Living Well with Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders: An Expert Explains What You Really Need to Know

11 years ago I bought and for the first time read this book, and now after 5 weeks ago then having a seizure, the first one after 2 ½ years and without drugs, I again have read it and some of the other books about epilepsy which I have bought since 2004, when then after 29 years having the second seizure in my life.Way back in 1975 I had the first seizure in my life, and which came 14 months after a skull fracture by a motorcycle accident at which my helmet fell off. But after this seizure no need in drugs and no problems by driving car or motorcycle. Then 13 years ago, in 2003, ¾ of a year after with my Thai wife from Denmark having moved to Thailand, I became so frustrated that I went to a neurologist and told him that I felt stressed as the result of my wife’s fighting against my driving motorcycles, scared by me being out there in the Thai traffic. So I became afraid that this stress might result in seizures. Way back 35 years ago I read the first book about stress. But the doctor didn’t understand my talking about connections between stress and seizures, so nothing was done.And then ¾ of a year later it actually resulted in a motorcycle accident caused by a seizure, the second one in my life and the first one during 29 years. And now the doctor told me that I was suffering from epilepsy, and then put me on a drug against this, and then the seizures started to come. And after then finally ending up in being disabled by among other no longer using the right arm, and driving, I then stopped taking the drugs, and the seizures stopped, until once again 2 ¼ ago and again 5 weeks ago, and actually both times after during previously weeks before talking about stress and missing of the important vitamins B6, E, and minerals calcium, magnesium, and zinc.After the seizures 5 weeks ago we then went to the hospitals just to control that my right arm not was broken, and then the doctor gave us 2 different drugs, which he told my wife that I had to take against pain and infections. But then actually the 4td and the 5th day after starting on these drugs I again had seizures, and then I went to the Internet and there discovered that actually they were drugs against epilepsy, and then I threw them away, and no more seizures.But to me in the book it’s especially interesting to read the chapter 6, 7, 10, and 11, where we are getting much writings about secures not caused by epilepsy, as we see by the title to the chapter 6, “When Seizures Are Not Epilepsy: Other Conditions That Look Like Epilepsy”. And in the chapter 6 we there read about neurological conditions as migraine, mini stroke, heart conditions, syncope (passing out), sleep disorder, and psychiatric disorder. Where heart condition can be that with too little blood, actually to the brain when standing up too fast or by high temperature.And in the chapter 7 we read about by test looking at how actions goes on in the brain, but also about how seizures can be the result of endocrine, infections, cardiovascular (abnormal heart rhythms), and toxic. In the book we don’t get much writing about vitamins and minerals, but much about drugs, but actually in this chapter there is a few lines about abnormalities of electrolytes, and in this connection the importance of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium for the nerves electrical function. So after this reading I in the future will start in also thinking on the sodium and potassium.In the chapter 10 we get many interesting information concerning factors that can affect seizures, by increasing the chance of seizures for people with epilepsy, but also result in seizures in other persons. I recall from another doctor’s writings that he in the emergency room through years got in 9 persons having seizures, and by later tests it then showed up that actually only 2 of them had epilepsy, and then only these were put on drugs. But in the chapter we also read about seizures as result of sleep deprivation, emotional stress, menstrual cycle, individual triggers (for example by hearing a special music number).By the chapter 11, “Thinking Outside the Box: Alternative and Herbal Treatments for Epilepsy”, we read about possibilities, other than drugs or doctor operation, against seizures which for some persons can be successfully. Of cause the well-known Ketogenic diet, but then also the herbals like among other: Kava, Saint-John’s-Wort, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, and much more. But especially I found it interesting here also to read about the natural hormone Melatonin, which is produced in a small box in the brain. This as I can’t recall having seen Melatonin connection mentioned in any of my other books about epilepsy. And actually I just started using Melatonin few days before reading this book, for sleeping better. And besides it turned out in unexpectedly also helping me in a strange case by when sleeping an awful feeling of burning in the right thigh starts, and this caused by a damage in the back, there no pain, and searching about this case during 8 years, and no doctor knowing anything. So very interesting to see how I furthermore by Melatonin, also am getting help against seizures. In other books we read about how Melatonin also helps against cancer, and in living longer.A good book by much looking on cases about seizures not caused by epilepsy. But in the book I would prefer much more writing about the vitamins and minerals, among other how many milligrams?

Having a diagnosis of epilepsy out of the blue at 45 , I found this book very helpful.It was well written this doctor clearly knows a lot about his subject.Although it was written many years ago knowledge of epilepsy hasn't changed that much.They basically in most cases have no idea what causes it. It reassured me about the two tabletsI take too. I felt better after reading it.

This is an excellent book and I recommend it, especially if you just found out you have epilepsy. Great bang for the buck. Thanks so much for making it affordable.

On June 3rd, I experienced a complex partial seizure, and as is common with me, I sought out books to understand what had happened. One of the books I purchased was, Living Well with Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders, by Carl W. Bazil.I found the book helpful and encouraging as I would recommend it to anyone going through any sort of seizure problem. The book is popular, so one should not expect this to be a detailed medical handbook. However, it does contain enough information that the reader understands how the band brain is supposed to function, what has gone wrong, and the options open to him or her.The author opens by talking about how the brain works and why seizures occur. He writes about the many types of seizures. There are and how it is difficult to determine exactly what causes any given seizure.Then he goes on to write about the differences between seizures in children and seizures ended older adults. He also writes about other conditions that did look like epilepsy, but are not.In chapter 7, he writes about how the diagnosis is made to determine if the seizure is epilepsy or some other seizure disorder or something else.In the second section of his book, he talks about the different medications that are used to treat epilepsy and other seizure disorders. He explains many of the basic pros and cons of these medications which is helpful as one talks to one's doctor in pursuing medical treatment. I know I found these descriptions helpful as we determined what medication to begin with with me.Then he writes about times when surgery is actually the better procedure or may be used in conjunction with medication.He returns again to the cause of seizures and writes about how there are cases where there are certain triggers - that they may not merely be random. He suggests that there is some sort of initial trigger mechanism, whether the external or internal, though it is very difficult to determine what that is in most cases. He also writes about things that seem to have no effect and the misperceptions that people have about seizures and epilepsy.He even considers various herbal treatments and supplements and what the future might hold for seizure treatment.In the final section, he looks at issues of safety and particularly the issue of driving and whether or not someone who's had a seizure or multiple seizures can and should return driving.Continues by writing about how depression, migraines, and sleep disorders are in some way related to or connected to seizure disorder. As someone who has suffered all of these, this was another especially interesting insight.He concludes by writing about issues specifically related to women, and issues relating to prejudice and the need for education. There is also an appendix for sources of further information, which is organized by state.This book is an excellent introduction to seizures and I found it very useful in being able to understand what is happening and to be able to discuss the issues and treatment of my doctors intelligently. I recommend it.

The most up to date information for living life with epilepsy within your specific boundaries; great explanation of how epilepsy affects the brain, how activity, diet, and lifestyle can be affected in a positive way. I have a son with epilepsy and like to be as current with treatment as possible. This book is extremely helpful.