A few weeks ago I gave up coffee. I hadn't planned to, but one day I just didn't happen to have any and the next I woke up and thought, "I should just stop drinking it." I've never really liked coffee... I only drank it for the caffeine. Caffeine can lower the seizure threshold (i.e., make me more susceptible). I'm better off without it. After a few days of headaches I was good to go, and I don't miss it. I can always have decaf with my PSL, right? ;)
Fast forward to this week. I've never been a big drinker, but I've always had a good tolerance for alcohol and I do love a glass of wine. But ever since June I have dramatically reduced my alcohol consumption for the same reason I gave up coffee: alcohol lowers the seizure threshold. It can also adversely interact with my medications and reduce their efficacy.
To be clear, neither the doctor nor the pharmacist told me not to drink alcohol while on these meds, but I was reducing anyway.
Even so, it seemed to be interacting. And then last weekend I had a few more drinks than normal. And this week I had five partials over two days. Coincidence? Probably not. Everything I have read online and the people I have chatted with have agreed: it's best just to cut out the alcohol altogether, at least until I'm stable.
In addition, my meds are increasing again. I saw the neuro yesterday and told him that while I've been mostly clear, I'm not 100% yet and am ok with increasing the meds. I would rather do that than try a different medication with unknown reactions. He agreed. So we're upping the Levetiracetam to 3000mg/day, which is the highest recommended dosage. If this still does not work, we will have to try a different med... so cross your fingers that this dosage does the trick.
Meanwhile, still no driving until further notice. :(
As much as I will miss my wine, driving and stabilizing are more important.
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