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3 Tips for Epileptics

 

Guidance at the beginning of my diagnosis with Catamenial Epilepsy was practically impossible to find. It was 2009 and the very name “Catamenial Epilepsy” had not yet graduated from medical theory to medical fact. If you typed “catamenial epilepsy” into Google 11 years ago you only received medical journal articles that barely referenced seizures influenced by hormones. My family and I could only find ONE article that actually used the name “Catamenial” when describing such a mysterious type of epilepsy. I’m putting it delicately when I say that the research process was abysmal in those days.

I wasn’t even seeking a cure for my condition, I simply wanted to know how to live with catamenial epilepsy. What do I do to work toward healing? How do I return to my normal, everyday routine in a way that doesn’t put my safety at risk? What shouldn’t I do that might cause my condition to worsen?

At 15 years old, I had a lot of faith in modern medicine and their ability to help me so these seemed like simple, even expected questions from where I stood in my state of confusion. There was a pattern with the many neurologists I visited and it was a tendency to downplay my condition. Maybe it was because of the fact that each doctor saw many people dealing with seizures so it was just the “norm” for them. But it wasn’t the norm for me, not even close. I went from fretting over whether or not I was going to be able to make it to my school’s football game on Friday night to how I could still be a normal teenager while living with a potentially harmful disease. The worst part is that is was this downplaying behavior from my doctors that prevented me from realizing how truly careful I needed to be in every area of my life.

Ignorance is not always bliss and doctors can’t always be trusted. Truthfully, they can never be trusted and everything they recommend needs to be thoroughly researched before you make a decision. My own research along with my personal experience with epilepsy has taught me so much more than any doctor ever has.

I can look back now over the decisions I made early on and the majority of them I would do differently if given the chance. That being said, I cannot say that I am not grateful for all that those poor decisions have taught me. I would not be who I am today without those mistakes therefore I cannot regret them.

However, I would regret not sharing a few pieces of advice that I hope will serve as guidance for those who are dealing with similar circumstances. I may be grateful for my own growth during my journey, but I also wish to prevent others from making the same mistakes. So, for the sake of sparing another from a few gruesome trial and error processes, here are the top three actions I wish I had taken at the start of my journey with Catamenial Epilepsy.

 

#1 Diet – Go Organic, eliminate processed foods completely, and pay closer attention to ingredient labels.

The food you put into your body has a monumental effect on every area, most especially your brain. Understanding the dangers of synthetic foods is imperative to improving your seizures because synthetic ingredients will prevent the human body from functioning correctly. These influential factors will also make correcting problems an impossible task. Ingredients like Xanthan Gum (a cheap emulsifier) and Carrageenan (thickening agent most commonly found in dairy products) are formulated in a lab with chemicals and who knows what else (most of the time we don’t want to know…yes, it is that gross!). The greatest problem aside from the synthetic nature of these ingredients is a little fact that the human body cannot digest them. The body does not know how to correctly process these synthetic components found in way too many of the foods available in every grocery store. The types of foods you most likely eat on a daily basis.

Feed your body natural foods (such as a strawberry or an egg) and it knows exactly how to digest each as well as which naturally occurring nutrients to store in order to maintain your good health. But, give it a sulfated polysaccharide (carrageenan) and the body has absolutely no idea what to do with it or where to send it because, in all honesty, it is not meant to be consumed. This causes problems in digestion and the body is forced to take guesses on what to do with these alien ingredients. Sounds concerning, doesn’t it? Well, that’s only the beginning! Here’s the really concerning part about these guesses: the body won’t absorb the alien ingredient because it does not recognize it nor will it excrete the synthetic substance just in case it might be necessary for the future. So what happens to this mystery food? Well, in all of this confusion the body decides to store it. By storing it, these synthetic ingredients (which are essentially toxins) begin to accumulate in various areas, usually in the cells or the bloodstream. One toxin might not create any issues for your total body health, but synthetic ingredients are found in pretty much all processed foods these days and daily consumption will result in quite the collection of toxins. You may not realize this in the moment you’re eating those potato chips or drinking that soda, but you are slowly creating an army of toxins with each bite and every sip that can easily wreak havoc on your body.

Making food from scratch is the only way you can truly guarantee you are eating toxin-free meals. I know home cooking is a lot of work, trust me, I KNOW. But, reducing my seizure activity makes it all worth it! Not to mention, the food tastes way better! When I was eating processed foods constantly I never noticed how fake and flavorless they were, sometimes certain products can even taste like plastic…hmmm, I wonder why that is? Maybe it is because these foods contain many of the same ingredients you find in plastic products. You wouldn’t willingly eat a plastic straw or a plastic water bottle, right? So why would you willingly eat plastic disguised as food?

