Migraine related seizures

[RobinN]

A relationship between epilepsy and migraine has long been postulated, but the nature of this interaction is still debated. We studied adult patients with epilepsy and investigated the relationship between migraine and epilepsy. Fourteen percent (n = 412) of adult patients with seizures were identified with a diagnosis of migraine. We also found a direct relationship between migraine and epilepsy (a migraine-induced epilepsy) in 1.7% (seven patients) of the patients with seizures. Patients were at increased risk for both conditions if they had migraine with aura and catamenial epilepsy. The seizure began during or shortly after the migraine aura in all of the cases and preceded the headache. Three of four patients who were refractory to management with antiepileptic drugs using either mono or combination therapy improved seizure control with combination antimigraine and antiepileptic drugs.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10595289&dopt=AbstractPlus

There are a lot of prescription painkillers that relieve migraine headaches. But neurologist David Buchholz of Johns Hopkins University takes his headache patients off the drugs.

"I tell people to use the power they have in their own hands to control their headaches," says Buchholz.

Many headache doctors advise their patients to avoid certain foods and beverages. Caffeine, MSG and chocolate are usually at the top of the list. But Buchholz' list includes many more food products.

****
The diet plan is based largely on Buchholz' own observations with patients. He has refined the list through a process of trial and error spread over two decades with a few thousand patients. His theories haven't been proven by controlled studies.

Some headache specialists think he's made too much of the dietary triggers. But Buchholz is convinced that about half his patients benefit from diet alone.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5364970
http://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-12-23-buchholz.htm

 

[RobinN]

I was just sent this from Dr Blaylocks report and I thought I would share his migraine suggestions here:

Q: Can anything stop a migraine headache attack?

A: There is a good remedy based on the central causes of migraines that stop attacks within a couple of minutes. Mix the contents of four capsules of magnesium citrate/malate (from Pure Encapsulation ) and one capsule of calcium pyruvate (1,000 milligrams) with 4 ounces of water and mix well. Drink this
and then eat a complex carbohydrate with some type of meat, such as whole grain bread and organic turkey or chicken. Just a half a sandwich will do. The supplement mixture reduces the vasospasm and vasodilation cycle, blocks excitotoxicity, raises energy levels in the brain and reduces inflammation, which are the causes of the attack. Hypoglycemia is a major trigger for a migraine attack since it increases brain glutamate levels and lowers magnesium levels, which are the reasons for the attack.

 

[RobinN]

An Australian study shows that safe, inexpensive B Vitamins and folic acid could be two powerful heavy hitters in the fight against migraines. Professor Lyn Griffiths of Griffith University said a trial found that vitamin B and folate significantly reduced the symptoms associated with migraine.

“The trial provided vitamin B supplements and folic acid to more than 50 longterm migraine sufferers for six months,” said Griffith, who is director of Griffiths Genomics Research Center. “Results showed a drastic improvement in headache frequency, pain severity and associated disability for those treated.”

Migraine sufferers have severe headaches that can trigger symptoms including nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to bright lights and sounds. Attacks can last up to 72 hours. Migraines are usually treated with powerful painkillers.

People who have migraines also often have higher than normal levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which is known to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. “The recent trial was founded on the theory that vitamin B supplements and folic acid will reduce the homocysteine and in turn, improve migraine symptoms,” said Griffiths.

“Current treatments for migraine are not always effective and can be expensive and cause adverse effects,” she said. “The success of our trial has shown that safe, inexpensive vitamin supplements can treat migraine patients.

“We are now going to undertake a more extensive trial and further studies to find out the best dosage of vitamin supplements for individuals as this may vary depending on a patient’s genetic profile.”

From Newsmax.com health alerts 2/17/09

 

[Chefgirl30]

I don't know if this is relevant, but the only thing that has stopped a migraine attack for me is a seizure.

Before getting desensitized, Maxalt, Imitrex, and Amerge all worked after 1, 2 and 4 hours respectively - now nothing does. But having a seizure during a migraine is the only thing that has ever actually cut a migraine attack short, personally.

 

[RobinN]

I do not get migraines anymore, since a wonderful doctor suggested that I try ionic magnesium. This has made a huge difference in my life.

 

[warrior]

Hi i am new to this site so i would give you what my symtoms are in relation to headaches i do not get headaches before the attacks what i get is a tingling on my right leg from my big toe and it travels through out my body all the way to my head where the seizure begins after the seizures subsides then the headache comes on and if the seizure is really bad i would not be able to see for between 8 and 24

 

[warrior]

that is if i do not take my meds that is the only way i get these attacks

 

[Chefgirl30]

So far, going to the chiropractor has helped. Now I only get menstrual migraines. Started weaning myself onto Topamax three weeks ago with the hopes of relieving both the migraines and seizures (frontal lobe epilepsy, scar tissue from febrile seizures). Will wean myself off of Tegretol eventually, probably in a couple months.

The migraines started about six months after starting Tegretol, about 10 years ago. I never made the connection but a naturopath did. I knew the headaches and seizures were related even though a neurologist actually chuckled when I made the suggestion a few years back, but didn't make the medication connection. Are there any neuros out there with a heart?

Between my hypothyroidism -- not related but, as always, affected -- and now all this, it's hard not to feel like a petri dish these days.

