The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Ingredients to Avoid
Posted by Dolores (Noti, Oregon) on 07/09/2012
★★★★☆
Hello I was looking for help with seizure control because my 17 year old son will be going off medication by the end of this month, no insurance (husband lost his job). As I was reading some of the remedies from others I thought I could add something.
I have always controled my two boys seizures by diet. The information I read when they were 3 and 5 years (their first seizures) was from a naturopath doctor. She listed what needs to be avoided: chicken and chicken eggs. black and red fruits (plums, red apple skins, blueberries, strawberries, purple eggplant skins, red tomatoes etc. It is the pigment that is the seizure trigger also manmade dyes, so marshmallows with blue dye to make them white, milk will sometimes have blue in it, etc. READ the LABELS, then the man made stuff other than dyes... BHA, BHT, and MSG. So, BHA and BHT are in oils and fats... If the product has less than 2% of the chemical the manufacturer does not have to list it so you need to stick to your natural oils and butters or call the individual companies and ask if they have either of those chemicals in their products. MSG is everywhere. Look up "truth in labeling" they have a list and explanations about MSG (very good information).
This list of things to avoid has always proven true for my boys. If they would have a seizure (about once every 6 months or less) I could always pinpoint what "got past me" and caused it. One boy has stopped having them. But the younger still has them if I am not careful. The reason we went to mediation is because over the years I didn't realize that MSG was being put into so many more products under so many more names and he was starting to have little seizures regularly. He is sensitive and I want more help. I am going to try the baking soda and lecithin and vit C and magnesium as extra support for him.
I hope this list will help others, it has been very good for us. Also stress affects my boy, fever, overwork.
Good luck
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Babyangel (Sinton, Texas, Usa) on 06/26/2012
★★★★☆
Hello, my name is Katie. I had mild epilepsy since 11/12/2004 when I had my first grandmal it was induced by stress from seeing my mother stay in hospital 1 month (shes ok now) I took phenytoin 500mg for 11 months, the side affects were HORRIBLE! I was fine for years I knew to avoid foul stong odors such as from nail polish and hair coloring that made me feel I may have a seizure if I was around that odor long. I had a few close calls I drank herbal tea called chamomile to relieve the "yucky" feeling I may have a seizure. I let the tea bag sit in the coffee cup of water I put in microwave 2 mins sit in the water 15mins to make it stronger, if it was an emergency I would get the chamomile tea stems and chew on it like gum, I had 1-3 mild nocturnal seizures each year I knew it was about to happen when I felt the extreme "deja vu" feeling. I started to take a herbal vitamin called valerian root since I had trouble sleeping.. This worked very well 2-3 each night and I had no more nocturnal seizures
I started getting older so, like many other young adults drinking became common for me. My finst few yrs I was fine having 6-8 beers. Then around oct 2011 I started to binge drink 10-12 beers at a time 2-3 times a week until I had a simple partial seizure feb 15 2012 from the bad hangover that triggered it. I did not see a doctor right away I just stopped drinking and smoking tobacco. I still did not feel well I had "close calls" daily and had 2 more simple partial seizures. I finally saw a doctor march 16 2012, I explained to the doctor I never want to take dilantin again. It was so horrible, so the doctor gave me something thats helped ALOT, .50 mg alprazolam (generic xanax) I feel relaxed now, I havent had anymore seizures or closecalls. I break the pill 1/2 so I take only .25mg of xanax at time. I still drink chamomile tea. I also like to drink either cinnamon tea or take 2 cinnamon capsules in the morning that HELPS ALOT the cinnamon, I also take 1 Vitamin E tablet, and 1 omega3 daily.
Whats helped me most is exercising or staying busy on feet!! I havent drank or smoked in over 4 months now . And if you're taking a medication make sure you read online of warnings what may contradict that medicine thats very important.. and if you believe in god, keep something holy closeby. I personally carry a ring rosary always in my pocket with me and next to my bed when im asleep..
I hope I can help someone that reads this.. I wanted to post here hoping to help someone.. God bless you
Coconut Oil
Posted by Rosie (New Orleans, La, Usa) on 05/25/2012
★★★★★
I have had epilepsy since about 17 yrs old. Now am 34. Because I had partial temporal lobe type, I never took meds (scary side effects!!! ). But last year I started having seizures more frequently and I wanted to do something about. Did ketogenic diet (strictly) for about 3 weeks, then switched to low-carb. Still had seizures. By the way, seizures seemed directly linked to my protein/fat intake. Ate lots of almonds, etc. Not as many seizures, but not cured. About 8 months later, I started drinking teas on a regular basis, teas that aid in kidney and liver function. Still had seizures.