The truth is, “home cooking” isn’t just a term to help market Southern-Style breakfast restaurants. It is a lifestyle choice that will have a positive impact on your entire household. Luckily, we’re living in an age of technology where things like recipe blogs are easily accessible and filled with lots of fantastic recipes to get you started on this new path. Plus, you have access to thousands of healthy recipes without it costing you a dime. The question here isn’t about IF you can do this. It’s all about WHEN. When are you going to make the necessary change for better health?

Personally, I kept up with my usual processed foods diet that I had before my diagnosis with epilepsy for at least two years post-diagnosis. I hate to think of the damage I was creating by continuing to accumulate synthetic toxins from my food AND my newly added anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Alone, each component has the ability to trigger seizures so I can only imagine what was happening to me with the two of them combined.

It took a crisis situation to wake me up enough to actually consider the idea that maybe, just maybe, my diet could be contributing to the overall state of my brain health. I was lying on the floor of a P.F. Chang’s Restaurant having a full-blown grand mal or tonic-clonic seizure. Hormonally, the time of the month did not make sense for such an occurrence. My parents were out of ideas as to why the seizure happened until my grandma suggested that maybe something in the food caused an issue. What was meant to be a simple and helpful theory actually turned out to be the revelation my parents needed in order to take that first step on the path toward long-term healing. Soy was the culprit that day and I have avoided it ever since.

 

#2 Bloodwork – Go deeper, explore the problem inside, and then work to correct deficiencies/abnormalities.

Some of you may be thinking, “Seriously?! More bloodwork? I just had every test known to man performed on me when I was in the hospital and received my diagnosis!” If someone told me to get more bloodwork done back when I was fifteen I probably would have disowned them. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not have taken the advice because I had just left a hospital and also because it takes effort to go to the lab. I was a teenager, I had much more important things to be doing with my time like texting or painting my nails.

However, when I say the words “bloodwork” I’m not talking about your average test. I’m talking about a bloodwork panel that will thoroughly analyze your primary vitamin and mineral levels. The test I have in mind is called the Organic Acids Test (OAT) and it will analyze all of these and more.

When I was first diagnosed, I trusted that my doctors had thoroughly reviewed every piece of information that could be pertinent to understanding the cause of my seizures. Nope. It turns out the doctors barely scratched the surface by doing the bare minimum. So, once again I was let down by my doctors and it was left up to me to figure out this epilepsy puzzle.

Just a little FYI for my fellow epileptics, this will happen often so I recommend keeping your expectations very low when it comes to modern medicine personnel if you wish to be satisfied with their advice.

That being said, let’s get back to the Organic Acids Test (OAT). I am such a big fan of doing this test because each human body is unique. Therefore, each is going to possess it own unique deficiencies. The sooner you find these deficiencies, the sooner you’ll be able to take yet another step on the path toward healing. And not just any healing, but healing that is customized to fit your specific needs. Once again, ignorance is not bliss where your health is concerned. Although modern medicine offers a wide variety of convincing medication for every epileptic, the reality is that a medicinal regimen needs to be tailored to the individual.

Bloodwork will help you understand how to create your own regimen. Personally, I discovered that I am deficient in the majority of my primary vitamin and mineral levels. Specifically, I found my concerning Vitamin D deficiency. If you didn’t know before, let me share that a deficiency in Vitamin D alone is enough to trigger seizures in some individuals. The healthy level should fall between 30 and 100. My level was 1 at the time of my first test. One! It might as well have said “Nada.” What good is a level of 1 Vitamin D going to do in my body? It’s barely holding on to its existence in my body, I really don’t think there will be any leftover Vitamin D to perform the duties it is supposed to according to nature.

I am happy to report that I have been able to correct this severe deficiency in a matter of months thanks to Seeking Health’s Vitamin D complex liquid drops. My levels are now at a healthy 67 and I continue to use Seeking Health’s supplement on a daily basis.

It is because of bloodwork that I also discovered my hormone deficiencies and my estrogen dominance. Obviously, there was some hormone imbalance present (hence my special diagnosis of Catamenial Epilepsy instead of simply Epilepsy), but I never understood just how seriously low my levels are. This insight has guided me throughout my entire journey with epilepsy and it has allowed me to take the necessary steps that will result in my healing. Knowledge is power when it comes to living with epilepsy. The more you know, the better equipped you will be able to handle the task at hand…Finding the source of your problem. Band-aids are for amateurs, you deserve answers! In my experience, this begins with blood work.

 

#3 Eliminate Hormones – Find and remove the common hormone-ridden products from your lifestyle.

This particular action is crucial for those with Catamenial Epilepsy because your seizures are hormone-related. Furthermore, there is a problem with your hormones; they are imbalanced and you will not find balance if you are constantly exposing your body to synthetic hormones.

Why is it so important to avoid synthetic hormones whether you have Catamenial Epilepsy or not??

Well, synthetic hormones are a bit like synthetic food ingredients (as I discussed above) they confuse the body. Your body is already hard at work making progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and so on. When you feed synthetic hormones to your body they disrupt this production by posing as the naturally produced hormones that are meant to be in your body. These imposter hormones cause your overall hormone levels to increase drastically.

So drastically, in fact, that your body reads the data and backs off on its natural production so as to maintain healthy levels and not create an abundance. This may not sound so bad, but in many cases, the body will stop production altogether because the hormones to maintain healthy levels are mysteriously being supplied from an outside source so why should they continue production?

The human body is logical in its decision-making process and, on paper, this may seem like the correct decision. However, synthetic hormones are not an adequate replacement for the real thing. Here’s a football analogy for all of my fellow fans out there: synthetic hormones are second-string to the starting hormones, our REAL hormones. They may appear to be good enough to handle keeping the body healthy, but they are nowhere close to the job performed by real hormones. Our natural hormones kick booty out there on the playing field by actively reading levels, making changes if necessary, and adapting to the body’s hormonal needs accurately and consistently. Can synthetic hormones do this? Not a chance! You get exactly the same hormone every single time because you are using a pre-made type of hormone. It doesn’t change or adapt to your body’s needs. When synthetic hormones begin functioning like the first-string hormones you are at risk for both an abundance or a deficiency. In short, synthetic hormones do nothing but present a lot of potential problems for your body.

Also, if you suddenly decide to stop feeding your body those synthetic hormones your body is not aware of your decision until a deficiency begins to form and it is needed to produce natural hormones again. The thing about hormone deficiencies is they can be a bit of a challenge to correct because we are constantly exposed to synthetic hormones on a daily basis. Our air, food, and cosmetics are all guilty of containing such elements.

So, although we can’t do much about avoiding synthetic hormones in our air there are other areas where we can begin to reduce and hopefully eliminate them altogether.

The first product containing boatloads of synthetic hormones is perfume. I had a hard time eliminating this product because I have so many favorite scents from various brands and, let’s be honest, it is really nice to smell nice! However, all perfumes are filled with synthetic ingredients (hormones are just one of the many). The liquid form as well as the application areas make it an easily absorbable product. Spraying the perfume on the skin gives it direct access to your bloodstream through the pores of your skin. Wearing perfume means exposing your body to a multitude of toxins that will only hurt your body and worsen your hormone imbalance. It is impossible to restore balance if you are actively contributing to the imbalance. Perfume smells good, but what is more important…Smelling nice temporarily or being healthy???

Organic essential oils are a fantastic replacement for perfumes and you can find them at a variety of stores. I highly recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for essential oils. Their products are both good quality and very affordable.

Other products to avoid are scented deodorants and pads or tampons. Once again, we have the scent issue, but when it comes to these easily absorbed products unscented is always the way to go. It can be so easy to overlook everyday products and not even realize just how toxic they are or how influential they can be upon your hormones. But sadly they both possess the ability to easily do so with consistent use. Sensitive Unscented Freedom deodorant is an excellent aluminum-free option if your current deodorant brand does not offer unscented. As for pads or tampons, you can find an unscented product from the majority of products available. If you would like to take the good health of your current pads to the next level, try organic feminine products. Rael is my favorite product because they are so silky smooth and their extensive selection is truly wonderful. Honest is another company with a good selection of organic products.

Makeup is another product to be wary of when it comes to hormones. Unfortunately, pretty much everything in makeup products is synthetic already, but you can make an extra effort to avoid scented products. Unfortunately, this is one product I have not been able to eliminate from my cosmetic regimen despite my strong desire to do so. Those baggies under my eyes won’t cover themselves and I’m still shell-shocked from that one time in high school when I decided not to wear makeup and a classmate asked me if I had a black eye. Yeah, that wasn’t a very fun experience so I do still use makeup, but I actively avoid all scented products. Liquid foundations are frequently guilty of adding a fragrance compound to their products so be wary of this and try to avoid it whenever possible. You may not be able to eliminate makeup completely but at least you can try to make the best of a not so great situation.

As far as food is concerned, there are a few products in particular that have a strong effect on your hormones and should be avoided in order to promote hormonal balance. The first is Rosehip. This herb is most commonly found in herbal teas or dessert type foods, anything with a synthetic rose flavor. It will increase estrogen production within your body, which is why it is known as an estrogen inhibitor. When you’re suffering from seizures caused by estrogen dominance, this is the last thing you want to feed your body.

Red Raspberry Leaf is similar to Rosehip. It is most commonly found in herbal tea form. I have learned the hard way that this herbal tea will greatly increase seizure activity and it will cause an increase in estrogen production. Basically, Red Raspberry Leaf will scramble your hormones even more so than they already are. Completely avoid both whenever possible.

Soy is another food to avoid. Look for codenames for soy in other products such as soy lecithin, soy protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), mono-diglyceride, glycine max, monosodium glutamate (MSG), etc. as well because you will want to avoid every ingredient sourced from soy.

Soybeans are an estrogen inhibitor and they encourage increased estrogen production when consumed. They may seem like a healthy thing to consume because they are a natural food product, but their effect on the human body is negative in more ways than one. Not to mention soy is a common seizure trigger for many epileptics, not just those with Catamenial Epilepsy.

Lastly, make sure to be extra careful with dairy products. For starters, always go organic no matter the extra cost because inorganic products are sourced from cows that have been injected with dozens of hormones. The poor cow is doing its job just fine, but the dairy big-wigs insist on thicker, thinner, sweeter, etc. products and they’re willing to practically poison the cow and therefore the consumer to get their way. It’s always about the bottom line, not the safety of the customer. Even organic dairy products have plenty of flaws that do nothing to help balance your hormones. Vitamins are constantly added even though they don’t belong because they are not naturally-occurring. But the organic companies are expected to compete with the big-wig inorganic companies so the consumer is often sacrificed for the bells and whistles. It’s really unfortunate, in general, but even more so when people aren’t aware that the amazing amount of “Vitamin D” in their product of choice is actually synthetic and will not benefit their bodies at all. Avoiding hormones in your average dairy products can be quite the challenge, which is why I recommend consuming raw dairy as often as possible. Raw means straight from the cow to you. When you go with raw products you can guarantee that your product is just as it is supposed to be…in its natural state and without additives. No synthetic vitamins, no preservatives, and definitely no hormones. Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made it impossible to sell these products in grocery stores, therefore you will need to purchase such products from an individual farm. The good news is there are many of these types of farms in existence. You will want to utilize the internet in order to find one that suits your needs.

Well, there you go, these are the three actions I wish I had taken when I was fifteen and newly diagnosed with epilepsy. I know that these changes may seem overwhelming because they will alter your lifestyle, but each will benefit you greatly.

Plus, epilepsy has most likely already flipped your life upside down so what’s a few more changes in the overall scheme of things? Especially when it is a positive change that will promote healing.

The choice is yours.

As always, please feel free to email me (katie@seizethedayblog.com) with any questions you have about the information I shared here on Seize the Day Blog.

 

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Epilepsy Insight #14: Personal Seizure Update w/ THC

 

 

I have been using the THC-free CBD product from Green Grove I first discussed in Epilepsy Insight #13 and I am so pleased with the result that I am providing a little progress report so that all of you may see firsthand the progress that I have been experiencing these past four weeks! That is, I have gone exactly one month without a grand mal/tonic-clonic seizure! It has been years since I experienced that kind of length between seizures so I just cannot be happier. I also know how difficult it can be to decide which treatment route is best so for those of you who may be considering the CBD treatment route, this progress report is an excellent example of just how beneficial it can be when done correctly (that is, THC-free).

I am no doctor so the choice is yours, I am simply sharing my personal experience with vaping. Once again, I am using the Green Grove Vape Pen in the Lite Citrus Breeze flavor. All flavor ingredients are sourced from real lemons, by the way, no synthetic ingredients. I actually called the Green Grove company and spoke to a representative about the exact ingredients used in the product. The pen is rechargeable so that you can save money and the refill cartridges are readily available through Green Grove, as well. You can learn more about my experience with the Green Grove product in the video below.

If you have any questions about the information here on Seize the Day Blog, please feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com. I’m always happy to help!

 

 

 

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Epilepsy Insight #12: Calendars & Journals

 

It has been my own personal experience that keeping track is key for any medical condition, particularly epilepsy. I place an extra emphasis upon epilepsy because this action will allow you to discover patterns in your seizure activity. It will also help to document those little details that are easy to forget over long periods of time but can be incredibly beneficial later on down the road (whether you realize it or not in the moment). It is because of my dad and his habit of keeping track of my seizure occurrences in relation to my periods each month that we were able to discover the monumental role hormones were playing in my condition. It prompted our extensive research on hormones in relation to seizures and helped us to discover the newly established condition called Catamenial Epilepsy. Nowadays, you can find plenty of info on this type of epilepsy, but back in 2009, the internet was scarce for even the tiniest mention of it! Only in scholarly journals or medical journals could you find a teeny tiny reference to hormone-related seizures.

