Epilepsy Meds INCREASE Deadly Disease Risk?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 17, 2021
Folks with epilepsy have it hard enough already.
Not only do you have to worry about the chance of a seizure, but you also struggle with the psychological toll of the disease… which can be substantial.
And then there are the social consequences – not being able to drive, having trouble finding a job – as well as cognitive changes that occur with severe seizures.
It would be nice if the mainstream treatments didn’t cause them additional problems… but unfortunately this type does.
Researchers have discovered that epilepsy medication can increase your risk of this serious disease by 21 percent.
A new study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found that people taking antiseizure medications were 21 percent more likely to develop heart disease.
The drugs in question are called enzyme-inducing anti-seizure medications. These include:
- carbamazepine (Tegretol),
- eslicarbazepine (Aptiom),
- oxcarbazepine (Trileptal),
- phenytoin (Dilantin),
- primidone (Mysoline),
- rufinamide (Banzel),
- and topiramate (Topamax).
The drugs don’t seem to cause problems in the first few years of use, but those people taking them for more than 8 to 10 years had an elevated risk.
AND, it got much worse for people who took more than one prescription (which is very common).
The researchers made it clear that for some folks the risk is smaller, depending on the dose.
But if you want to know your options, there are some natural therapies you can do to help.
- Cannabis. Both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been shown to be helpful in people with seizures. CBD, in particular, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of epilepsy in children. CBD is legal in most states, but THC is still illegal in many. You can find out about your state in particular here.
- Reduce main triggers. The usual suspects such as lack of sleep, stress, and anxiety are all easy to tell someone to reduce, but it can be hard to put into use practically. I always tell people to focus on getting good sleep and the rest should (mostly) fall into place.
- Be mindful of other triggers. Alcohol and drugs are common triggers for epileptic seizures. So is overstimulation from sensory overload, which can be caused by flashing lights, noises, television, and other electronics. Reduce as many of these as you can.
- Ketogenic diet. This diet severely limits carbohydrates, which has shown to be helpful for many people. It’s at least worth a month-long trial for anyone with epilepsy.
- Vitamins. The most important vitamins are the B vitamins (I specifically suggest a B complex), magnesium, and vitamin D.
Make sure you talk with your doctor before stopping any prescription seizure medication. Stopping any medication suddenly can cause side effects, including seizures.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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