No caffeine or chocolate? Say it isn't so! :(

CHOCOLATE AND CAFFEINE

I've been doing some reading online this morning to see what some food triggers may be for epileptic seizures.  Unfortunately, caffeine was at the top of the list.  I'm horrible when it comes to this department, as I usually have 3-4 cups of caffeinated coffee every morning and several sodas throughout the day, along with my all time favorite, sweet tea. 

Although some people with epilepsy can tolerate caffeinated food and drinks without any increase in seizure activity, caffeine is known to be a potential seizure trigger for some individuals. In addition to potentially provoking seizures, caffeine has been demonstrated to prolong seizures in electro-convulsive therapy or ECT. If you believe caffeine triggers your seizures, foods to avoid include chocolate, snacks made from dried coffee beans, and foods, candies or syrups that have a significant chocolate content. Beverages to avoid include tea, coffee, caffeinated sodas and caffeinated energy drinks.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/443254-what-foods-to-avoid-as-an-epileptic-patient/#ixzz2BpkCuvA0

 
KETOGENIC DIET

I've also read that a Ketogenic Diet can lead to a reduction in the frequency of epileptic seizures.  The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that in medicine is used primarily to treat difficult-to-control (refractory) epilepsy in children. The diet mimics aspects of starvation by forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Normally, the carbohydrates contained in food are converted into glucose, which is then transported around the body and is particularly important in fuelling brain function. However, if there is very little carbohydrate in the diet, the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies. The ketone bodies pass into the brain and replace glucose as an energy source. There is some evidence that adults with epilepsy may benefit from the diet, and that a less strict regime, such as a modified Atkins diet, is similarly effective.  However, research in this area is regarded as having provided insufficient data to produce clear practice parameters for clinical protocols.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet

GLUTEN FREE???

Food allergies can affect the body in various ways and, while an allergy to gluten – the protein found in wheat – is commonly associated with causing gastrointestinal symptoms, it may affect other areas of the body, such as the brain. Research has uncovered a potential link between celiac disease, a condition where a gluten allergy damages the intestines, and epilepsy. In some individuals, eliminating gluten from the diet may contribute to improved management of this condition. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/546325-wheat-free-diets-for-seizure-control/#ixzz2BppjDWYd

As you can see, everyone seems to have great ideas on the subject.  I'm sure different things work for different people, as everyones body is different.  I think I'm going to continue to do some research and then take some ideas to my physician and neurologist to see what we can come up with.  Hopefully they will have some ideas for me to take into consideration.  I highly recommend that before you commit to any change in diet to help control seizures, consult with your doctor first.  I'll try to blog my research and progress as often as possible.