I think this is going to be my strangest post I have ever made on this website. hahah. And this is the only place I know to go to for advice. So here I go…I have had alcohol a total of 5-7 times in my entire life. And for the last 2 months I have had a strong craving for it. How strange is that? Has anyone else had the same problem and it not be because of having an addiction. I have thought of just going out and buying a wine cooler or something like that and just going ahead and having one just to see if it ends the craving. But I hear all the time about how if your on a large dose of seizure meds not to drink alcohol at all. What should I do…would it be ok to just have a small drink? I’m interested in seeing if the craving will go away…and I have had it for 2 months now and it is driving me crazy. Any advice???
hi britney its margaret, i was on 850mg of dilantin for two years after my avm was removed. i was a social drinker before they discovered my avm, i love a gin and tonic every now and then. to be honest i didnt drink the first year after my op but after that i couldnt stop thinking of the good ol GnT so i did have a sip when ever i really wanted one. i made it weaker than id usually have it and i would only have about half the glass if not less.
please dont take this as an ok. DO SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR.
margaret
Brittany
I take seizure medicine and have for the past 15 years or so. it is not recommended that you drink alcohol because it lowers the threshold for seizures but I can not lie and tell you I have not had a drink here or there. I do not drink now not because of my medicines but it causes me great pain with my migraines/headaches. As margaret said I am not saying it is ok and you should speak with your doctor first.
Lee Ann
I spoke with my neurologist this morning…he said to try not to drink. I am not a drinker and I have never been a drinker…I honestly dont like the taste of alcohol…that is why it is so strange that I am craving it. I have decided that I am not going to drink for 2 reasons. 1. Being that I am on a very strong dose of seizure medication and 2. Just because I’m the type of person that doesnt ever drink.
I honestly got all philosophical on my self last night while laying in bed at midnight trying to fall asleep. Maybe I am craving fun…and not alcohol. Is that even possible? I dont know…I think I have just felt so bad for so long and now I am finally starting to feel a little better. So maybe it is my bodies way of saying to get back out and about and start having some more fun???
Brittany said:
I spoke with my neurologist this morning…he said to try not to drink. I am not a drinker and I have never been a drinker…I honestly dont like the taste of alcohol…that is why it is so strange that I am craving it. I have decided that I am not going to drink for 2 reasons. 1. Being that I am on a very strong dose of seizure medication and 2. Just because I’m the type of person that doesnt ever drink.
I honestly got all philosophical on my self last night while laying in bed at midnight trying to fall asleep. Maybe I am craving fun…and not alcohol. Is that even possible? I dont know…I think I have just felt so bad for so long and now I am finally starting to feel a little better. So maybe it is my bodies way of saying to get back out and about and start having some more fun???
Brittany
I am so glad you decided not to drink. You are right your body does crave just wanting to have some fun because you endure so much just trying to feel good. I love going out to have fun though my body is not always up to it I do go. Some feel I can’t have fun unless I drink and the way I cured that was my husband will make sure the bartender or whoever knows to make all my drinks virgins. This way it takes the pressure off of me and others think I am drinking and having what they call fun. You can have fun without drinking. Take it slow go out for a couple hours and see how you feel.
I am going to get a 190 Octane which is a strong daquiri tonight. I have decided to get me one and get screwed up a little bit at my house.
Hey britt i do not have an avm but i am also on meds and at times have realy wanted to have a drink but not for the taste of it but to be able to loosen up and have some fun. I agree with what you said and it is probabally the carefee life and the fun you are craving and not the alchol it self. A doctor has said to me that there are certain medications which affect alcohol in this way say if you were to have half a glass of wine well when you are on meds and have that half a glass of wine it is almost like having 5 glasses of wine this is the affect it has on mixing meds and alchol together.
Brittany I shoot pool on a legue 'and always drank on pool nite .After AVM I asked my doctor if I could drink beer while at pool ; he said only 1 I said not 2 he said only two .I do drink 2 on pool nite .I think you should ask your doctor because we aer all differant. I didn’t think to ask about wine I like that better !!!
Hey Britt so at least now you know why you’ve been having those strange cravings 
haha yeah…that is true!
Kerstin said:
Hey Britt so at least now you know why you’ve been having those strange cravings
You might as well forget getting drunk during pregnancy. Just do something fun that will get you laughing .
Brittany said:
haha yeah…that is true!
Kerstin said:Hey Britt so at least now you know why you’ve been having those strange cravings
the last two months you have been pregnated, You can not drink!!! You want to keep the little one safe in your womb. Find something else that will make you laugh.
You so need to go and buy some sparkling grape juice and then that will do the trick or ginger beer thats great not only good for drinking but ginger helps kill sickness!
I have to admit that this was one of the hardest things for me to accept post AVM. I would have been considered a heavy binge drinker. I kept on drinking for two years after diagnosed. I do not drink at all now. It has been around two and a half months and I now feel sometimes a little left out. However my healing is the strongest goal in my life at this point. All in all I am glad to know that other people have dealt with this as well and succeeded.
My doctor who is very relaxed about everything else was very adament about not drinking. He said it will cause a seizure…It’s not worth chancing it. You could regret it forever, esp if you have a seizure and it causes any longterm damage