*~What works for one, may not for another. Thus, what does not work for one, may for another!~* Best Wishes!
1. Native Remedies Epi-Still! Starting only a few months after my first seizure, for about 6 years I took Native Remedies Epi-Still, a natural liquid blend/tincture. Thus, I do not have a truebefore & after comparison of its efficacy. As I tried My Below Past Trials 2 to 8, I did not stop taking Epi-Still. Due to positive results from magnesium, breathing exercises, lemon balm, & ashwagandha in 2020, I lowered my dosage to 0.25 ml and then discontinued. I did not want to take many remedies at a time. I doubt Epi-Still would be strong enough for many! It is simply a blend of pulse calming herbs. It may help those with stress/exhaustion/anxiety-triggered seizures. This could be why Epi-Still helped my daytime seizure occurrence in the past! It did not help my sleep seizures. Today, I know that my monthly sleep seizures while taking Epi-Still, were most likely due to hormonal triggers (catamenial epilepsy). Many of the natural ingredients found in Epi-Still can be taken in capsule form and then one can even take a larger dose!
By use of its dropper, 3x/day I took 0.50 mL under my tongue (to avoid the digestive system & to directly reach the bloodstream). Some mix the liquid with water and drink.
The original mixture was renamed "Epi-Still-S". When the second version "Epi-Still-M" was released, I experimented with my dosage by taking them separately, taking both at the same time, & mixing both 50/50 in one bottle. For me, there were no differences.
Epi-Still S Ingredients: Passion Flower, American Skullcap, Fresh Wild Oat Seed, & Ashwagandha Root
2. Black Seed Oil/Nigella Sativa! I read a study about black seed oil lessening seizures with zero side effects. My year of taking 1 tsp 3x/daily neither worsened nor lowered my seizure quantity/severity. It has helped others. Step 1: One Tsp Day & Night for 2-3 Weeks. Step 2: Continue with One Tsp 3x daily/~every 8 hours OR a single daily dosage of 1 tablespoon morning or night. Some may dislike the flavor.
3. CBD Oil! In 2018, I tried CBD Oil. Trial 1 I began with the "recommended 15 mg starter dosage" and it gave me more seizures!! Thus, I took a break for a few months. Trial 2 I took a 2 mg morning dosage; two weeks later I added a second 2 mg evening dosage (CBD Dosage of ~2mg twice daily/every 12 hours/morning & night). I proceeded with great caution this time and the smaller dosage neither worsened nor lowered my seizure quantity/severity. TIP: PLEASE start with a low dosage because even the common 15 mg starter dosage may be too large for some. CBD Oil is known to need months to take effect in some. 4. Melatonin! I tried taking one 3 mg melatonin capsule about 30 minutes before bedtime. It neither worsened nor lowered my seizure quantity/severity. It has helped others.
5. Mozart! Listening to Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K.448" before bed helped me to get a better sleep, but it did not change my seizure quantity/severity. It has helped others.
6. Magnesium! I have met several epilepsy fighters that were prescribed magnesium to reduce seizures; it worked for them. For some, a magnesium deficiency can trigger seizures. April 2019 I began my magnesium journey...
Trial 1 of Natural Vitality's Calm (Magnesium Citrate) (1 Serving Scoop of 4g = 325mg Mag Citrate): I drank 1/2 a scoop of Natural Vitality's Calm mixed with water at the same time every night. To prevent indigestion, I waited until the drink stopped "bubbling". This 162.5mg Magnesium Citrate dosage gave me 103 100% seizure free days from April to July 2019; my longest time in FOUR years!! During this time my Smart Watch showed me that my overnight/resting heartbeat lowered from ~77 bpm to 70-72! The only negative was the continued occurrence of my short deja vu episodes every now and then. BUT starting around Day 85, I noticed shorter deja vu episodes. So, Why did I have a seizure? My guess is that after 103 days my brain just became immune to magnesium citrate or my brain just did whatever it wanted (an unfortunate side effect of epilepsy)! Taking a 6 week magnesium break did not give my body the same great first impression.
Trial 1 ofLife Extension Neuro-Mag (Magnesium L-Threonate) (3 pills = 2g Mag L-Threonate & 144mg "elemental magnesium"): After about a month of taking one pill nightly, my deja vu episodes drastically decreased in occurrence and shortened. I had none the second month! It was not gone for good, but it lessened episodes. Magnesium L-Threonate is the form of magnesium that is capable of "crossing the blood-brain barrier". I have read great reviews from other epilepsy fighters! Note: There are many other good brands of Magnesium L-Threonate. I am not promoting this brand. I have used many others as well.