I keep track of my seizures, diet, supplement & medication regimen, when new products are added to my daily regimen as well as when they are removed, and any noteworthy details that I think could be useful in the future. Sometimes when I’m recording details I think to myself, “I’m not exactly sure how this might be helpful, but I’m going to write it down anyway because you never know.” I cannot tell you how many times I have been so grateful to my self down the road that I did record what felt like menial details. These supposedly “menial” details are usually the most helpful in identifying exactly how my body was feeling at that specific time. Most importantly, this habit of writing everything down has helped me to reduce seizure activity on many occasions in the past and I am more confident than ever that it will continue to do this for me in the future.

When it comes to my own keeping track, I prefer the yearly planners that have block calendars in the front and note areas in the back where I can record extra details. A small notebook in addition to the block calendar is also helpful when recording daily meals & notes. This way you’ll have plenty of room for whatever information you choose to record.

Check out my video below for the full details on the subject as well as my article, Calendars & Journals, here on the blog.

 

 

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Epilepsy Insight #11: Three Tips for Epileptics

 

What if? Apart, these two words are harmless but put ‘em together and you may just find yourself confronted with a dangerous task…self-reflection.

Looking back on the past is often avoided by people (myself included) because it can be painful, both emotionally and psychologically. We are reminded of our mistakes and even more so of the fact that we can’t change any of it.

So often, I look back over my journey with epilepsy and I wonder, “Where would I be today if I had only done “this” differently or avoided “that” completely instead of diving in so willingly like I had in the past?” I get completely caught up in the “what if’s?” of life and do you know what this does for me??  Absolutely nothing. I do not benefit from focusing on what I should have done in the past nor what I need to be doing in the future. Here’s the thing about the past, what’s done is done. I cannot change past events, but I can reflect upon my mistakes and hopefully apply all that I have learned to the person I am right here, right now.

I read once that we as humans shouldn’t try to complete our knowledge about life, but instead, we should be lifetime learners so that every moment of life is an opportunity for growth.

In order to fully embrace those opportunities today, we must take our focus off of what we wish we had done but didn’t as well as what we wish we could be doing if only “this, that, and the other thing” would work out in our favor. Instead, we need to shift our focus to today. What is it that you should be doing right now?

We yearn to be successful in all that we do, yet too often we simultaneously get ahead of ourselves AND hold ourselves back because our focus is misplaced. At the end of the day, God already has a perfect plan for your life so there really isn’t a need to obsess about planning the perfect future. By letting go of you and embracing Him you can begin to shift your focus on how you can fulfill His will. Bend your plans to match His by looking for His guidance each day and following His direction as you receive it one step at a time. More importantly, one day at a time. Trust me when I say that it is impossible to try and bend God’s will to fit your plans. Obsessing over the past and the future only distract you from God’s guidance, making it difficult to know exactly which step is the right one.

The truth is, I find myself in the boat of distraction more often than I’d care to admit, but that’s the point! We all mess up, but God always takes us back. It is easy to lose focus on the present. Living with epilepsy has prompted me to wonder how different my life would be if only I had been able to change certain decisions in my past. I know from personal experience that the choice to wander through the maze of past mistakes only leads me further away from Him. Luckily, God always rescues me by providing me with His map of guidance. He has taught me a lot about how to live with epilepsy. The temptation to ponder the notion of “what if?” will always be there, but thanks to God I feel better equipped to handle such a question…

The reality is, I am exactly where I am supposed to be according to God’s will so there is no need to wonder about the past. Okay, confession time…My greatest wish in my past is that there was more information on the subject of Catamenial Epilepsy when I desperately needed to know how to live with such a condition when I was first diagnosed.

Epilepsy Insight #11 is inspired by this wish. I may not be able to change my past, but I’m hoping I can change someone else’s present (and eventually future) by sharing 3 simple tips I have learned while living with Catamenial Epilepsy for the past 11 years. Watch the video below to learn more!

If you have any questions or comments regarding the information I shared, please feel free to contact me via email (katie@seizethedayblog.com) or Instagram (@seizethedayblog). Thank you!

 

 

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

Epilepsy Insight #10: Make Your Own Lotion

 

It’s lotion, you NEED this product! Dry skin is not exactly a good look for anyone nor is it preferred! Especially if you’re like me and you live in the desert region of Southern California! Seriously though, processed lotion is one of those products where I am always disappointed whether it’s organic or non-organic.

