Further on
In May 2008 I was told that I had a condition that would kill me. I was sat next to my father at the time. Now that I can reflect on this incident in a calm situation I can see that I was immediately concerned for him. I didn’t really consider who would look after my feelings because I was scared about how this news would impact on those I hold dear to me. I went into ‘protective’ mode - and stayed in it for quite some time.
There were those that offered their help via this website and to whom I am so very grateful - Carla, mk2004, FireMedicMike being the immediate ones. I am so very, very lucky to have discovered dpd55 - whose scientific approach has brought me astonishing discoveries with the low-carb diet that now outsmarts the disease that the UK’s ‘experts’ predicted would finish me. I have tried to stay objective and analytical throughout the seven months that I have used this diet, recalling the method of intuitive thinking that I learned back in the 80s.
Battling the outside world with intuitive thinking is one thing - confronting the inner world of feelings with emotional intelligence is another. And with that I really have problems: I’d been told I was going to die and just about everything I coming back to haunt me.. Anger, fear and sadness. Right when I needed it most Adam247 was there -in person - to listen to me and all the stuff I’d never dared to voice before. I suspect that quite a bit more is needed as time goes on - but the outshot of all this is that I’m learning something new: to trust.
The seizures came back in December/January. Once a week, in the mornings they would strike. It was a mystery as to why - as I hadn’t changed anything so I couldn’t figure out a cause. My waking hours were spent making sure that I was doing everything I could to keep them at bay - but they were back…
Here is my latest idea:
The brain uses glucose to power epileptic seizures - the chemical reactions involved when the neurotransmitters all fire off need the rapid energy that glucose provides. A low carb diet gives the brain limited glucose - the diet gives it ketones - which are a much slower form of energy and can’t power the neurotransmitter ‘big bang’.
So glucose is coming from somewhere - once a week early in the morning…
The part of my brain that IS damaged is called the amygdala. This was shown in MRI scans taken back in 2001. There’s two amygdala - one on the left, one on the right side of the brain. My damaged one is on the left side. The amygdala is involved with the formation of memories and intense emotions. When we sleep, it is particularly active during REM sleep and the dreams we have during this time. Could my left amygdala somehow activate the hormone system while I sleep? In particular during dreams that involve anxiety or distress, could it not make the adrenal glands release more cortisol? During waking hours, the adrenal glands can do this… Under normal circumstances, cortisol levels are known to be highest as we wake - so if there was some disruption to this normal system, could my body be making more cortisol as sleep - and in particular as I dream?
I say this because cortisol increases gluconeogenesis - the chemical process where the liver breaks down protein and turns it into glucose and then releases it into the blood. This would increasing the amount of glucose circulating in the blood. This could then explain how my brain gets hold of the glucose it needs for seizures in the morning.
Cortisol also decreases amino acid uptake by muscle, preventing protein synthesis. This could explain why my body is simply not growing despite high amounts of dietary protein and fat. I eat 300g/30g/350g (pro/carb/fat) daily.
Any suggestions?
February 27, 2009 at 7:37 am
HOPE and TRUST; the things that will see you through this one.
Sending hugs and blessings.
Carla