7. Ginger! I read a story about a person who stopped their seizures by taking 2g of ginger daily for a year. I researched more and found that ginger has indeed helped others. Month 1: I took a 550 mg ginger capsule with my breakfast. Month 2: I added a 550 mg ginger capsule to my lunch. Due to my positive results with magnesium at the time, I stopped. The following year I tried again. I took two 550 mg ginger root capsules with my breakfast and my dinner, which gave me a 2.2g daily dosage. At times, I opened the capsules to use in the form of tea. Ginger did not change my seizure quantity/severity.
8. Valerian Root! Valerian is an ancient epilepsy and sleep herbal medicine. I took one 450 mg capsule of Valerian Root at bedtime. Besides drowsiness, Valerian Root did not change my seizure quantity/severity. It is a natural melatonin alternative. 9. MCT Oil!KetoForEpilepsyModified Atkins Diet C8vsC10vsC12 Starting Oct. 28, 2020, I began experimenting with my "fat intake". I read articles about the effects of ketosis, caprylic acid-C8, capric acid-C10, and lauric acid-C12 on the brain. I tried the less strict Keto Diet also known as the "Modified Atkins Diet/MAD" and I lasted only ~10 days lol! Then I began taking 2 tbsp of Coconut Oil daily, but then substituted it with MCT oil and began a MCT Supplementation. I experimented with several dosages with meals, but due to diarrhea I discontinued. January 2021 I slowly decreased MCT dosages & I decided to focus on Breathing Exercises & Cortices Tapping. 10. Cortices Tapping of The Body Talk System Cortices Tapping of the "Body Talk System"every3 to 5 days anytime of day gave me 180 Days (Jan-July 2021) sleep seizure free ☺! WOW! I was neither using progesterone cream nor doing acupressure/acupuncture. During this time, I only had 1 daytime seizure after deja vu while stretching. Looking back, I know that I should have Alternate Nostril Breathed and Cortices Tapped while stretching. Plus, taking Magnesium L-Threonate to limit my deja vu could have helped. Cortices Tapping relaxes my nervous system; it improves my HRV! My head always feels 10lb lighter afterwards! During Tapping, many acupoints are stimulated! Cortices Tapping was my door to more acupressure! I love it! PPT Explanation & How ToPdf Reference
11. Sleeping Upright!Dr. Artour Prevents Sleep SeizeHow ToWhy For about a month, Aug-Sept 2021, I decided to attempt Sleeping Upright Everyday with my Back Slightly Slanted. Woah it was a little difficult, and I still had a seizure. It was suppose to better my breathing. However, since my hormonal trigger discoveries, I know that my breathing patterns are not the main cause of my nocturnal seizures. My oximeter ring has proven great oxygen levels all night when I sleep on my side. But of course, poor breathing can cause or worsen anyone's seizures.
12. GARD Diet!G.A.R.D.Glutamate FoodsEpilepsy & GARDFoods to/not Eat 08/19 to 09/18/2021: Due to my long term cow's milk intolerance, I finally tried to eliminate dairy! Many love the GARD Diet (No Gluten/Soy/Dairy/Corn). So, I lessened my Gluten/Soy/Corn intake and attempted to eliminate cow's milk. I was 90% Cow's Milk Free. YEP! Less dairy and gluten was better for my tummy!...Until I gave in ☺ and wanted more. My hormonal triggered sleep seize still occurred. The GARD Diet has helped many others with seizure quantity/severity.
13. Mouth Taping!Info Vid 1 & Info Vid 2 Sept 2021, to my surprise, while researching "nocturnal seizures", I came across people taping their mouth shut during sleep! Even some doctor recommendations for snoring and as an anti-cavity! It is said to prevent unhealthy mouth breathing during sleep; it forces one to nasal breathe. Of course do not do it if one's nose is congested. Apparently during the REM cycle of sleep (the most popular time for sleep seizures), the nerves naturally get more active and the jaw naturally relaxes (causing mouth breathing).
With ~90% of my seizures during sleep and my daytime episodes only due to exhaustion/anxiety/stress, I definitely know that my healthy breathing is one of the keys to my seizure control. I wore my oximeter ring & I tried mouth taping in the daytime. Oxygen levels stayed steadily high, a calm pulse, and I felt great, similar to after meditation resonant exercises.