Then I got organic good coconut oil and started using as lotion every day 2x or more. 2 months into the coconut ritual, I had allergies/cold so I took massive amounts of Vit. C, zinc, echinacia, etc. I This was in dec and january of 2012. I realized about 3 weeks ago that I have not had a seizure in about 1-2 mnths.
I think it is the coconut. That is the only thing I do every day without fail. And I have only been putting it on my skin!!! I plan on eating a little bit every day.
Of course, my Dr. has no interest in my "cure."
All along, I have noticed a direct relation between my seizures and food intake, and in particular protein/fat. It's not protein, though, it's fat that I need.
Also, my seizures started when I was in high school and started skipping lunch and eating candy and drinking Cokes.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Hippocrates (Odin, Missouri, U.s.a.) on 04/28/2012 9 posts
Hello all, This is my first post. I figured that this information could possibly help someone. So here goes:
My grandmother once told me a story about her mother's sister, my great aunt (I knew all three women).
Way back when, when she was an infant/toddler, she had massive seizures. They called the doctor and he came out to where they lived and looked her over. He left and came back and gave her an enema of Blackstrap Molasses. I do not know the molasses/water ratio. I do not know if there was possibly anything else in the enema solution. As far as my grandma remembers, the doctor only did it the once, but was unsure if the family continued treatment on their own or not.
But soon after, she was cured of her seizures and never had any more for the rest of her life (died recently of old age).
Blackstrap molasses are high in Potassium. I postulate that either through direct mechanism or more likely through a Potassium deficiency being rectified by the addidion of Potassium into her system in large quantities, that it somehow cured her.
Again, not sure if this can help a child or possibly an adult with seizures, but I am just putting this story out there not as medical advise, but as something that has worked for someone in the past.
General Feedback
Posted by Sandhya (Kihei, Hawaii, Usa) on 04/21/2012
I was an epileptic for 41 years..... Started petite mal and went soon into grand mal..... Doctors said idiopathic.... No known cause. EEG 's were normal. Had to take 4 tegretols per day. I found out that more than half of all seizures are caused by a hit on the head.. Doesn't have to be significant. Years later seizures begin due to scar tissue which has formed. I did a test with an affiliate using Brain State Technology.... Called a brain map. It was the best EEG I ever had.... It not only said I had high seizure activity but where the activity was located. After 20 sessions I felt my brain waves to be different and asked for another Brain Map. Sure enough it had corrected the neurons sufficiently for me to use GABA amino acid (makes neurons fire regularly) and get off the meds within two weeks. It has been two years and no hint of a seizure. It also corrected PST which is inner anxiety and brain injury from a car accident... Whiplashed badly.
With your daughter I would begin here. You can't lose with this treatment as it improves your life in many ways. If you have to take meds while doing it make sure they are on the low level when doing the sessions.. Just before you have to take them again or you may be wasting your money or it will take longer as some medicines block the effect...
Ketogenic Diet
Posted by Nelson Narciso (Toronto , Ontario) on 04/06/2012
★★★★★
Hi, I highly recommend the ketogenic diet my son is 6 yrs old and has had all the seizures you can name and the meds are garbage. This diet can help to stop them with out meds please try this diet it really works you have to be very strict but its worth it.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Jeff (Florissant, Missouri) on 03/26/2012
On products containing aspartame they do put a warning for those with Phenylalanine, a nervous disorder that has caused adverse reactions to Aspartame, including seizures.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Julia (Colchester, Vermont) on 02/05/2012
Yes, common misconception about saturated fats, I did some research and found that the FDA kind of led America to believe that all saturated fats caused heart problems, untrue (there wasn't quite any solid research to back up those claims). Coconut oil is extremely good for you. I've just received an order I placed and am hoping it might help with my epilepsy and perhaps my memory which has been diagnosed on the 'lower end of normal'.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Harsha (Bangalore, India) on 02/03/2012
★★★★☆
After reading the great effects of coconut oil on a Alzheimer affected person, I started it in the new year. In a month I am seeing gradual results for my mild and frequent seizures.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Jtdds (Rochester, Ny) on 11/26/2011
★★★★★
I think I'm on to something regarding magnesium for seizure control. Before you spend a fortune like I did on Liquid magnesium, transdermal magnesium and Magnesium oxide supplements, try this...