The ingredient labels for both types of lotion are atrocious! If you choose non-organic, you’re getting tons of chemicals and other synthetic ingredients, but if you try organic you’ll get soy-based tocopherols in your lotion. Trust me when I say that most organic lotion products contain either “Tocopherols” or “Vitamin E” which are commonly derived from soy in organic products. It is incredibly difficult to find a lotion product that consists of clean ingredients only in today’s market. I have searched high, low, and everywhere in between trying to find one! Unless I want to make it myself…

If I’m being completely honest, the idea of making my own lotion was super intimidating at first! I automatically assumed it would be an impossible task to do all by myself. I mean, massive companies are usually the masters of producing these types of products! However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it is perhaps one of the easiest recipes I have ever encountered! And I LOVE the way this lotion smells!!! It only consists of almond oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and vanilla essential oil. Yep, that’s it! You can make it at home without the need for any special tools or equipment. Say goodbye to the days of being disappointed with your processed lotion product and take matters into your own hands! You do not have to expose your body to the toxins in many lotions and if you’re epileptic, like me, you can also reduce your exposure to seizure triggers. Watch Epilepsy Insight #10 below to hear my thoughts on this subject and to receive a few tips for cleaning up your daily regimen.

The lotion recipe I discuss in my video below is adapted from Wellness Mama’s Luxurious Lotion Recipe.

Click here to read my full article on this lotion recipe.

 

Sources:

https://wellnessmama.com/3765/homemade-lotion-recipe/

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

 

Homemade Lotion Recipe

When it comes to ingredient labels you want to know as much as possible about each and every ingredient listed in “said” product label so that you can fully comprehend what it is you’re about to eat or slather onto your body. You know what they say about not judging a book by its cover?? Forget it all! 

When it comes to products in the cosmetic arena, the ingredient label is the symbolic cover of your book. Reading the label is going to give you insight, but researching ingredients individually will expose the truth about the quality of any product. This list of ingredients will determine whether or not you want anything to do with a certain product. It could be a food, cosmetic, toiletry, the list goes on and on…and so should your knowledge about the quality of any product you’re about to put in or on your body if you truly want to maintain your good health. 

Personally, I found a very unfortunate pattern begin to develop every time I read a processed product’s label…it was the pattern of disappointment. 

Without fail, I would be extremely disappointed with the poor quality of whichever product was in my hands at the moment. Lotion still remains the one product I was absolutely unsuccessful at finding. I did the “organic products only” for a while, hoping that this would be the solution I was seeking, but I’m sorry to say that things got even worse for me and my seizures. 

I was faced with a huge increase in seizure activity and it is because of the ingredients used in a large majority of the organic lotion products available on today’s market. It turns out that organic companies often use soy as the vegetable source for the Vitamin E or Tocopherol ingredients listed in their product. Soy isn’t used every single time, but your odds of soy being a derivative for an ingredient grow substantially when it comes to organic companies.

First, let’s clarify something about soy…it is NOT healthy for the human body. Contrary to popular belief, soy and soy-related ingredients such as soy lecithin will actually wreak havoc on the human body, especially where hormones are concerned. 

Second, soy is a common seizure trigger for most epileptics, myself included. So when I began using a lotion product that said it only contained Vitamin E or Tocopherol, I was too naive at the time to realize that you have to further research certain ingredients in a label to know for certain that it is actually safe for someone with seizures. In this case, I needed to contact the company to double-check exactly what their source was for the “Tocopherol” listed on their product’s ingredient label. 

While I originally assumed I would have fewer seizures once I began using the organic products, I was sorely disappointed with my actual result of increased seizure activity. I now avoid organic lotion products like the plague because their ingredients just cannot be trusted. I returned to using a generic lotion brand who’s ingredient label was absolutely atrocious, but shockingly did not trigger any extra seizures. I had to pick and choose my battles at this point…do I use an organic product that, on paper, should be healthier for me, but causing my seizure activity to increase or do I use a generic product that contains very poor quality ingredients, but does not cause an increase in my seizures after application?

It is quite a dilemma, but ultimately it is always going to be a Catch 22 type of situation no matter which product I choose. I may win when I do not have any seizures triggered by a product, but I’m losing in the long run when I expose my body to toxic ingredients.

I live in a desert region of Southern California so lotion is definitely a necessity around my house. The thing is, I just couldn’t justify applying carcinogenic ingredients onto the surface of my skin on a daily basis. Nor could I find a product with a clean ingredient label…

So what’s a girl to do??? How do I make this situation a win-win scenario?

