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UPDATED: Tue, 12/13/2005 - 1:58pm
Butter...
Smoking cigarettes and seizures....
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I've been a smoker for about 13 years or so now. I'm not a heavy smoker by any means, and I go through a pack every 3-4 days. I just wanted to find out from "other smokers" on this site or any non-smokers who even may know....Does smoking affect epilepsy at all?
By Butter... at Fri, 07/29/2005 - 8:07pm | 4019 views | 42 comments
Recent Comments on this Discussion
Yes it does. And if you think you're not a heavy smoker, think again. one pack in 3-4 days is still a lot. I used to smoke a bit but quit. Smoking does make youre seizures increase. Once I was smoking with a friend, I ended up having 2 seizures after that on that day. It's bad for you! Stop while you can. Because if you get lung cancer on top of your seizures... think of how you'll feel. My aunt died of 2nd hand smoke. So please, stop smoking while you can!
My experience is unlike any I have read about. Every seizure I have had has had two things in common. Firstly they have been late afternoon and secondly they are just after I have had my first smoke for the day. I usually start smoking when I wake up and this seems to ok, I have also quit a few times and this has also been fine. However if I dont have one all day and then have one late afternoon I have problems.
Hi Guys,
I smoked for about 10 years, and I gave up cold turkey 14 weeks ago. My TLE went bonkers within 3 days of giving up, I was almost in a constant state of Simple Partials for weeks - and they progressed to Complex Partials often. Apart from this, I don't feel like the ciggis made my TLE worse while i smoked.
But some how, I still haven't had a ciggi! haha. This might sound really stupid, but I am really proud of myself for getting through it.
I think everyone is different. Just like all sorts of things set us off or trigger us.
Bedge
I'm a smoker; have been for quite some time - about a pack or less a day. I quit for about 14 months and thought I could kick the habit but started back up after a crisis in the family. Yep, it's a hard issue to handle and a nasty habit for sure. I actually thought a few times about quitting but every time I've set the date on when to quit something else comes along that throws me into overload stress.
One of the few issues I have concern for is weight gain - I won't deny that. Weight gain does funny things when it comes to taking the AC meds so that's a concern. The other concern I have that follows is what to use when quitting. When I quit before I used the patch and it did work but the weirdest dreams I could have done without, very disturbing and I did not like that feeling at all.
hello friend im new to site and have the same problem if i smoke i will have no attacks at all at night i do not know what to do if i stop i get attacks 1 after other any idea what to do my attacks only come in my sleep
i have same problem as you i only get attacks in my sleep if i smoke i get no attacks night or day but if i dont smoke i get attacks every 10 mins that wake me and get no sleep i have now started to smoke over last few days no attacks at all but i can easy stop as u have i wonder if attacks will go away in time i stoped last time for 8 weeks but attacks kept comeing i just dont know what to do now i dont want to smoke but then i dont want attacks all night i wonder what i can do i wonder if the answer is wear a patch all the time i just dont know what the answer is hope to here from you soon with any ideas you may or any 1 else may have thx steve
Bedge, I stopped smoking about 3 days ago and after a horrible time with my TLE I had to google and see if stopping smoking made siezures worse... looks like you're the only one with the same experience as me, so when does it get better? Because I'm not sure how long I can handle it!
I smoke a pipe and have not noticed any effects on my seizures, interestingly enough my Dr actually has told me to continue pipe smoking.
She says that while smoking is not the best of things to do, if it helps me to relax then she suggested I try not to quit at this time.
These words are found in a booklet I have which I was given at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) @ the N.I.H. titled: Seizures and Epilepsy Hope Through Reseasch.
On page 9 it says: Smoking cigarettes also can trigger seizures. The nicotine in cigarettes acts on receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, which increases neuronal firing.
Possible, but that does not mean such is always the case.
Their use of the word 'can' merely means 'is able' - ie a (possible) trigger.
Many things can 'trigger' seizures.. sometimes it's just using a hair dryer. Yet, many of us use hairdryers with no problem.
Smoking is stupid addiction, no question, and is known to actually cause some medical problems, but epilepsy is not one of them.
Btw..your quote is just medical terminology for what I already said. Smoking is an 'upper' which positivly affects those who's minds are horrifically dullened via depressants, albeit the sad fact that smoking is the known cause of other medical problems.
~sol
"My second sentence was to point out those with epilepsy that smoke must think of safety of others. The safety is fire. If the epileptic is smoking and has a seizure there is a possibility of a fire"
Why don't you just tell people here that they should't cross the street since they 'might' have a seizure on the road and get hit by a car?
Sheeshhh...
I've had epilepsy for 16 years more than you and I'm very grateful that I don't remember the misery of growing up among other children. And; despite not having smoked for over 6 months, I'll still defend those who do as I know the difficulty of quitting whereas that knowledge would be impossible for someone who'd never smoked.