Buy a small quantity of Epsom Salt from the drugstore. In a coffee mug, crush it into a very, very fine powder. Stir 1/2 to one teaspoon of the powder into a small sip of orange juice, open your mouth wide and swallow, being careful not to leave any magnesium granules at the bottom of the glass. My seizures are cured. DO NOT STOP TAKING YOUR SEIZURE MEDICATION UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR AND EVEN THEN TAPER OFF OF IT SLOWLY WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN'S ADVICE!
Eliminate Wheat, B Vitamins
Posted by Maisie (Portland, Or) on 11/21/2011
★★★★★
I recently brought my son to Portland Family Homeopathy in Portland, Oregon. He's had seizures for the whole first year of his life. Sometimes hundreds at a time. We were given a pretty bad diagnosis from a neurologist who wanted to put him on all sorts of meds. I asked her if there had ever been research about the long term developmental side effects of giving these meds to babies... She said no. So we chose to try to find other treatment options.
A friend of mine had recommended that I try Portland Family Homeopathy and so I did. We went and were given some really basic dietary information about what is good and bad for kids with seizures. Since we've cut out wheat and been giving him vitamin B supplements daily, he has been seizure free for 6 months now. Sometimes the answer is so simple.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Jody23 (Fort Worth, Tx) on 11/05/2011
I heard that Pfizer added Aspartame to the seziure drug Dilantin, when they changed the look of the capsule back in 2007. There is no proof that Pfizer added Aspartame to Dilantin, but why are some people having seizures who have not had a seizure in 5-10 years while taking the "old Dilantin"(Parke Davis 100mg kapseals). I called Pfizer and asked them if the formula had been changed. They said the look of the capsule was changed, but not the formula. I think something was changed, but Pfizer wasn't going to tell me.
Glutamic and Aspartic Acid
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 09/11/2011
★★★★★
A really good book on seizures and glutamic acid written by a Neurosurgeon is "Excitotoxins, the Taste that Kills" By Dr. Russell Blaylock. He has done extensive study on the subject.
Glutamic and Aspartic Acid
Posted by Jem (Austin, Tx) on 09/11/2011
★★★★★
one cause of epileptic seizures is an overdose of glutamic and aspartic acid.
many foods contain these amino acids in their free state which creates a shutdown of neurotransmitter production in the brain, along with oxidizing it.
i don't mean to be 'selling' anything, I have written a book on the subject of how dangerous these free form amino acids are to the brain affecting/causing everything from bi-polar disorder, anxiety, panic, rage.. to physical symptoms such as epilepsy, stroke, parkinson's, altzheimers..
the info is too vast to write here, however the main things to avoid are msg, which is freed glutamic acid and all things high in freed glutamic acid... there is a list of food substances in my book.
also, aspartic acid in nutrasweet, fried foods.. processed foods..
the biggest culprits, cooked food, soy, oats, barley, wheat, grains, nuts, seeds, .... The obvious processed foods/foods that outright contain msg... and aspartame...
hope this helps. My book is about to be launched through a site, if you contact me through this thread (as in, let me know you read this here) I'm happy to send anyone suffering from epilepsy a copy of my book.. you can donate later if it helps.
it will be the last version before being edited for the upcoming launch.... Not the final version... the info is valuable
the book is geared toward those who suffer from emotional disorders mild to severe and raising consciousness through live food
Gluten and Casein Free Diet
Posted by Sharon (Rio Rancho, New Mexico) on 09/07/2011
Jim,
I'm not sure about a regular doctor who does this, but I go to Lifetime Chiropractic in Rio Rancho, NM and for $25 you (or in this case, your daughter) can do a foot soak that will pull the metals out of her body. After that, they give you a tablet to take that replaces the good ones that got drawn out as well.
I am also on a harmonious foods diet. This means that I buy mostly organic foods so not to get the chemicals from the processed foods, and that I don't mix starches and protiens. The diet is based on digestion. It might be something you want to consider. You can find the food chart at www.drugfreehelp.com.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Sharon (Rio Rancho, New Mexico) on 09/07/2011
@ Maureen- I used to drink a LOT of sodas, but I never had a seizure from them. But my naturopathic doctor has told me that he would rather I had regular sugar than any sugar substitutes.
@ London- As I was telling Maureen, I used to drink a LOT of sodas. Since seeing this naturopathic doctor, I have not had any, with only a little lemonade or anything else but water. I would hardly drink water before, now I am either drinking it, natural juices, or milk (milk isn't considered a food according to my diet so I can drink it to my heart's content). Anyway, the doctor told me that reverse osmosis or distilled water was best (usually this is the kind without any bad taste). You can add lemon or lime to it if you need flavor (from a real lemon or lime, not the concentrates you can get at the store). Another thing I was told but haven't tried yet is baking soda - adding a teaspoon of baking soda to a gallon of water will ph balance the water and give more benefits.
