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From the lens Modified Atkins Diet for Seizure Control.

  • kimberliesvc Mar 30, 2011 @ 5:32 am | delete
    http://www.autismseizureselfinjuriousbehavior.com/
  • TNTonya Jan 12, 2011 @ 11:25 pm | delete
    This lens is well written and really impressive. Personal and informative. I'm glad I found you while searching on Squidoo. I've had a rare form of seizure disorder for over 25 years and just recently enjoyed 2 months seizure free. I've considered the Atkins diet and I know when I lose about 10% of my excess body weight, seizures will remain under control and my meds will be cut back. The more I read about the diet, the easier I'm finding it to make a decision to go Atkins all the way. Something to share, did you know Aspartame increases seizures? I look forward to reading more from you.
  • cathyhollar Jan 12, 2011 @ 7:13 am | delete
    Hi. For those on the modified atkins diet and have had improvements in seizure control, how long did it take before you saw this improvement?
  • marcy_preece@yahoo.com Nov 2, 2010 @ 7:56 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for providing information to people like me. I just had my daughters labs drawn to make sure she will be able to handle the modified Atkins diet last Thursday. I am very excited about starting it but am also discouraged at the same time. I tried cooking a low carb casserole for her yesterday and when i got done i couldn't figure out how many carbs for each serving, or how many servings were in the casserole dish, or how many carbs were in the head of cauliflower i used. The nutritionist is recommending we start her out between 20-30 carbs a day, is this similar to what you did with your daughter? My daughter is 10yrs and the size of a 6yr old, 42lbs and I'm worried she will get even thinner :( Any suggestions on how to prepare large amounts of food so i can freeze it and have food on hand (will make school a LOT easier)???
  • tessmax Sep 3, 2010 @ 6:35 am | delete
    New to this forum and modified atkins diet in view of gaining some control over sons epilepsy. About 50 days into diet and shopping has never taken me so long!

    Am enjoying modifying recipes now and taking a renewed interest in food - spendng alot of time at the deli. Love using the coconut flour as an alternative ingrediant and currently researching the fast food chains nutritional (if any) facts sheets.
    ie- chicken nuggets have less carbs than french fries,hash browns and certainly hamburgers with bun! I have lost weight and feeling great, son coping with the modifications and improvement with seizures in the mornings.
    Breakfast taking a while as omelettes all round - so far so good - nothing to lose....
  • kwajkid Apr 26, 2010 @ 9:09 pm | delete
    My son 5 started having seizures at 4 months of age. We suffered for years trying to get the seizures in control. He has retractable seizures and medications were not helping. We started him on the ketogenic diet when he was just turning 3 for seizure control and it helped substantially. He went from having approx 500 + seizures a day to 100, 50, 30, 10. In Dec 2008 he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. Keeping him on the diet has been one of the best "medicines" we have tried but he is getting very bored with the same food everyday. I am looking for some creative recipes that have a little carb intake as possible.
  • TNTonya Jan 12, 2011 @ 11:29 pm | delete
    I have read Atkins is good medicine for Dravet's. Wonderful news about the seizure reduction. You're doing a great job. Keep up the great work!
  • spiderman2008 Apr 24, 2010 @ 5:07 am | delete
    Hi, nice blog I see here. I have to say that I liked looking at your post. atkins diet plan
  • patricia clark Apr 12, 2010 @ 9:56 am | delete
    I am looking for a doctor or nutritionist in kentucky who might work with me on this diet.
  • Maywish Oct 2, 2009 @ 9:07 am | in reply to Gary | delete
    Hi Gary. After how long on being on the Modified Atkins Diet, did the doctor begin to first decrease the medications? Did the doctor begin to decrease the medication because he/she noticed that the diet was working? I am hesitant in decreasing medicine while my brother is on the diet, because I don't want any withdrawal seizures.
  • Maywish Oct 2, 2009 @ 8:47 am | delete
    Hi, my brother is now 13 and started having seizures when he was 4 months old. He has gone through many many medications, and nothing seems to work. Since January, his seizure activity has gotten worse and it has become cyclical in that it happens on the same day of every week. -----Is that unusual? could it be because of puberty?

    He recently started the Modified Atkins Diet to control his seizures (along with his medications). He takes 15-20mg of carbs a day. My question is after how many weeks/months does the atkins diet start to decrease the seizure activity?