I doubt people are offended by your words, as you have no direct insight into the effect smoking (an upper) has on a body filled with depressants (downers).
Opinions without first hand knowledge & understanding of both the immense difficulty quitting smoking or the way they can cause epileptics to feel better mean nothing.
~sol
I know nicotine is a stimulant, not a depressant, so I don't think there are any stress relieving ingredients in cigarettes. I have never drank, so, it was the worst habit I had. Notice I said WAS?? I've been tobacco free for 2 months!!! I haven't felt this good in years. The patch gave me night time t-lobe sz's, and I'm gaining weight, but my lungs feel great and I have energy to burn (the calories). LOL
No matter how socially unacceptable this sounds, tis the truff. I smoke, have for a long time. I have quit for two, years period of time, and thru each pregnancy. Not one day of that time did I not want a cigarette. Now THAT is very hard on my nerves and nervousness in me creates sz's. That I know for sure. I am the last person who should smoke as I have asthma and a lung lesion but there it is.
I also read somewhere at some time that in women who quit smoking the metabolism changes causing just women again, to gain 10 pounds even if their caloric intake doesn't change. I found that true in myself. I don't know if it was 10 pounds, I think it was far higher and I am 5'5". When I started again it didn't peal right off either. I had to diet and exercise it off. Wonder why the reverse wasn't true?
If I have to be hospitalized or am in say a test for hours or similar no smoking situations for hours? Enough that the nicotine levels start dropping seriously? I start feeling sz'y, awful. The bottom of my feet start humming then that starts moving up thru the rest of me until I'm thrumming all over.
I find this interesting because someone else just told me it is the very same for them. After I have a status sz which I tend to have and so does she? I have a gigantic craving for gallons of fruit juice and a cigarette, same exactly for her. Once I can convince someone to go outside with me to have a cigarette or frankly usually I sneak out carrying my IV bag in my teeth because no staff will go out with me? I have one cigarette and I feel tons better. Somehow that cigarette jinks my mind back a lot faster and sharper than if I'm not allowed. I wonder at times if I just detest someone putting their moralities on me saying it's not nice to smoke, therefore I can't smoke because THEY don't believe in it. I do not like being treated like an amoral 2 year old plus it's a real bad idea to p*ss me off when I'm still very postictal. I tend to go postal. If no one's haughty moralities will allow them to escort me to go outside for 5 minutes to have a cigarette as I recover? I sneak out. Sometimes I don't come back either. Which I hear about the NEXT time I'm in the ER. I don't care.
Gretchen
Well, you've found another idiot here since I smoke ! However, I do have concern for those around me (believe it or not, even us idiots sometimes have common sense and respect for others).
Barbie
***************************************
"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo
Hi Nabox,
No I'm not a moderator, but I do disagree with your opinion of epilepsy being affected by nicotine (as does my epileptologist).
If anything it makes coping easier as it wakes you up (nicotine is a stimulant) since you are filled with depressants to fight your epilepsy.
Also, having E makes many things impossible...driving a car, riding a bike, swimming in deep water, playing sports with a group of people (as you might seize) and smoking relieves that state of mind!
I had stopped smoking until after my car accident 2 years ago when I started again, then gave up last fall as I didn't want to be smoking when having surgery.
I don't plan on smoking regularly again, but once in a blue moon I'll have a cigar.
Calling people who have the odd glass of wine or who smoke in their own homes 'idiots' isn't accurate. In fact it is impolite.
In Canada, those uncontrolled can smoke grass !!
~sol
WHOA - hold up. I just got a little adrenaline jerk knowing someone thinks I'm an idiot. That may be, but do remember judge not lest you be judged. Calling ME an idiot since I have posted I do somke and posting many times I am an epileptic does not fall under being politically correct or not. That's, to me, a cop out. There are societal rules I started learning as a toddler of being kind to others. Having tolerance of differences from yourself. Respecting and recognizing that others have feelings, just like you. Name calling is a practice that should never get started but if it does, it should be stomped out in early chilhood and if that doesn't happen than any adult should take total responsibility for name calling, particulatly on a large public foroum, and have the sensitivity and inteliigence to realize there are many alternatives in getting your point across other than this method. I posted with trust of my fellow posters. Who was the idiot poster? Smoking is toxic, that's not deniable, but harmful thoughts and words are as toxic to the speaker as they might be to the recipient. I chose my toxin, apparently you have chosen yours.
I have flamed out at people as I believe you did on this thread. What it did for me and others was loose friends, hurt others, cause a disruption to feelings of personal safety all should have in this community. Start feelings of disharmony and distrust of our posting neighbors. I have not only ostracized the people or persons I flamed out at, but ostracized myself. It also created within myself a feeling of being toxic to myself and others by my harmful words and negative feelings. I'd like to say for me apologies have always solved all but the fact is once I've hurt someone they may be able to forgive but forgetting is in another category. I've sent out to them a warning that I have the capacity and I will use my harmful words to wound. Words are extremely powerful and should never be used with any less caution than a bullet to the heart.
