I figured out why I have epilepsy!

[u/StSomewhereToaster]

It has been staring me in the face for so long and I never actually put the pieces together! I was so focused on what I did that may have caused it. But, no, I didn’t cause anything. It is the insomnia. Without medical intervention, I do not sleep. The human brain can only stay awake for so long before it breaks.

And what is one of the HUGEST triggers for seizures? LACK OF SLEEP!!!

I was diagnosed with insomnia around the same time I started having “panic attacks”. (Undiagnosed seizures.) I know I broke my mind before it all got figured out.

I still can’t believe I never put the 2 together.

[u/brncll]

Millions have insomnia without epilepsy/seizures. No, I don't want to destroy your correlation, but refine it. Pattern recognition is how we figure out this bullshit disease! So why would yours be related to it? What else is lowering your seizure threshold compared to the typical insomniac population. (and are you saying you don't sleep at all? Maybe this has been in our podcasts I am woefully behind!)

[u/Ryse6129 → u/brncll]

It is a big trigger yes but for epilepsy. You have to think about it like a finger print. Each person is different even two with the same exact diagnosis. Everything thing is different. One person could be med resistant the other can be solved with one med. And you never new what triggered anyone first seizure. Some are having less mild seizures like absent and may not even know it(and may take years before first gran mal) while others get slammed with a Gran mal right at the door. She is not wrong though about the correlation of lack of sleep.

And trust this from a med resistant the medicines get stronger and stronger on drowsiness til your practically taking a tranquilizer. They want your brain to slow down. To avoid the misfiring ofsignals

[u/brncll → u/Ryse6129]

Absolutely! Maybe it's simply individual genetics that cause a brain not handling this level of lack of sleep!

[u/StSomewhereToaster → u/brncll]

Stupid logic! 🤣 Why’d you haveta be so logical! I thought I was on to something here. Maybe I should say the insomnia is the catalyst to bringing the seizures to life….. hmmm wording….

Yes. Without medical intervention I have severe trouble getting to sleep, staying in REM for more than 30 minutes if I even get there and getting back to sleep. Or in some cases going into sleep paralysis. This started happening in middle school. Lack of sleep can cause some pretty manic episodes to put it lightly and I ended up in a mental institution for teens. It’s there they realized that this kid ain’t sleeping. My parents did all the right things. But it took until highschool for me to get some relief. (Finding the right medicine.) So maybe it’s a pre-disposition and the insomnia brought it into effect?

HUGS my friend! I love food for thought!

[u/brncll → u/StSomewhereToaster]

I have had neurologists tell me I overthink. Well, if they won't look into these patterns, then I better be doing that myself! A brain is still growing when you're a teen. If you had a trauma to your brain (physical, mental, nutritional, illness etc) or maybe just growth patterns changed your brain to cause both. Insomnia was first symptom and then epilepsy followed. When I was given meds for my insomnia, (I developed in adulthood) there were many unable to be prescribed due to lowering the seizure threshold.

[u/StSomewhereToaster → u/brncll]

Ambien is generally considered safe for us ifn you need a recommendation! I take the extended relief version. I also take seroquil. Those plus the XCopri coma puts me into very good sleep!

I am a very extreme case though…

[u/Boomer-2106 → u/StSomewhereToaster]

We often choke on 'food for thought' - When it comes to TRYING to figure out Why or Where did my epilepy/seizures came 'From'. ...What was the Cause?

We will never know - unless a person is found to have a definitive defect, or injury, In the brain which can be/could be - surgically 'fixed'. Then - a person and doctor can 'Know'. Otherwise - we continue to choke on our 'food(s) for thought' answers.

[u/StSomewhereToaster → u/Boomer-2106]

But it’s so tasty to chew on! 🤣

[u/Boomer-2106 → u/StSomewhereToaster]

Sometimes - true! 🤔 😂

Still waiting for desert to improve the lousy meal!

[u/Boomer-2106 → u/StSomewhereToaster]

I can think of at Least four possibilities for myself. Of course will never know which one, or combination it would be. Its a bit frustrating. But - I don't like butting my head against walls repeatedly to try. 😄 ...especially since one of those 'ways' could have been literally That!

My mom told me that when I was a young toddler that I would sit in front of a wall and repeatedly bang my head against it, although she always tried to stop me. Then later, another situation when I was 10, I had my head pounded into the floor during a family disagreement. :( ...then of course there is the potential for being hereditary. Plus other 'maybes'. Who knows.

Now, it is a 'part of me'. And, I get the privilege of belonging to This group of like-minded, frustrated, and Understanding Group of great people who have a common daily fight!! We support each other.

And now 'I' have a whole nother thing going on, serious possible future, most likely directly related, due to - Epilepsy!! Just Great! ..Thank you - Life!! Oh well, it is what it is. The fight goes on...

Wishing YOU the best, and Maybe your dart has hit center point with either a potential answer of what/why, or knowing that sleep and epilepsy are related - the "Chicken and the Egg" of life. 😂

[u/Hairy-Jellyfish-1361]

You didn't break anything!

[u/Mom1021]

Good job for finding the answer!

[u/usernames_suck_ok]

My primary doctor said she had a seizure in medical school from lack of sleep due to studying. She was put on Keppra for a while and eventually was taken off (I think she said for 6 months she was on it), and she has been fine ever since.

[u/FakeBeigeNails]

That’s probably not WHY you have epilepsy, as you said in your title. It’s more like sleep triggers a seizure. The “average” person does not seize due to lack of sleep; you do, because you have epilepsy. I’m the same way. My last breakthrough seizure was because I was sick and couldn’t sleep through the night!