    It would be our dream come true to see him seizure-free, and I wish that for everyone. Best wishes, Maywish
  • Marcy Nov 2, 2010 @ 8:03 pm | delete
    I was told that you should see if the diet is working between 3-4weeks and if they havent gotten any better in 2-3months then you know it isnt going to work like hoped. I have also heard that puberty can effect the seizures too, some kids get worse and some get better is what the docs told me. I'll pray for your brother and for you too, I am hoping to start the diet for my daughter 10 in the next couple weeks. VERY nervous!!
  • TNTonya Jan 12, 2011 @ 11:33 pm | delete
    Maywish, I've had seizures all my adult life and my daughter,now an adult, started her seizures at onset of puberty. Every seizure disorder is different but I do know that hormone changes are a huge stress on the body and stress triggers seizures. Talk to his doctor and see if there can be added on medications around the days he is most seizure sensitive. The goal is to see him seizure free. Right now you are walking the journey to recovery with him. Stay strong, you are a solid support for him.
  • Bedbug Jul 3, 2009 @ 2:01 pm | delete
    My son has Cp and seizures. I am trying so hard to do this diet to see if it will help him. My problem is he can only eat pureeded foods. Where can I find some recipies that I can puree to the consistancie of baby food Thanks for any help
  • Black57 May 25, 2009 @ 1:26 pm | in reply to Roshnee | delete
    Hello Roshnee, sorry for the long wait. Hope things are getting better for your daughter. Being able to "stomach" low carb takes a little adjusting. Especially if her diet has been much different from what she is eating now. What do you feed her on this wonderful ketogenic diet by the way? Perhaps you might want to reduce her fat intake a little and as she makes the adjustments begin to increase the amount. What kind of fats are you feeding her? My recommendations are coconut oil, butter,olive oil, avocado oils. So she doesn't have to have a lot of meat fats, yet. You want her to enjoy the diet so I would take my time adding those fats. They're wonderful and probably the most important nutrient in any diet. But we've been taught to avoid these so it is something quite new for the body. I will be e mailing you soon.

    Thanks Dear,
    Mary
  • Albertoc May 23, 2009 @ 4:44 pm | delete
    I had my first seizure when 51 yrs old, the doctor receipt 2 daily 100 mg dylantin , the next one exacty at year, the doctor said 3 caps one day 4 one day . I had the next one at 16 months , the doctor said my level very low increase to 4 caps every day. Really I have not side effects. Today I am reading about Modified Atkins diet. I will begin inmediately and I will tell you what about it.
  • Roshnee May 19, 2009 @ 5:51 am | in reply to Black57 | delete
    Hi, My daughter is Risha, 36 yrs old, mentally retarded, with seizures; she has been under control for most of her life but has begun having numerous myoclonic seizures daily. she is maxed out on 2 meds and is taking an additional 2 meds lower doses, for seizures. she started the mod atkins diet 3 wks ago and has some good days and some bad days. the prob with the diet is that she gets nauseous especially in the morning; and occ vomits. what do you suggest for breakfast.
    my email is rmaharajh50@hotmail.com;
    thanks, Roshnee
  • GreenEcoBean Apr 5, 2009 @ 10:37 pm | delete
    Thanks so much for this article, it is informative and spreads the word about something important. I have you featured on my lense: http://www.squidoo.com/diabetes-atkins
  • realadviser Apr 2, 2009 @ 2:34 pm | delete
    I am 27 and was diagnosed as a depressive when I was 16. At the time my other mood states were pretty much put down to being a teenager but they progressively became worse over the years to a point where I didn't feel I had any balance or control and needed help badly. Lamictal 100 mg has made such a huge difference to me. I haven't had any side-effects and my creativity is still there. Life has become more fun and easy for me and the little things that used to hugely impact on my moods are hardly a blip on the radar now.
  • Bear831 Feb 5, 2009 @ 12:42 pm | delete
    My husband is 32 years old and has suffered with seizers all his life due to menengitis as an infant. He is maxed out on the dosage of meds he is on now and the seizers are increasing. He has mostly complex partial seizers, 2-3 a day, however, about once a year for the past 6 or 7 years he ends up having a granmal. I have inquired about diets to help him but his Dr.s insist surgery is the answer. We can not afford the insurance nor the cost, so, I am hoping he will agree to try the Atkins method. I will give you all updates and I will be praying for all of you who you yourself or a loved one is suffering from this heartbreaking disease.
  • Black57 Feb 4, 2009 @ 4:57 pm | delete
    I posted a few days ago. At that time I was Mary Titus...still Mary Titus but now Black57 is my username. I am happy to see so many people benefitting from this low carb ketogenic diet. I have been low carbing for over 6 years and I am now consuming even fewer carbs than I did when on Atkins induction phase. If anyone needs help, encouragement, information...anything. Contact me. I can help in some way, or I will find someone who can.My goal is to see all neurological disorders get the full advantage of low carb and ketones. I have a cousin who is epileptic and just recalled that fact after roaming this site. I may try and contact him. This would be such a help to him.

