PDA

View Full Version : B Vitamins/seizures


andy1618
01-15-2008, 02:40 PM
Hi all,

This is my first posting on BrainTalks. Here is my story:

I had my first seizure at two weeks old. I spent the first six months of my life in and out of hospital. Doctors were mystified by my illness. None of the ‘normal’ antiepileptic drugs that were administered had any positive effects. At this time I was having many ‘different types’ of seizures a day some of which went status. Countless tests were being done including, EEGs, lumber punctures… etc. A top pediatrician from the main city hospital told my mother that he was going to a meeting. He said he would talk about me in the hope that someone there would be able to help us. At this meeting there was a professor who was doing research into childhood epilepsy. He suggested a trial of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6). The antiepileptic drugs were withdrawn and the Pyridoxine Hydrochloride was administered (I was five months old). Within two to three days my mother noticed a big difference in me. I’d stopped having severe seizures (this all happened back in 1970-71). I’ve been taking Pyridoxine Hydrochloride on a daily bases ever since.

I owe my life to vitamin B6! Without Vitamin B6 I would either be mentally impaired due to severe seizure activity or worse. I probably would not have seen my first birthday.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=266100

when I was 19 years of age I introduced a multi B complex to my medication. I have had my B complex tablets checked out at the hospital and they were safe for me to take. The B complex tablet stopped an aura that I was experiencing almost every morning.

Before I started taking the B complex tablet, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6) was the ONLY medication I used to control my seizures.

I have been using vitamin B6 to control my seizures for nearly 37 years. AEDs have never had any positive effects in controlling my seizures.

I have been approx. 17 years clear of all my major seizures using B vitamins only.

Pyridoxine Dependent Epilepsy is very rare.

Andrew

annelb
01-15-2008, 11:25 PM
I am happy to hear that they figured out your B6 deficiency early.

Here is more information on B6 deficiency from The Gluten File http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/vitaminb6
Anne

katecamp
01-20-2008, 05:28 PM
Bravo Andy

I am happy to read a success story, maybe you can repost on that thread as there aren't many there, unfortunately :-( Maybe even send your story to Oprah, she is good about those sort of stories and getting the word out. Maybe somebody is struggling out there and could use this info!!

Thanks for sharing

Kate

LIZARD
01-20-2008, 05:43 PM
Hey, Andy. :)

It's always great to hear of a B6 success story. I wish that had been the case for my best friend's baby boy. He's 18 months old (19 mo this week) and started having Infantile Spasms at about 5 months old. B6 was tried first, and he had a great honeymoon period of about 2 weeks. Several AEDs later, he's still trying to get decent control. :(

I'm glad you told your story, though. :) I'm sure it can help someone out there. I suggest posting to Child Neurology and Epilepsy here.

LIZARD :)

Nana4&cntn
01-24-2008, 12:45 AM
Hi Andy,

I am so happy for you. I used to work with the developmental disabled adults. A good portion of them had had epilepsy since birth. How I wish vitamin B6 was thought of then.
Good Luck and many happy years to come.