I am drinking more water, on a harmonious food diet (more oganic food to cut MSG and other excitotoxins found in processed foods, not eating protiens and starches together) and I feel a heck of a lot better than I did before - more energy and less headaches are just a few of the benefits, and now, I don't even miss the sodas.
Eliminate Mercury
Posted by K. M. (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/05/2011
★★★★★
A friend started having seizures as an adult and couldn't understand why. All the scans and tests came up negative. He was put on medication but it just gave him bad side effects and didn't really help so he stopped taking them. Then he was sitting in a theatre eating thick taffy candies when he felt something happen on one of his back teeth but it was so fast he swallowed it. Turns out a candy had stuck to a loose mercury filling and pulled it off his tooth. He figures he pooped it out because after that all his seizures and mental issues went away.
General Feedback
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 08/14/2011
Flowerlady, sorry to hear about your daughter.
Here is an article from Dr. A. Hoffer on using Niacin to stop anxiety. It is vitamin B3 totally safe.
If you are worried that she "may" have a seizure then Magenesium would alleviate that.
Please read both articles but the 2nd one states that Magnesium deficiency can lead to seizures. You would need to have her "Magnesium Blood Levels checked". Anyway read the article. There is a lot of info on the below site.
Hope these help. Cheers
http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html
http://www.doctoryourself.com/epilepsy.html
General Feedback
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 08/13/2011
Not sure why you're having trouble getting a second opinion, but that's the route I would go for starters (and for certain). Definitely a second opinion.
A "slightly abnormal EEG" can be caused by many things, including things as benign as a migraine, drug/alcohol use and attention problems.
I have a daughter the same age as yours and I would absolutely get a second opinion no matter how many hoops I had to jump through to get it.
General Feedback
Posted by Flowerlady (Crossville, Tennessee) on 08/13/2011
A Dr. diagnoised my 17 yr old grand-daughter with epilepsy. I'm am not convinced of his diagnosis. She had a one time passing out and no seziure activity was present. She went to the ER and all they found was she was dehydrated. Her brain scan was normal and her MRI was normal. The EEG she had was slightly abnormal. The 72 hour EEG she had had some peaks and a small amount of high electrial activy? areas. She has a headache occ. and does not sleep regulary or eat properly. She is under alot of stress and has anxiety attacks occ. But she is your active average teenager in her senoir year of school and makes very good grades. They want to put her on Lamictal but I'm not convinced that she has epilepsy and the med has way to many side effects. The Dr. said if she took the med for 5 yrs and did not have a seizuer she could come off it. My other concern is what damage will it do to her body in 5 years. Having trouble getting a second opinion. Any suggestions would be appreciated.Thanks
Zinc
Posted by Suzanne (Abbotsford, Bc) on 08/07/2011
★★★★☆
I know someone who has had epilepsy since he was a young teen and has been on phenobarbitol for years. Most of the time it was controlled, but occasionally he would have a grand mal seizure and more often, petit mal seizures, particularly in the morning. However, my sister-in-law told me that in Africa where they lived for a number of years, there were many cases of epilepsy in an area that was zinc-deficient, so I suggested he start taking zinc. Since taking 25 mg of zinc (1/2 a tablet) every night, he hasn't had any trouble, except once when he was taking another brand of zinc. I don't know if I can mention the store, but the good brand was from SuperStore and the other was from an online vitamin place.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Danh (Prague, Czech Rep) on 05/03/2011
Hi all. I'm sorry for people with unsuccesful brain surgery. If I can advise, read the book Patricia A. Murphy "Treating Epilepsy Naturally". She cured herself from epi GMs with diet, brain control. Patricia, thank You for this book, you're smart and skilful. DanH
Epsom Salt
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 04/24/2011
Veronica, sorry to hear about your little boy. Please read the attached article. It is about someone recently diagnosed with epilepsy. They found out that she was hugely deficient in magnesium and something simple as magnesium (in large doses) was enough to get her off her medication.
Also the article says that anti-epileptic medication can deplete your vitamin E stores.
Has your son had blood tests for his magnesium levels? I would also now check his vitamin E levels.
You could also bathe him in epson salts (magesium).