 

[warrior]

I am on tegretol art this time and i have been almost from the time my parents and i found out that I have epilepsy but I did not know that this was a side affect of this drug or maybe it affects each individual differently as for this neurologist I think he is one of the few like that do not worry about him

 

[carlasmoore]

Migrains & Seizures

I have had few grand mal seizures since 1985. I only have seizures in my sleep. When I get a migraine, I have to lie down and go to sleep, which I know a grand mal seizure is coming. I have been on Tegretol only and am controlled unless I'm under enormous stress and/or sleep deprivation. :soap:

 

[katie's mom]

Thanks for posting this Robin! I have had the worst migraines since age 10 and so far the only thing that's helped was a new drug I found in December called Treximet (don't know if/how it interacts with AEDS since I'm not a seizure patient myself). I really like the diet idea though. I'm a little bit angry at drugs in general right now vis a vis my daughter's recent troubles I hope I won't get angry at diets, too, if the Keto doesn't work but I'm trying to think positive

 

[Chefgirl30]

I am on tegretol art this time and i have been almost from the time my parents and i found out that I have epilepsy but I did not know that this was a side affect of this drug or maybe it affects each individual differently as for this neurologist I think he is one of the few like that do not worry about him

Oh, I don't know about that. Either I have had bad luck, or there aren't many good neuros out there.

This one chuckled when I suggested a connection between my migraines and seizures. The first one completely dismissed the idea that febrile seizures could lead to epilepsy later in life. He handed me an Rx for Dilantin - the worst seizure drug you can give to a hypothyroid patient - and then retired. The second one just couldn't figure out why I needed 16 hours of sleep while taking Dilantin, but as long as I wasn't seizing, thought that was perfectly fine. Apparently having a job or any sort of life isn't really important! Living in different states, being on public assistance or private insurance, hasn't made a difference. I could go on.

When I mentioned this to my current GP, who I absolutely love, she nodded vigorously. I'm waiting to see the neuro she referred me to, hopefully he's a good one that will listen. Even among doctors, neuros and specialists in general are not known for their bedside manner, and it shows in how they treat their patients.

I hate to be such a negative nancy but I swear my attitude didn't start out bad. The experiences just haven't been good so far.

 

[RobinN]

Just remember that Epilepsy is only a label. It only means two or more seizures.
There is a cause... we just need to be diligent to find out why, if our medical gurus can't figure it out. Some learn rather easily why their seizure threshold is low, but for many others, they are put on meds immediately and never have the chance to figure it out.

 

[warrior]

Hi carla in terms of stress when it is coming just step back from it especially if it is work related and relax a little we need to take care of ourselves and if you can manage that part of your seizure that would be great

 

[Joyful]

Wait - did you say Dilantin was not good to be on if you are hypothyroid?! Wow! I've been on both Dilantin and Depakote formost of my life (over 30 yrs), and I have hypothyroid as well as epilepsy. Should I mention this to my Doctor?

Also, my aunt has migraines w/ aura,could there be any kind of genetic link there? noone else in my family has epilepsy. I asked this already, I know but just thought I'd ask again.

 

[Cint]

I was on Dilantin years ago and was taken off because of my thyroid problem. Yes, you need to mention it to your dr. I'm surprised you've been been on it for so long since you have hypothyroidism. But many of the AEDs can interfere with the thyroid, so the docs need to be aware of your thyroid problem. Hypothyroidism does run in my family, tho.

I also get migraines, but to my knowledge, I'm the only one in the family who does get them.

As far as a genetic link, here is what I came across:

http://www.epilepsy.com/article/2013/2/migraine-and-epilepsy

The investigators found that the prevalence of a history of migraine with aura, but not migraine without aura, was increased in patients who had two or more additional affected first degree relatives. This connection supports the hypothesis that there is some type of genetic relationship between patients who have epilepsy and patients with migraine with auras

 

[Joyful]

Clint, I really appreciate this. Just the kind of thing I was wondering about.

 

[Chefgirl30]

yes, talk with your doctor !

The amazing thing for me is I found out about this a few years after I stopped taking it. You'd think complaining about sleeping all the time, no short term memory and being freezing all the time (in Phoenix) would have clued her in to say hey let's check those thyroid levels but no.
I'm on Lamictal right now, so far the only med that has worked without hitting my thyroid.
I'm surprised you've been able to take it, but my hypothyroidism is pretty severe, since I was a baby.
It doesn't hurt to check and there are a ton of anti seizure meds, Dilantin has been around a lot longer than most, and newer ones tend to have less side effects IMO.

 

[Joyful]

This is so fascinating to me. I mean, my doctor knows that I have hypothyroid, and just a few months ago he RAISED the dosage of my Dilantin by 100mg.
So now I'm taking 2500mg of Depakote a day, 230mg of Dilantin a day, and for the times when the seizures get really bad, I take attivan.
What you described sounds exactly like me, short term memory has really been bad lately-almost scarey. I'm always cold(south Louisiana),and my sleeping habits are not the best.
I just had a series of small seizures off and on around 5:30 this evening - lasted maybe an hour. I fell asleep for a while - just woke up a few minutes ago. This brings me down, but as AlohaBird once said, "Don't give up hope" I won't.
One note, I was about 10 years old when I was first put on Dilantin. Did not discover that I had hypothyroid until I was in my 30's.

I thank God for this site. It has been so helpful and informative. I wil definitely speak to my Dr. about all of this.