I tried doing alternative moisturizers such as coconut oil, but it was just way too greasy for me. I like the healthier aspect, but the coconut oil was inconvenient in the mornings when I would apply it, then basically have to towel most of it off my skin because I wouldn’t be able to get dressed without getting grease all over my clothes. 

Finally, I found a lotion recipe from Wellness Mama and it is fabulous!

The recipe below is completely adapted from her recipe, I simply doubled the ingredients and added vanilla essential oil for the scent. Feel free to adjust the recipe to fit your preferences, swap out the vanilla essence with any other flavor(s). 

Here’s the thing about this lotion: it is nourishing, it absorbs quickly, and it smells great!  

Unlike the straight coconut oil, my skin actually absorbs this lotion and it leaves a sweet smell that lasts all day long. Instead of a greasy texture that only makes me long for a dry washcloth to wipe away the excess coconut oil, I am left with smooth skin. If you’re like me and you prefer soft, nourished skin you might want to give this recipe a try.

The lotion can be stored at room temperature for up to 6 months. I prefer to store mine in a mason jar. Avoid a pump whenever possible, this lotion is best when scooped out of the jar with a spoon due to its thickness. 

This recipe usually lasts me about 2 months. A little goes a long way! It is very nourishing (I know I keep saying that, but it is!) so you only need a tiny bit to satisfy your dry skin! As was mentioned on Wellness Mama, “This lotion works great for diaper rash on a baby, eczema, and for preventing stretch marks.” 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! It is a must-have in my house AND it’s healthy! I can also confirm that it has never caused any increased seizure activity. I always count this as a huge win!

 

 

Sources:

Wellness Mama: https://wellnessmama.com/3765/homemade-lotion-recipe/

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Epilepsy Insight #8: Blood Brain Barrier

 

What is the Blood Brain Barrier? More importantly, how does this “barrier” relate to directly to your seizure activity?

For starters, the Blood Brain Barrier is a tight-knit wall of Endtholelial Cells separating your brain from your bloodstream. The purpose of this separation is to prevent unwanted molecules floating in your bloodstream from crossing over into your brain.

If unwanted molecules or toxins are able to cross this barrier, it could mean damage to your brain as well as increased seizure activity.

Our greatest concern is the fact that the Blood Brain Barrier can become weakened, this is also called Blood Brain Barrier Degradation or Leaky Blood Brain Barrier. When your barrier becomes weakened, it is unable to prevent all unwanted molecules from reaching your brain. The result of which is an increase in bodily sensitivity. You will find that you are much more sensitive to foods, products, etc. because your brain is no longer protected from the unwanted molecules found in these locations and many more. In addition, your brain will only become more sensitive when it is continually exposed to these toxins on a daily basis.

The good news is there are holistic methods to build your Blood Brain Barrier back up to its original strength. The holisitic path involves vitamins and minerals, Vitamin D and Vitamin B are each incredibly important for a strong Blood Brain Barrier. However, you must do your part in changing your routine to help protect your brain from toxin exposure. Reduce your intake of processed foods filled with chemical ingredients, go organic so that you can eliminate your exposure to pesticides, and pay more attention to the ingredient list on each of your cosmetic and toiletry products. This simply step will make a huge difference because you will be eliminating a primary source for unwanted molecules/toxins.

In Epilepsy Insight #9, I discuss how the Blood Brain Barrier has affected my own seizure activity and I explain in greater detail the influence this barrier has on long-term brain health.

Epilepsy Insight #8: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) & Soy

Monosodium Glutamate, known better by its notorious acronym, “MSG,” and Soy are two of my primary seizure triggers. Each is found in a large variety of products including food, cosmetics, toiletries, etc. The list truly does goes on and on…each ingredient is cheap to use and companies love the fact that it increases their bottom line.

Recently, people have become more aware of exactly how bad MSG and Soy are for the human body so many companies have tried to side-step the issue of decreased sales due to their inclusion of poor quality ingredients by using code-names instead. So, these companies are still using the same poor quality ingredients, they’ve simply become adept at disguising “said” ingredients with hard to pronounce and unrecognizable ingredients names.

Entire lists of codenames exist for MSG and Soy. By using codenames, companies can continue to use these ingredients without the general public realizing it. Some codenames for MSG include Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor, Carrageenan, Dextrose, and Malted Barley.

To read the full list of codenames for MSG visit:

Over 34 Hidden Names for MSG

Codenames for Soy include Tocopherol or Vitamin E, Soy Lecithin, Soy Protein, Soybean Oil, and Mono or Diglycerides.