My Mouth Taping Resonant Nightly Calm Trial (Start 09/28/2021 to 10/08/2021)
An HRV Score Test & then I vertically taped my mouth shut with small, clear desk tape.
I started with 10min of Resonant Breathing (inhaling frankincense oil and/or lavender oil).
Then, I continued my hour sitting comfortably in a Chair or in Bed with some form of Back Support.
Another HRV Score...WOW Great & I felt refreshed, even the next day.
My oximeter sleep report showed a beautiful 50s-60s bpm pulse (usually 60s-70s). I was amazed that my calmer pulse continued throughout the daytime. Despite my calm pulse and great HRV score, I had a sleep seizure most likely due to hormones (catamenial epilepsy). It definitely appears that a calm pulse cannot prevent my brain's hyper reaction to hormones, but 2023's acupuncture sure can!
14. Acupressure 90 Day Trial! Inspired by an effective 3 month acupuncture therapy study! Acupuncture has stronger effects than acupressure; one needs more than one acupressure session to equal the effects of one acupuncture session. More Notes on My Journal Page.(11/11/2021 to 02/08/2022)
The 3 Month Acupuncture Therapy Study consisted of patients taking sodium valproate and having 30min acupuncture sessions for 10 consecutive days followed by a 2 day break, & then repeated.
The 30min needle technique of acupuncture is indeed stronger, but I wanted to try acupressure. I did not take sodium valproate. I began all sessions with 5-10 cycles of Alternate Nostril Breathing. I did acupressure twice daily, breakfast & bedtime, ending with meditation. I did not apply pressure to all acupoints used in this study. Instead, I chose acupoints that were easy to find & felt calming for me. From the study, I chose LI4, LV3, & DU26! Throughout My 90 Days, I added more acupoints as I learned more.
I began My 90 Days with twice daily Thumb/LU11 Acupressure (20sec Taps & 1min SideHold) & LI4 (2min applied pressure). On 01/10/22, after 60 Days & a small seize, I added Ear Shen Men (Medical Article). I applied 2min pressure to the Shen Men acupoint of each ear. Great Parasympathetic Activation for me! On 01/19, I included "The 4 Gates" to my bedtime sessions, said to Influence the Circulation of Qi & Blood, Left Foot LV3 4min, Left Hand LI4 2min, then same for Right Side. On 01/23/22, I added DU26 2min to my bedtime sessions because it is said to refresh the brain, popular for seizure acupuncture treatment & resuscitation. First time of DU26, I felt a light flow of air through my body.
90 Day Acupressure Conclusion: To better understand my body's reaction to only acupressure, at the beginning I decreased my Progesterone Dose to 44mg. Since Month 1, I witnessed A+ sleep improvement. I awake well rested and wide awake! I had only 1 minor sleep seizure on 01/10/2022, no pain, & my oximeter ring data proved a "calmer" seize with less O2 drops. This seizure influenced me to restart Cortices Tapping (Head & Chest Acupressure) on the weekends (great past results & acupoints are also activated). I certainly will continue DIY Acupressure!!!
15. Progesterone Cream Trials to Battle Catamenial Epilepsy! (Trial 1: October 8, 2021 to March 2022 and Trial 2: May 2022 to Sept 2022) Catamenial Epilepsy is when "seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle". It is fairly common. During the menstrual cycle, progesterone levels drop 1-3 days before one's period (luteal phase) & estrogen levels drop during ovulation (around days 12-15 or 2 weeks after one's period). These sudden drops can have a negative effect on the nervous system, such as mood swings or tremors/seizures. In order to help prevent these effects, some take progesterone orally or topically. I have read several success stories of ladies using progesterone cream to prevent seizures!
What? I used Source Naturals Progesterone Cream, but there are many other brands. Yes it has a low mg dosage, but I was also trying acupressure. Furthermore, there is a medical study stating that 80mg of daily micronized progesterone cream produces similar progesterone levels in the body as a daily oral dose of 200mg.
4oz Source Naturals Progesterone Cream: 88mg of progesterone per tsp
When? I came across 3 Frequency Application Choices. Choice 1: Daily |Choice 2: Everyday but Sunday "to keep the receptors hungry" |Choice 3: "Cycling" by only applying on Hormonal Trigger Days such as During Ovulation, Right Before One's Period, Days 14-28 of the menstrual cycle, or another personal cycle. Signs of Ovulation
I began by trying Choice 3 because I do not have daily seizures. I discovered the pattern of my sleep seizures. They have occurred during ovulation and during the luteal phase!! I'm thankful for my menstrual calendar app.
Nov 2021 Update: Due to great acupressure results, I experimented with acupressure and progesterone. Thus 1-2 hours before bedtime, I changed to only applying ~1/2 tsp (44-50mg) cream dose on the night of Day 13, during ovulation, to my feet. Before my acupressure trial, I tried 88mg 2-3 nights in a row & it caused drowsiness for me.
Where? Progesterone cream must be applied to clean skin: freshly washed/cleaned and non-oily. It supposedly must be applied to at least 6-8 inches of a "thin skin" area where there is a lot of veins (inner skin and areas where one is least likely to transfer it to someone else such as inner thigh, inner arm, under breast, feet top, behind knees, and neck back). Still, some apply anywhere. More importantly, if applied often/daily, each dose must be applied to a different place!! Receptors can get "overworked". Rub in for 2 minutes to promote absorption. Natural progesterone is said to have a 12 hour 'life' and needs to be applied morning & evening for a 24hr dose. Wash Hands Afterwards. Do Not Expose Cream to Sunlight.
How Much? It is a realm of trial & error. Everyone is different! For seizure relief, articles say ladies need a minimum daily dosage of 100-200mg progesterone in oral form. I have read success stories (oral form) of 100mg twice daily, 250mg twice daily, 400mg twice daily, and 600mg twice daily. Some medical studies have women taking it during days 14-28 of the menstrual cycle (lozenge/pill form, some studies include an antiepileptic drug & others do not). There is a medical study stating that 80mg of daily micronized progesterone cream produces similar progesterone levels in the body as a daily oral dose of 200mg.
Conclusion: I'm 100% sure of the positive effect of progesterone for me. Still, from Nov 2021 to March 2022, I did have 2 sleep seizures and a few signs of tremors with no painful side effects. Overall, episodes certainly continued to be less severe than the start of my diagnosis. Trial 2: May 25 to Sept 26, 2022 - Due to not daily doing acupressure, I do think that progesterone cream played a part in calming my seizures/less severe.
WARNINGPrecautions: Some may have a tremor/seizure at the beginning of the "progesterone trial". The starter mg dose may cause a "shock" to the nervous system. May be a tremor or seizure. I have read that this has happened to many, and then none afterwards. May Cause Drowsiness. May Cause Spotting/Irregular Bleeding.
Trial 2: 05/25/2022 to 09/27/2022: I chose "Choice 3" for application. During Ovulation until the Luteal Phase, I applied ~1/2 tsp (44-50mg) of the cream (spread across my feet/legs) at bedtime (30min - 1 hour before sleeping). During May 2022 I had a seizure, but it was minor. If it weren't for wearing my oximeter ring, then I would not be aware of it (zero side effects). This is certainly proof of progesterone's calming effects for me. I stopped to Try Acupuncture.
16. Mushrooms! My Journal Page Mushrooms have helped many! It has helped some with their seizures, memory, depression, anxiety, immune system, and more! Sept 16, 2022, I decided to start taking 500mg Reishi Mushroom capsules alongside 500mg Lion's Mane Mushroom capsules. I was curious to see how it would affect my body, specifically my mood, my memory, and my seizure frequency and severity! Most studies show good results from dosages of 3g or more of each mushroom! To be safe, I began with 500mg of each. Due to 10 days of no side effects, I increased to 1g. On Day 21, Oct 6, I increased to 1.5g of each. Some say they begin to see changes after 1 to 2 months of a minimum 1g daily dosage. On Nov 1, 2022, I decided to be a better scientist by solely taking Lion's Mane. I needed to learn the effects of each mushroom. On Day 53, Nov 27, I increased to 2g. By Nov 29, there was no change in my mood and no improvement in memory. No sleep seizures, but I think that was from my continuous acupressure routine. However, I have had daytime seizures since starting. I do not know if it's because of the Lion's Mane Mushroom, because all seizures were triggered by serious anxiety events. Still, the Lion's Mane did not help?! I discontinued Mushrooms and have continued with Acupressure & Acupuncture.
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