Expert: Brenda Martin - 10/19/2004

Question
Jan.2001 had first seizure under alot of stress for years.Worked withoilpaints and wallpaper.Had next seizure two and one half years later.Preceded by a feeling like a wash going over my body-6hr. later a seizure.Same as first time.Preceding week-bleached my hair 4 times and put on self tanning gel for the first time 3 days in a row.Used chemicals to clean bathrooms .DO you think I could have had a toxic reaction?Do not want to use drugs.I'm afraid.  

Answer
HI Linda, From what I can gather you have only had 2 seizures correct? And they were 2 1/2 years apart. Yes it is entirely possible that chemicals brought on the 2nd seizure, and I know from experience, stress can cause one also.

It is up to you whether you take tablets or not, I know personally, if I had only taken 2 seizures I would not even consider taking their drugs. Don't let anybody push you into believing it is the best alternative, because its not.

My friend's son took 2 seizures also about a year apart, the dr's suggested drugs, but his mum would rather try to find out what could have caused them, she discovered that her son had tried "Hash" the first time and the second time he had been in the company of people who were smoking hash.

He has never tried hash again and makes sure he is never in the company of those that do and he has never took another seizure.

You are correct not to want to take drugs for epilepsy, especially when you have only taken 2 seizures, put it this way; if I knew I would only take one seizure every couple of years without drugs, I would most definitely come of my drugs.

The dr. cannot guarantee the drugs will stop you taking seizures anyway, I took them for over 30 years and still took seizures.

Epilepsy can be scary, so my advice would be to, find out all you can about seizures and their causes, you will find many, many people take a few seizures, but it doesn't mean they have epilepsy and they might never take another one.

All the best
Brenda