To read the full list of codenames for Soy visit:

Click to access Soy-Allergy-Avoidance-List-Hidden-Names.pdf

It is actually quite sneaky because who would have guessed that Vitamin E can be sourced from soy? It’s crazy! In Epilepsy Insight #8, I go into greater detail about MSG and Soy as seizure triggers. I also share a few tips on how to avoid these ingredients in your everyday life.

***Side Note: It is also important to pay special attention to a brand’s wording in relation to whether or not they include either of these ingredients in their food. Take the very popular chain restaurant Panda Express, for example. On the glass display where you choose your dishes you will see a notice informing the customer that there is “No MSG Added.” At first glance, one might think Panda Express’ food does not contain any MSG. Reading the ingredient labels for each individual dish offered by Panda Express will quickly inform the consumer that MSG does indeed exist in their food, however, once it’s put behind the pretty glass case no more MSG is added. So, be careful to investigate every ingredient label whether it is involving something edible or not because you will uncover the true nature of the product regardless of what is advertised.

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

Epilepsy Insight #7: My Story

 

On March 25, 2009, I had my very first grand mal or tonic-clonic seizure around 8:00 PM at a friend’s house of all places. At 15 years old, the diagnosis of a serious disease like epilepsy completely flipped my world upside down. My family and I began by seeking a solution through modern medicine. When multiple attempts ended in failure we decided to give the holistic route a try instead.

Although I am still living with grand mal/tonic-clonic and partial seizures, I have made progress down the path toward healing thanks to holistic medicine. My story isn’t super exciting, but a life with epilepsy has taught me a variety of lessons. Lessons that I share for the sole purpose of helping others struggling with similar issues.

This blog, the linked Instagram account, and the Epilepsy Insight videos have allowed me to share with the world some tips and tricks I have learned through a trial and error process. I figured, 11 years of making mistakes and then learning how to correct those same mistakes should be helpful for at least one other epileptic. At the very least, I hoped the information shared here on the blog and in the Epilepsy Insight videos would be able to prevent other epileptics from making the same mistakes I made in the past.

Here I am now at 26 years old (almost 27, but shhh…don’t let that get out ;-)) and I only wish to help others struggling even if it is only providing support for others during their own challenging circumstances. The most important lesson I have learned after 11 years with epilepsy is this:

Yes, you will face challenges, but what may seem like a burden is actually a blessing because every success and failure you experience is actually molding and shaping you into exactly who you are meant to be. Embrace the struggle because a wise boy named Christopher Robin once said, “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

So, to hear more about my story watch Epilepsy Insight #7 (video below) and read my “About” section here on Seize the Day Blog.

 

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Epilepsy Insight #6: Water

 

The subject of water…at first glance, it seems like the most simple subject ever. However, if you delve a little deeper you will actually find a subject that has a lot of relevance in seizure prevention.

For starters, water is an excellent tool for gentle detoxification of your entire body. Unfortunately, our bodies come into contact with a variety of toxins on a daily basis. Whether it’s from food, environment, or cosmetics (just to name a few), we bombard our bodies with toxins that have the potential to do long-term damage. Personally, I have tried a few different tactics to rid my body of toxins, however, every attempt always ends in more seizures. Toxins can trigger seizures upon their entry and their exit if the detox method is removing too many toxins too quickly. When using green juices, fruit-infused water, or supplements for detoxification purposes, this can happen.

Don’t get me wrong, we want to remove these toxins, but achieving this feat would be best without increased seizure activity. Honestly, who wants more seizures??? Not this girl! Which is why water is my go-to tactic for this particular style of detoxification. Yes, it is going to take longer to rid large amounts of toxins from your system, but it will happen. Gentle detoxification is ideal when your body is already sustaining traumatic repercussions from each of your seizures.

In addition, replenishing your body with an increased intake of water for detoxification purposes also prevents dehydration.

Under extreme circumstances, dehydration alone is enough to cause the human body to have a seizure. Your brain needs A LOT of water every day in order to function properly. This is especially important for athletes and people who are often physically active whether this activity takes place indoors or outdoors.

Another helpful water tip people may not be aware of is the fact that there are certain types of water you want to avoid because they can act as seizure triggers. The ever-popular “Smart Water” product is one you want to avoid because it is infused with electrolytes. For someone prone to epileptic seizures, these electrolytes will accelerate your brain activity in the worst way possible that has the potential to result in a seizure when consumed.

Carbonated water, such as “Perrier” or sparkling water products, should also be avoided because they will act just like electrolyte infused water by accelerating brain activity. The result of this will be the triggering of more seizures. If you are given the options, Still or Sparkling, always choose “Still” if you wish to avoid increased seizure activity.

Watch the video below for more details on the subject of water in relation to epilepsy:

 

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text, and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.