posted
My brother in law just suffered his 2nd Grand Mal Seizure, and I'm wondering if I should suggest he get tested for lyme?
He was just given a spinal tap, and it came back without any results of anything. (I'm not surprised), so he'll leave the hospital (again)without any "reason" for the seizures. I don't yet have a list of his meds, but thought I'd throw this out for some answers.
Here are some of his ongoing symptoms: flu like symptoms off/on deja vu forgetfulness bouts of sweating
He lives in another state so I'm just learning about some of his health issues.
My question is what are the chances of seizures being caused by infection? I've done searches here and noticed that some "in" treatment get seizures....could it be in reverse for others?
thanks for any feedback, as we know this is never an easy topic of discussion when going against mainstream docs.
btw, I'm in treatment for lyme with Dr P in CT so I have all the info needed to send him. Thanks for thinking you need to welcome me with all the wonderful helpful things you do, but I already have them stashed away in my Favorites file. Posts: 158 | From PA | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Greatly. I was suffering them just as I was drifting to sleep. My husband said I was having them in my sleep in the middle of the night. Sometimes they would wake me up, sometimes not.
While waiting for the results of my Fry lab and western blot, I went to a neurologist. Actually, he was my second neurologist. The first one put me through all the tests, MRIs, etc. then told me everything was normal.
After getting a copy of my report, I noticed some markings. Didn't seem normal to me. Daughter's LLMD said to see him, and the neuro.
The neurologist and I looked at my MRI scans (something the first neurologist never did). There were white dots all over my brain.
He said, which shocked me, "It appears you have had some strokes. But, I don't believe they are. I believe it's due to infection".
Holy crud. Next week, band 41 was positive, as well as a few viruses. I am now on Biaxin, and haven't had any more seizures.
My daughter had white spots when she first got ill. Three years later, white spots are gone.
Some on this board get seizures all througout the day. Do a search. Print it off and send it to him.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I've dealt with a few kinds of seizures, some grand mal. Yes, he should be evaluated for lyme, other tick-borne infections and other chronic stealth infections, too, such as mycoplasma p. or Cpn - even HHV-6.
FIrst, he should have been given IV magnesium mix in hospital but I doubt they did that.
Glad you have all the details of what to send your brother so I'll not "go there" but will add some links for supplements that have helped me lessen seizures.
You said that some "in" treatment have seizures and that's because this is just so complex and there is no magic bullet. Most seizure drugs are very toxic to the liver and I've done much worse with the. But I also have porphyria so that explains a lot with a stressed liver.
As for if some seizure meds might help in the time being, I suggest first trying Neurontin as that is the least toxic choice and works more through the kidneys than the liver.
But, actually, first I'd do IV magnesium and taurine with a good LL ND and back up with other ways to get the magnesium up there. But most people want to start with the drugs and - it is certainly best to use whatever each person needs to prevent accidents and injuries but being as safe as possible for the liver and kidneys.
Andrographis has been the most helpful along with Magnesium and Fish Oil. Schizandra Berry, too. sometimes spelled with an "s" where the "z" is.
I'll be back with support links for stuff that has saved my life.
Does he live is a state that has access to LLMD or LL ND?
He is lucky to have you to help figure out some keys here. I'll come back with links for stuff I've mentioned. -
[ 01-03-2010, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
Beyond the fact that seizures often go with lyme (infections &/or too many toxins can cause seizure in ANYONE, as can low magnesium, all as Marnie often points out.
Also, in my case, the inner ear is connected to the seizure startle. Not unheard of for inner ear disorders but most doctors don't realize that when the inner ear signals get overwhelmed, so can the brain - and the adrenals - and all bets are off.
Adrenal support is key to good seizure control.
===============
ingesting even a trace of aspartame or MSG? Even a trace? check even your cough drops, toothpaste, etc.
B-12 shots have helped me tremendously. A special kind is mentioned here:
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I mentioned above that andrographis had helped to calm the initial hitting of the switch from a startle so that seizures don't shoot me to the moon like a rocket.
When I did allicin, that also was of help but I had to stop that protocol due to funds.
Andrographis is much more within my reach, though it does make one more tired whereas allicin does not have that property. Andrographis is okay for use regarding porphyria. It can actually help the liver in this regard.
Still, I've studied andrographis research and it has many good qualities so I'll stick with it (in absence of a LLMD in my world).
Just as with allicin, many LLMD also incorporate andrographis into patient plans.
For an intro about andrographis, many good pages of research in this book.
Andrographis combined with eleutherococcus, licorice, and schisandra has shown promise for a genetic disease called familial Mediterranean fever.24, 25 . . . .
. . . Andrographis can be important if Borrelia is present and is helpful for Ehrlichia and Bartonella. For Babesia, Artemisinin is often effective. ...
posted
thank you -thank you -thank you -for all the quick responses so far.
kelmo, his MRI's were clean, no stroke, etc. but this is a small hospital, and I too wonder if another doc would see things differently.
Please Keebler send whatever you have, I just wanted to save time thinking I was new to this.
I posted for docs in Iowa where he lives, and already spoke with a gal who heads a Lyme Group. She was so HELPFUL regarding a good LLMD. how lucky was that?? all in one day, a Sunday.
As for IV Magnesium, that's doubtful because he's in a small town hospital, but your info is invaluable.
Posts: 158 | From PA | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I mentioned the importance of adrenal support for all patients who experience seizures. Curcumin may be a good place to start:
posted
how true kelmo, I have some work to do to get this poor guy to a LLMD....and all the old and new tests can go with him.
Keebler: really interesting links on natural supplements, thanks for your input.
I will be going to UPS with a box full of printed materials for him. Posts: 158 | From PA | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Good luck. I hope this works out well for him.
One note of caution and protection:
Just in case - If your brother drinks alcochol or uses sleep meds or other medicines, I hesitate to suggest herbal formulas.
He may well be very clear about safety and all but when suggesting new things, I do hope that anyone new to these things will have common sense. Not at all meaning to put anyone down, but some of the herbs and supplements are my lifeline as they are to many others.
It just takes one case of one herb swallowed with a beer to cause reactions. In nearly all cases like this, the supplement is held to blame, banned, and the specifics around life-style choices that may be connected to side effects are often not even considered by the reporting parties.
So, please understand my afterthought about safety. No amount of alcohol should be consumed - at all - when using herbs. Other Rx that stress the liver, too, should not be mixed with herbs.
For prescription drug and herb safety notes:
A few ITM links regarding SAFETY and INTERACTIONS:
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic