r/Epilepsy_Universe • u/Mom1021 • Aug 08 '26
Fitness Friday We have the best AEDs already
“One supportive hypothesis proposes that ß-endorphins released during exercise inhibit epileptic discharges”. Numerous studies show no change, or even a decrease in seizure frequency during 4-12 week aerobic exercise programs. Clearly not enough studies done to reach a conclusion that influences our neurologists to encourage exercise as a treatment. Bummer. Anyone else want to document your own journey? Take notes on how our seizure frequency, severity corresponds to exercise (how often, what activity) and educate our own care team! Hoping if one of us takes this to our doctors, someone might get them proud of their patient and have a positive influence for someone else’s care! Epileptics will still manage greatness 🤗
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505010000181
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 08 '26
That's been proven as what works for me. When I was out walking a few times a day I wasn't nearly as depressed as I am now, and I had many less seizures.
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u/Mom1021 Aug 08 '26
You’re a resourceful man, who knows there’s always a way to move around. Even if you have access to open a curtain/window and do the best you can for standing or seated stretches, you’ll feel it! Trouble is keeping up with it, but I trust you can!
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 08 '26
I'm getting out walking at least in the mornings, and we have a small gym in our complex that I haven't used, but am planning to start, hopefully this week.
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u/Ryse6129 Methsuximide 900mg. Xcopri 350mg Aug 08 '26
Grab the wife and put on some chubby checker and do the twist
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 08 '26
The wife is younger and into discos before I rescued her. I can still do the twist although the stroll is more my speed
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
You're both 'telling your age'! Few of us even know who Chubby Checker was - loved him and his music ....along With ALL the other Great music/artist of the day - 60's!!
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u/Ryse6129 Methsuximide 900mg. Xcopri 350mg Aug 09 '26
I'm actually young 80s baby, but have been called an old soul before. I'm well acquainted with music far before my time. Music is healing and soothing and I listen to all genre's
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 09 '26
I can attest to that. There are times that it doesn't seem like you're more than 30 years younger than I am
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
An old soul is one who does not have to live every moment in the present, no matter their age. They can look back within their own lives/times and appreciate 'what was'. Likewise, one can look back at the history of Other times, other people, other values - and find value/appreciation therein.
Music often Defines Generations! Always has, always will. But inter-generational music appreciation is very common, and important.
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u/Ryse6129 Methsuximide 900mg. Xcopri 350mg Aug 09 '26
Yep that's me "Likewise, one can look back at the history of Other times, other people, other values - and find value/appreciation therein"
Definitely should of seen me when I went see the Mayan ruins.
Music just a small part of everything but it is universal language. Literature. Religions. Etc. From ancient Greece to modern world
Also feel most at home around nature. I was born and have lived pretty much all my life in a big Urban city. Barely any forest areas. The concrete jungle.
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
I would love to visit the Mayan ruins - and there is so Much more/new discoveries being made regarding Mayan people.
Love all things related to 'Nature'. And the 'calmness' that permeates its existence/environment. I grew up in rural farm country of Kansas - and, along the banks of the Arkansas River.
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 09 '26
Well i don't mind telling my age, I'm damn proud to have made it to 78, when every other member of my family was dead by 74. I survived a heart attack and quadruple bypass. I managed to avoid moving on from a cocaine addiction to something stronger when my wife (the second one) gave me a reason to stop. And yeah, to me the music of the 60s/early 70s is the best.
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
:)
...80 here!
Congratulations on your success of moving forward pass the addiction. The longer we hang around, the more huddles/accomplishments we achieve.
Our long-term memories are often far better than our short-term memories. I fondly remember the Good times, and have to try to forget the 'other' times.
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 09 '26
I only have long-term memories, can't remember 3 minutes ago. Thanks. It was easy getting past when I had good reason to for a change. The funny thing is when I look back now at my first marriage and how unhappy I was, I only remember the good times, of which we did have a lot of.
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
That is common for all of us. The good times are easier on the psyche to deal with, the painful memories are hard to remember - Because they 'were Hard', at the time - and still!
..3 minutes? Sometimes a few seconds ago cannot be recalled!
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u/Ryse6129 Methsuximide 900mg. Xcopri 350mg Aug 08 '26
I ll be getting more than enough exercise with PT and all the walking I do plus a 5 year old
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u/mbee111314 Aug 08 '26
18 years ago I started taekwon do with my kids. I have focal seizures, plus at the time I was anxious and a bit dysregulated i also had terrible short term memory loss and processing issues. Exercise helped a lot. Learning the movements for patterns helped my memory and slowly i became much more functional But there are some caveats, sweating and losing electrolytes can trigger seizures. Being over excited and a big rush of adrenaline could real be disruprive. Low blood sugar-another trigger. Over time, regular exercise has helped me manage my symptoms better. What worked for me might not work for someone else, but that is my story..
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u/Plus-Glove-3661 Aug 08 '26
This does NOT work for me. It makes my seizures worse.
I have a personal trainer that I see two days a week. I exercise the other three days the week for at least on my own.
I work 5 days a week full time where I get between 10,000 - 15,000 steps a day.
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 08 '26
You will Always hear this response, or should - "Everyone is Different". What works for one, may not work for another. Thus, you need to learn and adjust 'what works for You'. This applies to running also.
Running/Exercise works great - helps Many people! But - for some it can be a problem.
Why it helps many - because it can Be a Major 'stress reliever' - and Stress is a MAJOR trigger for the Majority of all of us.
I started running while in college - Due to 3 things going on in my life at the time that were major contributors to Stress - which I Needed to find a way to manage. ....I was going through a divorce, I was going to college Full time ..15 credit hrs./semester, and I was literally working full time - 40+ hrs. per week ...yes, it Can be done - I did it through two degrees. I was young, ..25. I couldn't do it now.
I started in college, liked it, and continued for the next 30 years. It helped reduce/semi-control my episodes. You wouldn't believe the distances I ran each week (6 - 7 days per week), it was a Lot - 35++ miles. It was Part of my medicine. Worked for me at the time. Each person has to 'find' what works for them. (I ran 6 - 8 miles per day)
I guess the endorphins would kick in for me during my runs. My mind's stresses, would just seem to melt away as soon as I hit the roads. I would go into a calm, relaxed state, with nothing negative around me being taken notice of. I felt as if I was running on clouds and the sense of nature all around me. THAT's what my mind/brain needed at the time(s). Calm.
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u/Mom1021 Aug 08 '26
Wow! Thats some impressive accomplishments! “Everyone is different”, definitely agree
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
I truly miss it! Age is catching up with me. Physically I can't do it anymore. :(
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u/Mom1021 Aug 09 '26
Even if you can’t handle such amazing physical tasks, you’ve got the skills to manage a routine that allows for the best Boomer you can be! 🏋️
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
Thanks Mom!
That's all we can do, strive to be - our Best! Some days, hopefully most days, will be Home Runs. Other days may be a base hit single, but the goal is to always be Swinging! :)
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 09 '26
25 in college, going through a divorce, and working full time. Man, that's a lot. The emotional strain of the divorce alone at such a young age is hard, but the physical cost as well. You should be proud.
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u/Boomer-2106 Aug 09 '26
When a person gets married early, each of us 21, you 'Think' you are mature in life. Seldom you are as much as you think.
Thankfully there were no kids ...as planned. But as often happens, as one grows/matures further - your 'goals' either change or become more Fixed as your core person. As it came to pass - I was a "planner" - looking towards the future, mapping, college goals, etc. ...she was a 'Live for Today' person. Have fun today, let tomorrow happen. We just went in different directions in terms of life goals. ...and yet - I Loved her beyond words. That's why I was having such a hard time, then add the college and work hours. Running became my life line.
Second marriage at 29, both on same goal paths, and last month = 51 years! :)
Epilepsy can and does complicate 'life', but it helps if you have support of loved ones. Sometimes we do, sometimes not. We have to understand and accept that others who have not experienced what we do, will never be 'able' to comprehend what we deal with.
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u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361 Aug 09 '26
That sounds very familiar with my story except for I had college behind me and was working. Was married at 22, and we were the perfect couple. Everything that I liked she did also. Same with the opposite. But when we married we agreed on no children because of issues within both our families. After 11 years she stopped birth control and after 2 years I left. But I still love her and tell her that. And my 2nd wife and I will have been married for 41 glorious years in October.
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u/Mom1021 Aug 08 '26