However, I have also learned when I've hurt or insulted an unwitting other on this forum that I have then assumed a responsibility of nursing that wound I caused, if I have any decency left in me at all. I've learned that it does help to try and restore serenity and safety again here by publicly apologizing. It helps to restore that wounded person's sense of dignity and hopefully it will help others I care about, and care about how they view me, that I'm not a tyrant or a cruel person. I was a rash person and inappropriate but I recognized it, and feel I should make amends and am trying to do so by taking full responsibility for infringing upon the rights of others who didn't provoke me, yet I acted provoked and shot out harmful words that didn't add anything to the discussion but a negativity that is as contagious to others as the black plague. I should make these admissions without qualifications because if I qualify my apology by saying I apologize but....then the apology becomes as thin as water running thru a hole in a glass. It evaporates and all the recipient receives are justifications for your inappropriate actions, then x2. I don't feel you owe me an apology tho. I posted at will about who I am, what I do, and I'm not ashamed of anything I put in my post. I don't expect your feelings of perfection for myself. I'll respect your moralities but I will demand that you respect my own. No, I am not shamed by you into changing my post.
I don't have any idea what your political correctness quotient might be and again I don't feel that is anywhere close to this issue. You posted you were afraid of what the moderator might say about your post? Then you recognize it could be insulting or harmful to others which makes me think how arrogant can any person be to post their personal habits make them an idiot. How idiotic is that? Judge yourself, not me. I have to remind myself constantly that I am the master of the unspoken word. Once it is loosed than all others own it - or suffer from it.
May you find some peace.
Gretchen
Don't forget that some people discovered they had epilepsy AFTER they were already addicted to smoking. I know how hard it is to quit, I had been trying for years, and I know a lot of people didn't find out about thier condition untill adulthood.
Definition of a Complete Idiot: Those who do not conform or do as that person believes or does.
Color me an idiot...I think for myself and am perfectly comfortable with others making their own decisions.
There is a responsibility where second-hand smoke is concerned and believe it or not, I'm sure this is known even to those in the 'epi' world.
-Spiz
This was supposed to help how? Sometimes it's best to keep your thoughts to yourself here!
Question about nicotine patches:
I am a 33 year old female who has been a smoker for almost 19 years, and decided recently to quit. I have been wearing the nicotine patch, but seem to be experiencing more temporal lobe seizures than usual. I am documenting them every day, but it has only been a short time since I quit and a little too early to tell. If anyone has any information or has heard anything about the patch affecting temporal lobe seizures please, please let me know. All I have heard id that it is safe (even from my doctor) so I just want too see if anyone else has any experiences.
Thank you,
Susan
I just read an article yesterday about frontal lobe epilepsy and nicotine. They saw a connection between nicotine and reduced seizures. This may be location specific since in this form of epi they had identified the genes responsible for adnfle and they were nicotine receptor genes. I wouldn't take that as gospel since the study was only mildly conclusive. You might try googling it. Anyway, perhaps the nicotine was helping to curb your seizures and since you are on a lower dose with the patch you are seeing an increase.
Hi - I second what Maggie said. I smoke a pack a day also, and the only time I notice a difference is if I get a bad headache. Seems as if a cup of coffee and a cigarette help relieve the pressure and pain for a while.
Barb
Hi Barb -
It's probably not coincidental that a cup of coffee helps a migraine for you. The first migraine medication and/or therapy was caffeine. I thought I was right on this, but I checked to be sure. The very first ever Migraine headache remedy that workerd was called Cafergot. I can remember my mother taking them in the '50's. She had vicious migraines with her periods. Cafergot was nothing but a pill that was pure caffeine. The medication I use for migraines has 3 ingredients and one is caffeine. Also Excedrin's migraine headache remedy has of 3 ingredients caffeine, 40 mg, which is euqal to a cup of coffee.
Gretchen
Hi Gretchen,
You are right on about the caffeine. One of the earliest (and best) meds I took for migraines was Fiorinal, which has Butalbital, Aspirin, & Caffeine as the ingredients. It was almost guaranteed to knock the headache on it's rear! Thanks, and good to hear from you,
((( hugs ))),
Barbie
***************************************
"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo
Count me in too. I smoke almost a pack a day. It helps me to relax.
-Spiz
I smoke at least a pack a day, and the cost is killing me. Has anyone ever purchased from these sites, particularly this one: http://www.buydiscountcigarettes.com/genericcigarettes.asp ?
If this site, and prices are legit, I'll make a huge purchase first thing in the morning as I smoke Marlboro Lights, and my Father smokes Basic Lights. We both spend a fortune a month, and most of the cost is state taxes. For what we get as far as our tax dollars go to the city I live in, I feel no guilt in buying somewhere else and not paying all the state tax for the limited services our local gov't receives.