Hope this is of some help.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/epilepsy.html
Epsom Salt
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 04/24/2011
Veronica, it would be a good idea if you read Linus Pauling's book "How to live longer and feel better". I could tell you what he says but it is maybe better to get the whole picture. He talks about children who had seizures and how they were treated with vitamins and minerals. A very interesting book by one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. When I finish I will post a review here. I hope this will help your son without the side effects.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Veronica (San Antonio , Tx) on 04/23/2011
Question for Steve... I live in San Antonio and I have a 3 yr old who's been on epileptic medicine for 2 yrs. He's been through 4 surgeries and is not seizure free. We're trying to find the right medicine and right dosage for him. I hate the way the medicines make him feel. I've been wanting to treat him the holistic way but I'm not sure how to or what to give him?? If you can refer a holistic doctor to me I would greatly appreciate it. He has simple complex seizures, he also had a tumor removed (which we though was causing them), but he's still having seizures.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Ahmed (Niles, Il) on 03/05/2011
★★★★★
I have 9 years old son suffering from nocturnal seizures since 3 months old. His seizures started after taking his first vaccination shot. We tried many medication for 3 years and nothing really worked. Then we started giving him herbal (ayurvedic) medicine which helped to control but did not completely stopped them. His EEG results showed improvement but at least we were happy as their were no side affects. We gave him for 3 years then stopped as it did not stopped completely.
After one year without any medication I found this link and read everyone comments. I have started epsom salt in orange juice. Last night when he got up from the deep sleep he was just staring at us but did not had any seizure or convulsion. I was really happy with this first step. I am going to continue this formula and hope and pray to God it helps him out. And I hope it helps to improve his speech. I pray for all of those who are going through pain. I am just worried how long should we use this epsom salt and are their any side affects on long term usage.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Steven Perez (Spring Branch, Tx) on 10/21/2010
You need to find someone experience enough to help you detox your dad. There are many things today that can cause individuals to have seizures. Besides detox, diet and proper hydration with no doubt improve your dads situation. I know from personal experience. If you can't find anyone to help you in your area, Please send me an email an I maybe be able to point you in the right direction. Steve
Epsom Salt
Posted by Tammie (Midland, Tx) on 10/19/2010
My father has a had severe night time seizures (not often) for a few years now that have become more frequent lately, we have gone to a neurologists and he is now on anti seizure medicine, Keppra - which he has had a severe reaction to including depression, suicidal thoughts and behavioral changes- needless to say they are changing his medication - now to Valproic Acid which we are concerned about as well. We would love to go with a natural remedy and get him off of all of these horrible medications. He is now also on Xanax which is making him act a little nuts, just trying to control his mood while weaning him off Keppra. This behavior is way out of the ordinary for him, he is normally a happy, smart, strong hard working man. He is now emotional, and miserable. I have read some amazing stuff about epsom salts and other remedies but there is a lot to narrow down in a hurry.
We are looking for a list and amounts of "must haves" for seizure treatment, in hopes of getting him off of all this horrible stuff quickly and as easily as possible. He has been on these anti-seizure meds for such a short period of time we hope to transition off of the quickly if possible. Right now he says he would rather live with seizures and forget the medications. Oh just FYI, he is a welder and has been exposed to heavy metals like manganese since the age of 13. Thanks for your help and information.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Faithinhealing (Forest Park, Ohio) on 10/16/2010
★★★★★
Remedy to Treat Epilepsy...
I read about a Ketogenic diet that was helping children with seizures control them! I tried it for a while but it was too difficult.. Although I had success... So instead I just started using 4 Tablespoons of coconut oil every day. It worked... I HAVE NOT HAD A SEIZURE IN THREE YEARS... Knock on wood! Please try it and get off the drugs today... Natural cures are the KEY!!!
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Posted by Ola (Gdynia, Poland) on 09/22/2010
★☆☆☆☆
Hello, my name is Ola and I'm 26. I have epilepsy for 6 years. Nobody could help my, becouse medicines don't help me. (on average 5 times a month I had epileptic seizure -not hard only - unconscious). My doctor suggested my VNS THERAPY. I didn't know what to do, I affraid. He didn't tell me about side effect. But I decide that to go on operation. After this operation I felt horrible. I couldn't speak for 0, 5 year. And I don't see an effect. Noone in my country could help my. I feel terrible pain when the stimulus is on. Maby it is badly implant? Epileptic seizure are the same or worse. It could't be adjust becouse I feel horrible pain. Now I don't know what to do. What should I do? could somebody help my?
Epsom Salt
Posted by Jualsy (Torrevieja, Alicante, Spain ) on 08/28/2010
★★★★★
It doesn't matter when you take it. The results will build up and you will see the difference almost immediately.
