Road Cycling - Biking and Epilepsy

Does anyone here riding bicycles have epilepsy? I have epilepsy, but it is fully controlled by medication and brain surgery. I haven't had a seizure in 8 years since my surgeries, but I am still on Tegretol XR. (600 mg/morning).

I do drive a car now, but I still love to ride a bicycle and have decided to get into racing this year.

I can't see how cycling would be harmful to you, and if in a slight way it does I'm sure the benefits of the exerciseing would far outweigh the consequences, but is always a good idea to discuss it with your doctor.

The only danger to me is where I had my brain surgery. They removed 5 cm of my left temporal lobe and in doing so, the surgeon had to drill away a portion of my skull and that part is exposed. I have to buy helmets that cover my temporal lobe area because of the lack of protection there.

yikes

Pletcgm.
I also suffer from Epilepsy, though mine is so mild and harmless as to be of no consequence, because I never blackout or lose control, I decided to come off the meds and sort myself out when they happen.Yours sounds af if you've had a hard time and you have my best wishes.

This subject has been in my thoughts several times whilst riding lately. The sun is low in the sky at this time of year and quite often it is behind the trees along the road, and as I cycle along there is a distinctive strobe effect and I was wondering if that would trigger a fit in a suscecptible cyclist. I never heard of it myself but it must have happened.

Seeing as you now drive a car you must be doing well, so I wouldn't let it stop you riding,though I would think about getting those dogtags that have been mentioned in another thread. it would be an ideal way of people knowing what problems you have if something did go wrong whilst out riding.

it's just a thought.

all the best

Ouch!

Originally posted by Ouch !
though I would think about getting those dogtags that have been mentioned in another thread.

pletcgm, if you're interested I think these are the dog tags (http://www.roadid.com/) that Ouch! is talking about. I have the ankle thingy. Never know when something might go wrong healthwise or could be involved in an accident. :crash:

Hope the epilepsy stays under control.

http://www.roadid.com/images/4_small_images.jpg

Originally posted by Ouch !
This subject has been in my thoughts several times whilst riding lately. The sun is low in the sky at this time of year and quite often it is behind the trees along the road, and as I cycle along there is a distinctive strobe effect and I was wondering if that would trigger a fit in a suscecptible cyclist. I never heard of it myself but it must have happened.
Ouch!

It is possible that it could trigger a seizure if you are susceptible. Luckily, I am not affected by flashing lights.


Originally posted by Ouch !
Yours sounds af if you've had a hard time

Actually, my seizures were very mild. I only had 1 to 2 per month. I really pushed my epileptologist for the surgery, even though I was not an ideal candidate in 1994. I still take my medicine because I have done so well that I am afraid to come off. Plus, the way I look at it, I take a lot of vitamin supplements and my propecia, so what's 3 more pills in the morning!

I often wondered about this issue. Not that i have to worry about it personally, but I wonder about certain types of medical conditions and cycling. I suppose it's a good idea to ask a professional, but I am sure that if you're under control, it's not too much to worry about. Just make sure you have a medicalert tag, and if you're worried, don't go for rides alone, in case something does happen. As for the brain surgery, well, that puts you in the same boat as Lance Armstrong!!

Pletcgm, did you have Deja Vu just before the seizure ? because if there is one thing I wish other people could experience it's that.

Now that was one wild sensation:) totally trippy.

Everyone has deja vu from time to time, how is it different for epileptics? I'm curious. Is it more vivid or something?

The issue of the strobe effect is interesting, as I expect every rider has seen it. My only caution with Tegretol is to keep hydrated and use sun screen.

One day I was out riding and met another cyclist. We got to talking and he told me that he was epileptic and that he broke his hip once because he had a seizure and fell off his bike. He still rides, tho because he can't get a driving liscense.

I guess I'll throw my 2 cents worth in. I work with folks who have had head injuries, brain anomalies, etc., some of whom had psychosurgery for seizure control.

If you haven't already done so, I would check with your neuro guy/gal re. the helmet you intend to use to make sure it provides adequate protection.

Best Regards!

Mary Ann

Wabbit, in normal day activities I've experienced deja-vu, you know you could be cycling down a strange road that you've never been down before only to get the curious sensation you've been there at some time in the past.

Whilst that is deja-vu it's not like pre-seizure sensation.

Preseizure deja-vu is nothing else, it's something that takes you over, you think your on to something big. You think your just about to get the answer to life, universe and everything, but it's just out of reach, Throw in some hallucinations and you've got one wild and trippy time.

One friend prior to being diagnosed thought she was getting messages from God ! I myself as a kid didn't tell anybody about what was happening, because I couldn't understand how I could tell what was going to happen a few seconds before it did.

Unfortunately it's the s*! * that comes after it, that's a bummer.

On the deja vu thing, I suffered from mild epilepsy for about four years. There is a very distinct deja vu at the onset of a seizure. At least for me. Was actually very enjoyable. I could never, and can't now, adequately describe it. Only that it was very strange and almost "other world". Never a druggie, so wasn't a flashback.

I worked at UPenn at the time so had the benefits of their extensive medical system. Lots of study, but never found a cause. Lasted for about 3-4 years and then went away without any medication or surgery. I always thought it was either from too much sex or not enough. Being a healthy person in my late 20's at the time, I worked on the 'not enough' thesis. Seems to have worked as I haven't had a problem in 25 years. Hope everyone else has the same good results.

Originally posted by Ouch !
Pletcgm, did you have Deja Vu just before the seizure ? because if there is one thing I wish other people could experience it's that.

Now that was one wild sensation:) totally trippy.

I still have auras, but they are very infrequent and very short...less that 2 seconds.

Yes I did have deja vu sometimes. Most of my warnings were a feeling of hollowness. Everything seemed distant.

Originally posted by hotch
The issue of the strobe effect is interesting, as I expect every rider has seen it. My only caution with Tegretol is to keep hydrated and use sun screen.

Yep, my epileptologist has told me over and over about the dangers of tegretol and sun exposure. I now use an SPF 70.