I'm curious about epilepsy & drinking...?

Question

for about 10+ yrs I've been taking Carbamezepine & when I started drinking (beer) at 21, I've never once had a grand-mal seizure or felt one was close, if I drink too much I black-out/loose conciousness/etc., but that can happen to anyone right? -anyways,I heard drinking effects other people with epilepsy.-is that true? (What effects me the most is too much coffee. & smoking did when I first started but not anymore.)

Answer 1

How alcohol affects you depends on the type of seizure disorder you have. If you don't have grand mal epilepsy, then it's unlikely the alcohol would trigger that type of seizure. It does have odd effects on the brain, however, different from that of the ordinary person. In ordinary people it does anesthetize the motor area of the brain to some extent. Your medication already does some of that same thing, so when you drink, you simply magnify that effect. That's why you black out or lose consciousness. You have been fortunate, because the drug interaction could be much more serious. While people can drink enough to pass out, they do not ordinarily black out. That particular problem is more associated with alcoholics, and occurs at times when they are not actually legally drunk. It is not something you should have happen otherwise, even if you drink too much. While you may not want to remember everything you did or that happened, you should still be able to- at least until you pass out, that is. The caffeine in coffee can also interfere with your medications, and will have an exagerated effect on your system as well, so it's decaf mostly you should drink. Smoking, well, that's not healthy for anyone. It displaces needed oxygen in the blood stream. An ordinary brain can compensate to some extent, but you already know you have areas a little more challenged to function so it's never smart to do anything that will even slightly undercut the ability you do have. You doctor is the best person to advise you on the effects of alcohol and your controlling medications, but for the most part they really don't recommend it. I'm sure you already know all this. Drug interaction aside, you risk suffering an extended seizure that can leave you with permanent brain damage, a more serious seizure disorder, or worst case, in a permanent vegetative state. I say this from experience. One of my first jobs out of nursing school was in an extended care facility. I had two patients, with seizure disorders, one in a permanent vegetative state and the other with porch lights and nobody home. Both were the result of alcohol and drug interaction. Both had suffered a seizure while under the influence, the one in a vegetative state was with friends who thought he'd just passed out until he really seized violently. By the time he made it to the ER the damage was done. The second young man had a seizure, but his pals were afraid to tell his parents they'd been out drinking. Luckily, his dad smelled a rat and they brought him to the hospital anyway. Well, lucky or unlucky, depending on how you look at it. It has always stuck with me, because both men were in their mid 20's- nearly my age. They had both been in college, until. So, please, take care mixing the alcohol with your seizure meds. Talk with the doctor, and see if you can't develop a taste for something else. You have too much life ahead of you, too many people who care. It's really just not worth it to find out.

Answer 2

Ive always read/heard that its ok to have a drink or so just dont get drunk/go way overboard because like the next day or 2 when your body is having a withdrawl from the alcohol is when your in danger of having seizures.... Its a depressant and it stresses/triggers seizures. The thing I hate about drinking (i have epilepsy too) is i have one or 2 drinks im sleepy and thats common. Alcohol makes your side effects worse. Having a drink or 2 every fri or once a month wont hurt just dont over do it .Caffine isnt good for us because it a stimulant (yea you can have a cup of coffee or pop but not a caffine pill) and it raises your heart rate up. Feel your pulse after you come out of seizure! Caffine isnt very good w/our meds, the meds are to sorta chill our nerves. Good that you quit smoking not good for anyone.Take Care!