Drinking with seizures

[Partner12345]

My partner had a TIA stroke last year and having absence type seizures so now on lamotrigine to help control it. He is still in early stages and they still having to up his medication to level where it will settle down. He likes to have a drink but I have noticed the absences have been worse on the days he has more than just a couple cans of beer but has been really struggling with his mental health and feel he drinks to mask how he feeling. I want to help him so much and try getting him to speak to people but struggling and its really upsetting. He does talk to people now but still drinking too much and I dont know what to do

[coady123]

try and give up the beer, i did, i have had to start drinking shandys or lager with plenty lemonade added, its for your own good really, it could kill you

[Partner12345 in reply to coady123]

Its not me its my partner who I'm asking about. Just i need help to try help him as I'm so worried about what could happen. He is quite reluctant to come on these groups and stuff so far or even can't get him to read about what he going through to help him find ways to make things better for him

[coady123 in reply to Partner12345]

yes i understand, i am on several medications for epilepsy, tegretol 200mg, zonisomide 150mg , lamotrogine 150mg and the worsed one of all clobazam 10mg, it put me in hospital twice because i drank beer on top of them, very dangerous stuff, i had to stop, i hope your partner gets better and reads this, god bless

[Mistypatches]

Hiya

Have you contacted any alcohol support groups directly? They may be able to give you tips on how to help someone reduce their alcohol intake, without it sounding like you are nagging or preaching. (I know you are not, but sometimes when someone is telling me something I know I need to do, but don’t want to ~ it feels like that to me. Maybe your partner is the same?) Also, if he is struggling with his mental health, you could maybe contact another of these groups to see what they recommend.

I do know it is horrendously difficult to watch someone you love with health problems. Even if they follow every rule and become super healthy it’s still stressful, so any added stressors can make your life super difficult, so please be mindful of your own mental and physical health.

Sorry I could not give any proper help and I hope you both get to a place of peace soon.

Take care.

[Partner12345]

Thank you for your comment. I will look into support as finding it really difficult and don't want to be nagging my partner. I love him to bits and want whats best for him but he is finding it very difficult to make the changes to help him get better. He is really stressed being stuck at home which doesn't help. Just wish he would listen to the professionals so he can get moving in the right direction

[coady123]

i was the same, i wouldnt listen etc but once i had the hospital visits i thought it was time to stop, drink is only a habit, like smoking, it is hard to stop at first and he might relapse like me but i hardly drink anything aloholic at all now unless there is plenty lemonade in it, it still looks like a pint just doesnt make me drunk which is good and now i dont miss the alcohol at all, how old is he if you dont mind me asking, i am 57, he can do it if he wants to, i hope it works out for you

[Msrble]

I also used to like a drink, I used to go to breweries ect and real ale pubs. I have the same problem the medication I was placed on for the seizures meant I couldn't have a drink.things for me progressed re the seizures and cause, I have a bin tumour, so I have to change uite a few things.I have been drinking non alcoholic beers and have found some of them o be very good, to the point a don't feel like I am missing out,and my local club as also started stocking one of the better ones for me, and is finding other people are also drinking it

Like I did you have to find a route that suits both of you, because your happiness is also very important

I hope it works out

[Considine]

It is wise to avoid alcohol but it can be very difficult particularly when stressed. Consider initiating other distractions such as a walk at a set time. Reflect upon your partner’s past/current interests eg theatre, cinema, sport and within the bounds of affordability explore the possibilities. A walking group, art group is likely to be local and company is a big plus. One obvious group to join us your local Epilepsy Action Group. My experience was/is nothing but positive and it put my own epilepsy into perspective. Hope this helps.

[Ronamac]

It will be difficult for your partner but their health has to come first. I was an absolute nightmare when I was younger 18-20ish, would go out every weekend get drunk with my friends but I’d always have worse seizures or end up in A&E. Being on first name terms with the local Ambulance Service is not what you want. Especially when they are joking with me about not seeing me for a few weeks, had I not been out or had I turned over a new leaf.

It will take a lot of adjustment for your partner & they will more than likely want to still be able to do and enjoy the things they could before.

I am now able to have 1-2 drinks, enjoy myself and know it’s not going to have an affect on my epilepsy. Most of the time, I now don’t bother drinking at all.

I hope your partner is able to make the adjustment. I had talking therapy for a while and really found that helped a lot.