exercise help/advice

Hi,

I am in week 5 of a 12 week running plan as an interest but also weight loss. I tried the plan a few months ago but it triggered seizures and I have tried again and still have seizures during or after runs. Why does my brain do this? is there food etc that may help?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Iona,

I have found due to energy levels, walking is much better for me than running. I have had epilepsy for 41 years now and am a constant 'fast pace walker'. Don't forget different energy levels can affect one's blood flow, hormones and also medication supply to the brain. We all want to lose weight at some point in our lives, but I suggest you change to walking instead.

Keep well.

Les

[sporan]

I'm a bit of a couch potatoe so really probably not the best person to advise, but none the less here goes.

According to my neuropshycologist the brain can and will get tired far more quickly than we think and need regular rest breaks of doing nothing with a capital N. I also find that when I get physically tired as well as mentally tired that I'm more likely to have seizures.

From what I've read elsewhere tiredness is a very common trigger for seizures so my guess would be the best thing to do would be to only increase your runs at the pace that allows you to control the tiredness and make sure that you get the proper rest breaks between.

As for food, I love it, but be careful if you go down the natural remedy or special foods/boosters route because any AED's you may be on can react badly, even with over the counter medications, making your seizure pattern worse so take some medical advice, preferably from someone with proper knowledge of epilepsy.

Hope this is of some help

Couch potatoe

Sporan

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hello iona_ellen,

Thank you for your message. This must be frustrating for you. No two people’s experiences are the same. Some people say that exercise reduces their likelihood of having a seizure, whereas others say it increases it.

NHS Choices recommends that everyone should eat a balanced diet, but there is no particular food we would suggest for a person with epilepsy. Try to make sure that the levels of medicine in your blood are stable by taking your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. This may reduce the risk of you having a seizure. It may also be helpful to talk to your doctor to make sure that your current medicine suits your lifestyle changes.

If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again, either by email or the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050

Karen

Advice and Information Team