gardener

Goodmorning Hootowlmom,
I have recently begun to have seizures in my sleep as well, beginnning last November, and they are quite artful in context. I have a VNS complicated by a temporal lesion that can be picked up by an EEG. I have complex partial and intensen focal motors that sometimes generalize. I take 600mgs/day of Topamax. (P.S.) The implant is turned off and scheduled to be removed (the lead and all!).

I am 26yrs old and in a Masters program dealing with Criminal Justice and Law. "The Program" is very competitive so, as you can imagine, a glass of wine or 2 fingers of scotch loosens the collar every now and then. I have informed my neuro I have no intentions of stopping my benefit of beverage. I have seizures on the wagon and off. There is no difference. Epilepsy does what it wants to.

The danger arises not when you are drunk but rather afterwards when the brain begins to process or "detox" and loses alcohol levels. This time frame is when most people, epileptic or not, have seizures related to alcohol.

I have never, in 11.5 yrs of Epilepsy, had a seizure related to alcohol consumption. I do not drink alone (I like to talk (can't you tell!)) I do not drink to excess, due to my meds I am a very cheap date. I drink with food & it helps that I like to eat. I spread the time period in which I drink out over a large time frame and include water and lots of it right before I go to bed. At bed time I drink O.J. and take Aleve plus I don't stay up late or past my normal bedtime drinking. It is important to give yourself at least 3 hours between drinking and sleep time. This allows oxidization to occur and you a chance to hydrate very well before you sleep (less chance for nightime spookies!). If this is a buzz you are chasing you will have already had it. You will be able to go to sleep peacefully without fear of waking up disoriented or worse.

After drink three you become very drunk depending on the meds you take. (Ex: while I was on Depakote I was able to consume very large quantities of alcohol partially because my body weight was higher (190 lbs) and partially because my liver was huge and conditioned to oxidize at a faster rate. I could drink anybody under the table. Now is not the case. Topamax has lowered by body weight to 125-130lbs (I am 5'9") and my liver and kidneys function at a slower rate or rather I should say a more normal rate. I am drunk within an hour and a half on 3 drinks at my current weight. So, I drink one drink to feel nice with a meal and sometimes I can't even finish it. 4 yrs ago I would have laughed. I could drink a fifth of scotch by myself and not flinch.

The symptoms are typically drunkenness of the individual. If you are going to have a seizure they will be your symptoms compounded by your characteristics of drunken behavior. I do not think the one drink can put you over the age. You must remember that a beer, glass of wine, and one shot have the same alcohol consistency. If you are drunken the buzz intensifies.

Sweetie, don't punish your self for wanting to exceed moderation for it is the hardest path in life to reach and American society doesn't foster such thoughts or actions easily nor do the compulsions of man's Id or desires. If you would like to talk further about this topic the gate is always open. I hope I have helped in some way. This is something that I battled and rebelled against for a very long time.

Slainte.
The Gardener