Is anyone JF/or has JF'd that has epilepsy or psoriasis? I have both and am VERY curious to know anyone elses experiences or recommendations...

[Paige Fulghum]

Ok. So because everyone is starting this feast on 3/7/09 I decided to as well. I was going to wait a little longer until I got more money together but I was able to figure that part out. In doing the research on juicefeasting.com I recently purchased ALL the recommended supplements. I have stopped taking my epilepsy medication since November 1st when I became a vegan. I have noticed a substantial decrease in my seizures since then. The medication makes me feel strange and all anti-convulsants are also anti-depression medications. I do not need anti-depression and it affects me in many adverse ways so I chose to get off that medication and am happy with my decision. Although my neurologist is not. I am hoping that someone else has already gone through the feast with this health problem and can tell me some of what they experienced and or if there were any supplements (extra) that they took to prevent or assist with lowering the seizure threshold NATURALLY. I also have psoriasis (gutate) and even though it has gotten better over the years I still have it pretty badly on my scalp and one spot on my right side below my breast. I am wondering the same thing here... Anyone that has gone through it did their psoriasis get worse during the feast? Did it go away after or throughout? Were there any extra supplements they used for their scalp or outbreaks? I am nervous but optimistic about both medical issues in experiencing the feast. From my research I know the extreme detox we are putting our bodies through and expect my psoriasis to flare. I am also concerned about the stress on my body causing stronger seizures. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANYONES FEEDBACK ON THIS!!! David if you read this please let me know if you have any information on either of these issues. Thank you for your time if you have read this.

Sincerely,
Paige Fulghum

[Teanu]

Hi Paige,

I sort have an understanding of what you're going through. I would like to share my experience and knowledge and hope it will bring some light into your quest to heal naturally.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy 12 years ago. I was placed on Depakote to manage my Grand Mal Seizures....then all hell broke loose. I gained 50 lbs. in 2 months, my skin became splotchy and my mind became extremely cloudy from that gawd awful drug. My neurologist adamantly told me that I would be on anti-seizure medication for the rest of my life. 6 months later I had enough and I began weaning myself off of the drug and began researching epilepsy and alternative methods to dealing with this extremely serious complex condition. After hours of reading information on epilepsy and other anti-seizure medications, I came across one drug called Neurotin. Anyway, to make a long boring process short...I realized that Neurotin was a synthetic form of a particular amino acid. Now I'm no doctor or scientist but, what I discovered was that many with epilepsy are deficient in a particular amino acid called Gamma-Aminobutyric acid or GABA and Neurotin was Big Pharma's answer to a already available natural supplement that has no side effects.
I've included a brief description of GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid):
GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. When the level of GABA in the brain decreases below a certain level, seizures and other neurological disorders may occur. The level of GABA in the brain is controlled by two enzymes, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T).

GABA is considered to act as a natural calming and anti-epileptic agent in the brain. Since GABA is not transported efficiently into the brain from the bloodstream, most of the GABA found in the brain is manufactured there. For that reason, supplemental GABA would not be expected to increase levels of GABA in the brain. Howver, a few physicians have reported that GABA can be beneficial when used in connection with a variety of brain disorders including epilepsy and schizophrenia, but these reports have not been substantiated by human pharmacological studies. Intake of high levels GABA has shown to produce a marked increase in plasma growth-hormone levels and prolactin in one study, but the implication and application of these findings is not yet clear.

GABA is commonly found at any Health Supplement store. But, don't due the GNC route. You're better off purchasing it online. I've been supplementing my diet with GABA and have not had a seizure since. I take 500 mg daily and when I'm really exhausted I'll take 1500 mg. I've taken up to 3000 mg without any problem. I hope this information helps. Please do your own due diligence and research into GABA . Oh, and by the way...since I've been juice feasting for the last 22 days, I've only taken GABA twice. I haven't had a need for it. I truly believe that the detoxing of my body is greatly helping.

Peaceful journey,
Teanu

[Paige Fulghum]

I can not thank you enough for your response! I will with out a doubt do further research on GABA! It is nice to know that you have been on the feast for 22 days with out any problems. I have had epilepsy since I was 12 years old and I have taken tons of different medications: Depakote, Zonnogran, Kepra, Topomax, Lamictal, I have taken Melatonin for sleep, and Folic Acid to lower my threshold. I usually have Petite Mal seizures but have had 8 Grand Mal in the last 14 years. I am always open to natural alternatives, since I have tried all the above medications and NEVER found true relief. SO again, thank you. I will check it out and I look forward to my feast even more now knowing someone else who has seizures is doing well. Thank you for your time in giving me all this information and for reading my post. Have a wonderful day.

With love,
Paige