    Thanks,
  • Kelly C Jan 13, 2009 @ 8:58 am | delete
    that is great that you are in the catering sector, would you mind sharing some recipes with us that could help with the diet? Rescatecyn@aol.com
  • Mary Titus Jan 11, 2009 @ 1:49 pm | delete
    Hello to you all. My heart goes out to you and everyone dealing with movement disorders. Except for the fact that my dad developed seizures follow a few strokes, I would have no experience at this. My dad passed away long before I began my Atkins/low carb journey. Although my diet has benn low carb for over 6 years, it can has been mostly ketogenic for the past 2 years. I also do intermittent fasts and find that ketogenic diets work best when coupled with fasting.

    I don't eat this way because I feel that I have no other choice. I eat this way because I truly enjoy the food and I feel that it is the most healthiest way to eat. I've looked at some of the recipes and I think they look scrumptious. I would like to get a better idea of what is truly ketogenic so that I can post some of my recipes that would help famlies dealing with epilepsy while encouraging non-epileptics to eat this way.

    Peace to you all,
    Mary
  • Alice Dec 8, 2008 @ 10:49 pm | delete
    I'm 29 years old and have had seizures since I was 13. I have never gone over two months since then without any seizures. I did some research on my own a little over a month ago, and came across the Modified Atkins diet. With a lot of self-education, I started the diet, and went from 1-4 seizures a week to 0.
    Unfortunately, I found out too late about Dr. Kossoff's new study on internet administration of the diet, but I just downoaded the eBook Atkins for Seizures, and it has been very helpful.
    I, along with my friends, family and professors cannot believe the difference the diet has made. It feels like a miracle.
  • Angela Oct 12, 2008 @ 9:33 pm | delete
    I just started my daughter, Ariana on Atkins and have seen some results, instead of 10-15 seizures a day she is down to 2 per day. Though I have lost my job due to my daughter's continuous stays in the hospital I feel I was blessed to have this time to really focus on what's best for her, A BETTER WAY OF EATTING! Many of my friends and family think I crazy but now I see my daughter returning back to the sweet little girl I remembered. I am confident in time she will be seizure free.
  • Kelly Sep 27, 2008 @ 2:41 pm | delete
    Gary, I have the same story. My little Eli was very ill and intractable to meds. He was having 20-30 seizures per day. On the Ketogenic Diet he was seizure free for the first time but couldn't handle the diet's harshness. Dr. Devinsky @ NYU changed the diet and Eli's only had two auras in 9 months. It's truly God's Gift to our little ones.

