seizures

[MaidenMinx]

I had one on Monday. Woke up and just couldn't shake the dreaming sensation so asked hubby to stay home to look after our little man since it's school holidays. I spent the majority of the day sleeping. Early after noon I tried to eat a sandwich, had a mouthful of energy drink and went back to sleep. Next thing I know I'm being walked down my front steps to an ambulance.

I spent quite a few hours in ER. I had bloods taken and a CT scan done. They asked about my drinking habits, which have been way off the charts lately (6 standard drinks in a day is not uncommon, though I haven't been drinking everyday). All my tests came back clear causing the Dr to state that the seizure was alcohol related.

What I didn't think to mention was how many bloody energy drinks I consume. I drink atleast 2 a day most days of the week. Is it possible that the seizure could have been related to the energy drinks rather than the alcohol?

[vashti]

Unless you had a previous history of having a seizure disorder, then I'd say no. I'd bet on the alcohol, too. 6 drinks a day for a woman is a LOT of alcohol, and you don't have to drink that routinely in order to produce a seizure. Your brain is telling you to get a hold of your drinking, and speaking as a nurse who has to detox drunks routinely, believe me when I say that you would die of humiliation if you saw how disgusting they are when they come to my floor.

I'm not trying to be unkind. I am just telling you the reality, in hopes you will be motivated to stop.

Also FYI - the time a person will have seizures from drinking is NOT while they are drinking... it's after they stop/pass out. And also while they are detoxing.

[MaidenMinx]

Thanks Vashti.

I must admit, I really don't feel like I drink a LOT. I know I have been drinking quite a bit but I didn't think I had crept in to the a LOT side of things.

Now that I have had a seizure, how much more careful should I be? I know I have to cut my drinking right back but should I be looking at permanently abstaining from alcohol? Even if they didn't contribute to the seizure itself, should I be more careful with the energy drinks? I am definitely boosting my general looking after myself, I'm just wondering how boring I have to get. :p

[vashti]

The fact that you drink in quantities large enough to produce a seizure would make me want to say that you shouldn't drink at all, since you obviously don't stop when most people would. However, since you don't seem motivated to stop, I think you would have to ask a doctor/neurologist about how much you can safely drink. However, I am pretty sure they won't know, either.

My daughter had/has a seizure disorder for most of her life, and she DID have seizures (on occasion) after drinking an energy drink. However, I've never heard of an energy drink causing a seizure in an otherwise healthy person.

[vashti]

MaidenMinx - If you want to, you can PM me any further questions, and delete this thread.