanks for your help!

Jeff (Jim's dad)

Welcome to NeuroTalk Jeff. :Wave-Hello: I don't have knowledge in regard to that, but we have several other forums here that might offer some clues. There's the children's health forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum9.html

Also the epilepsy and seizure disorder forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum11.html

And the hydrocephalus forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum14.html

Maybe if you pose this question in those forums as well you'll find some clues.

I'm sorry your son is having seizures. I hope it turns out to be something that can be treated with diet changes. Take care and give Jim a hug from me. :hug:

http://epilepsy.suite101.com/article...stant_seizures

There's also an article at this link, but I don't know how accurate it might be. I do know that I tried a gluten free diet for my MS fatigue and it didn't help me at all. It did help my husband with his osteoarthritis pain though, so who knows?

We know that white flour products are bad for us so it won't hurt to try a gluten free diet trial for your son.

check out "the gluten file" in the stickies at the top of this forum......and as far as the most recent episode, maybe he truly WAS napping

Here is the direct link to a compilation of articles about gluten sensitivity and seizures:
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/seizuresepilepsy

There is also a page on diagnostic testing here:
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/diagnostictesting

It is most certainly worth considering food sensitivity as a possible underlying cause for seizure. Unfortunately, it is something our neurologists rarely consider. I've known some who had food sensitivity to cow's milk and soy, in addition to gluten, and these also contributed to seizures.

You might want to try giving your son a multivitamin and a B-complex vitamin (like Coenzymated B-complex by Country Life or B-Right by Jarrow as they use an active form of B6 and B12).

I tried giving my daughter B6 based on a tip by MrsD here, and my daughter's seizures improved more than they ever did on Depakote alone. Had I known sooner, I would have certainly insisted on testing for food sensitivity and nutritional deficiency before putting my daughter on Depakote.

Here is my family's story:
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/thestory

You may also want to read about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet... which has proved helpful for some children with seizures.

Good luck!

Cara