    Eli has his life back. We lost him for awhile, but now his just great.
  • Catherine Aylesworth Sep 1, 2008 @ 7:36 am | delete
    My son is twelve years old and currently on depakote er 500 mg. I have recently found out that he can no longer swallow the pills and it chewing them instead. He is unable to remember his schoolwork and my once caring fellow is fighting everyone and can't seem to control his implusiveness. He has abnormal brain activity but has only had two seizures in his entire life. The only test he has had is two EEGs. What direction should I go? Will this diet help him? Thank you for your time.
  • Bridget Jun 11, 2008 @ 10:29 pm | delete
    I am blessed to be the mother of two wonderful girls! The oldest, 11, has epilepsy and has had since 8 months old. We have been on MAD for only a month - but have been seizure free & are so totally excited. I have worked in catering for a while, and LOVE to play in the kitchen - this is just a new reason to do so. I love finding recipes online - some are great, some I have adapated, but all are appreciated. Thanks for an awesome site (2 now) that we can really draw a lot of information from. It is wonderful to know we aren't alone in such a world of carb counting & fat boosting!
  • Bridget Jun 11, 2008 @ 10:29 pm | delete
    I am blessed to be the mother of two wonderful girls! The oldest, 11, has epilepsy and has had since 8 months old. We have been on MAD for only a month - but have been seizure free & are so totally excited. I have worked in catering for a while, and LOVE to play in the kitchen - this is just a new reason to do so. I love finding recipes online - some are great, some I have adapated, but all are appreciated. Thanks for an awesome site (2 now) that we can really draw a lot of information from. It is wonderful to know we aren't alone in such a world of carb counting & fat boosting!
  • jeffwend Jun 10, 2008 @ 11:02 pm | delete
    Hi,
    Just a quick note to let you know that I am featuring your lens in my Natural Health Group.
  • dawn May 5, 2008 @ 6:34 pm | delete
    I am an Adult with seizures and have had trouble with meds. So like most people who want a resemblance of normality I thought i would give the diet a go. Well i am happy that my seizures have reduced dramatically. I am still mastering the diet and really only miss my pasta, but having less seizures its worth the sacrifice.
  • Susan Meehan Feb 12, 2008 @ 8:58 am | delete
    Is there a vaccination connection to seizures??? ABSOLUTELY. My 4th daughter was on tract developmentally, normal, happy, just beginning to talk 10 month old. On June 21, 2003 she received her 9 month vaccinations. On June 22, 27 hours later, she started having life threatening seizures... We have just "discovered" this diet, and have a glimmer of hope. The only time Cyndimae stopped having seizures daily was after a week of vomitting and no eating. She was seizure free for 6 months afterward when she was 18 months old. No one realized the potential connection back then. The light is visible again. We have hope we will see our little girl shine again...
  • Josephine Feb 6, 2008 @ 8:45 am | delete
    I am the lucky mother of a precious 11 year old girl whom I adopted and who is totally blind as a result of child abuse when she was 5 months old. When she approached puberty at 9 years, she began experiencing partial complex seizures as an addditional insult of the child abuse.In hindsight, I believe she had been experiencing absence seizures since she was 6, but we thought they were just an inability to focus due to learning disabilities. Anyway, it seemed almost incomprehensible to me that the abuse was now heaping more suffering into her life. When the neurologist placed her on medication, she suffered horrible side effects. I began immediately seeking an alternative therapy and found the MAD.My child, after being on the diet for 15 months, is seizure free and med free. Her focus is great and she is now playing "catch-up." She does still occasionally experience little smells which used to be a part of an aura which preceded her seizure, but, even those are disappearing. We love MAD
  • LauraO Jan 18, 2008 @ 12:02 pm | delete
    Being a parent is pretty scary! Being a parent of a child with seizures is unbelievably scary. With the Modified Atkins diet, we now feel hope, we now feel like WE are in control, and we can't wait to start reducing medications that did no good and lots of harm. I am grateful that there is a network of others going through this experience too - it's such a comfort to know we are not alone, and that we can help each other. Thank you, Michael, for bringing us together ... words cannot express my gratitude!
  • Pepper Jan 17, 2008 @ 4:15 pm | delete
    I'm an adult, and the Atkin's diet helps me control my seizures, as well as my weight. I miss the high carb stuff less and less, and find more and more low carb goodies. I have a low carb product review group on Yahoo.
  • Gary Jan 16, 2008 @ 9:36 am | delete
    Prior to the diet, my daughter Claire was on the maximum dosage of two (sometimes three) meds and still requiring a Diastat rescue on a nearly weekly basis. As of today (mid-January 2008), we are at nine and a half months since we needed to use Diastat. In that time we have begun very slowly dropping her meds and are at about 50% of where we were. Each time we reduce her medication (by even a tiny increment) we see a positive change in balance, speech complexity, etc. It's not being overdramatic to say we have gotten our little girl back.
  • jeffwend Dec 23, 2007 @ 10:13 am | delete
    Good info, I never had heard of this.

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Michael_Koski

I am the happy dad of four children.   I love being with my family and have worked hard to learn how to have as much time freedom as possible. ... more »

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