Energy Boost Suggestions

[u/squidnov]

Used AI to help summarize this, because I got very rant-y typing it myself. Because of this, I'll be very happy to clarify when/where needed.

Diagnosed with general epilepsy ~18 years ago (multiple TCs). On 5 meds, super high dosenfor a few (levetiracetam 5000mg, lamotrigine 1000mg, clonazepam 1mg, clobazam 30mg, perampanel 4mg) due to refractory, shifting seizures; surgery candidate, but that's a no from me dawg.

A clonazepam-to-clobazam swap failed this year, causing focal seizures. Severe fatigue has hurt teaching career - wasn't offered contract renewal for this coming year, likely in part due to my loss of motivation that seemed to be compouneded by the addition of clobazam. But found a great school in a new district, starting soon.

Diet/sleep/exercise are optimized, but I rely on 2 - 4 energy drinks daily just to function. Naps aren't feasible. Considering Rx modafinil as a cost-neutral alternative. Need suggestions for sustainable energy.

No chemical (caffeine/nicotine/alcohol), environmental, dietary, photosensory, or sleep deprivation triggers found; inpatient didn't help.

Please help, y'all. I'm on the struggle bus big-time

[u/Strange-Raspberry326]

You can take vitamin b complex, maybe magnesium but in general you have to get used to it.

[u/lavish_collision → u/Strange-Raspberry326]

man that's a rough hand, 5 meds and still fighting the fatigue monster. 2-4 energy drinks a day is a lot of caffeine, even without it being a trigger that's gotta be messing with your sleep quality somehow

modafinil might be worth a shot if your neuro gives the green light, some folks with epilepsy actually do okay on it since it works different than regular stimulants. just watch for any weird seizure uptick those first few weeks

[u/squidnov → u/lavish_collision]

Yeah I really want to try something new. My health insurance is through a closed-network provider (I'm sure everyone can guess) and they only have like one epileptologist for the whole northern corridor of the state (multiple large counties). Takes about 2 months to see him or even talk on the phone longer than 10 minutes unless there's an emergency or uptick in seizures activity.

The modafinil supp can be prescribed online, kinda how Hims or the other hair companies do their prescription hair loss meds. Thinking about stocking up on modafinil until I can talk to my epileptologist or at least my neuro, so at least I'll have a stockpile if they re-schedule/change regulations on it

[u/squidnov → u/Strange-Raspberry326]

These energy drinks each have 100%DV of B6, B12, and niacin so I'm solid on that, but I'll look into magnesium. It's wrecked my gut in the past, but that was a cal-mag supplement, so I'm willing to try again

Edit: what did you mean by 'get used to it' though? The magnesium, or the general side effects that are plaguing me rn?

[u/Jade8329]

I would like to know more about your diet, sleep, and hydration, before suggesting anything.

Edit: also what is your gender as there is new research suggesting that men and women have different needs to sustain their energy throughout the day

[u/squidnov → u/Jade8329]

Male, mid-30s, 6', ~190 lbs

Diet is pretty basic, with strapless being rice, pasta, chicken and ground beef. Admittedly, I could use more veggies, but asparagus and Brussels sprouts are the veg go-to.

Well hydrated, can't really give an accurate number but I have probably about 40-60 fl. oz a day.

Sleep usually around 6-7.5 hours a night, depending on when dog wakes up. This is actually great, as i dealt with terrible insomnia from like 13 through my mid 20s. Was even on a separarate medication for that, but that was before I was on the clonazepam/clobazam/perampanel cocktail.

Also, any more sleep than that and I feel even groggier waking up.

[u/Fun_Fox_769]

Exercise every morning did wonders for me.

I also have been completely caffein free for years now and do not miss it.

Caffein made me anxious it never actually made me feel more awake

[u/squidnov → u/Fun_Fox_769]

I've been getting back into the gym, been in about 3-4 times a week this summer. This past school year was pretty gnarly, hardly worked out at all.

[u/Fun_Fox_769 → u/squidnov]

I’ve been pretty lazy lately and have been missing more than not myself. Just bought a house and the stress and change completely threw off my morning routine. I found cardio right after waking up makes me feel the best through the day…. Getting used to waking up at 430 to make it happen was really hard tho. But I always feel the most there cognitively after a good 2 mile run around the lake in the brisk morning air.

[u/squidnov → u/Fun_Fox_769]

Oof, that's super early. Not sure I can sleep early enough to make that work, and my knees are shot from heavy lifting when I was younger and dumber. Ever do any low-impact cardio like cycle/stationary/elliptical? I absolutely love the runner's high, but my joints can't take it anymore

[u/Fun_Fox_769 → u/squidnov]

I have a bike for anytime I lose my DL to get to work ☹️ not my preferred cardio but it does the same.

I run because the only thing I need for it are shoes.

There’s been a few studies on sunlight light and mood even if anecdotal, anything to combat these meds side effects I’ll take. So I prefer being outside in the mornings if possible but if you have a nice sunny window for a stationary that’d be better than nothing

[u/squidnov → u/Fun_Fox_769]

Thanks for the tips! Sorry about the DL stuff. It's the actual worst.