Atkins for epilepsy

[greg671]

Hi everyone,

I was actually here maybe a year ago but I lost the thread, anyway I just wanted to know if anyone else has been using the Atkins diet for the treatment of epilepsy. I have epilepsy and I have been using antiepileptic medications but I have some pretty bad side effects from them (I especially get really tired and I sleep a lot and since I attend school sometimes in the evening it's pretty bad). Also I have trouble recalling information since I started taking the meds, and this is not helpful at all because the courses I am taking right now are very very hard.

So anyway, my neurologist suggested that I try the Atkins diet and maybe it'll help me reduce the dosage of the medications I am taking.

So is there anyone here who has tried that?
I am pretty much normal weight, kind of on the skinny side (163 pounds and I am 5´10), and I definitely don't want to lose any weight. Is this diet going to make me lose weight? Also I like to go to the gym and lift weights, I am not a bodybuilder or anything but I like to keep in shape. Anyway, does anybody know if I am going to have a harder time putting on muscle after starting this diet?

I have been on the diet for 2 days and I feel pretty tired. I've actually tried the diet for 3 days before, but I quit after the 3rd day.
Thanks in advance for the help,

Andrew

[SwissMiss]

Hi Andrew,

I recently saw a report on Swiss TV that a ketogenic-diet (such as Atkins) helped a little boy who suffered from epilepsy become healthy. I unfortunately don't have any reference :-(

The tiredness you feel the first few days will go away. Just stick to the plan and on the 4th or 5th day you will feel to have more energy.

Good luck

[Chicklady]

Just want to second the motion to stick with it a few more days. you will suddenly have bunches of nergy.

[not2late]

Have your doctor contact Johns Hopkins University Hospital, because they are/were doing a study on low carb and epilepsy. In fact, a couple of years ago, the director posted a thread here asking for volunteers.

[Elizellen]

Here is an article about a UK study using children with epilepsy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7378178.stm

A special high-fat diet helps to control fits in children with epilepsy, a UK trial suggests.
The number of seizures fell by a third in children on the "ketogenic" diet, where previously they had suffered fits every day despite medication.