Taking Control of your Grand Mal Seizures using Vagus Nerve Stimulation

This week we're sharing the second half of Charly's experience with the Rezzimax Tuner. As you might remember, she was born with Club Feet, which has caused chronic pain throughout her life, even to the point of causing seizures. Watch the video above to hear her story of how she's been able to rein in her seizures with proactive application of the Rezzimax Tuner! Here's what she said:

"The Rezzimax helps with the seizures because it helps with the foot pain. If your body's in any sort of stress goes into this override of like, “What the heck do I do?” And then that's when I go into the grand mal seizure.
Any sort of stress like not feeling my feet- because that happens quite often. Auras, I will put the Rezzimax behind my ear, right here, hitting the vagus nerve point or I will put it under my armpit.
Sometimes if I'm almost defensive, I want to use- nothing's helping. It is just a snowball effect and I'm going to have a seizure anyways. But sometimes my boyfriend can lift my leg and stick the Rezzimax underneath my leg. The instant feeling of pushing away- I won't feel that feeling because my body is already understanding the feeling. It already knows that the Rezzimax brings good things. It calms me down within 2 minutes and the auras are gone.
Most people go through ups and downs in their lives where they have periods of a lot of seizures and then periods of like hardly any. I've noticed that the auras are what brings on seizures. And so I know that during this period of my life I would have a lot more seizures if I didn't have the Rezzimax because the Rezzimax stops the auras! It stops the auras! And if I can stop the auras, then I won't have a seizure. That's been incredible for me!
It's life changing because these teeth, these beautiful teeth, well, I've broken a few of them. I had one while I was driving, so I no longer get to drive. It's changed my life in so many ways. But the Rezzimax has, too, and I'm back on a road where I can do many more things. And I am grateful as can be."

An Overview of Grand Mal Seizures

Grand mal seizures are also called tonic-clonic seizures, and are the most severe type of generalized seizures. They involve a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions, making them one of the most recognizable and concerning forms of epilepsy. Today we're going to dive in and learn a little bit more about grand mal seizures, including their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

What Are Grand Mal Seizures?

Grand mal seizures are a type of epileptic seizure characterized by two distinct phases: the tonic phase and the clonic phase. During the tonic phase, the body becomes rigid due to intense muscle contractions. This is followed by the clonic phase, where the muscles rapidly alternate between contracting and relaxing, causing convulsions.

Causes of Grand Mal Seizures

What exactly is the cause of grand mal seizures? There's not necessarily one determining factor, but any of the following can be a trigger:

1. Genetic Factors: A family history of epilepsy can increase the likelihood of grand mal seizures.
2. Brain Injuries: Trauma, such as a severe head injury, can result in seizures.
3. Infections: Infections like meningitis or encephalitis can lead to seizures.
4. Metabolic Imbalances: Conditions such as low blood sugar, high fever, or electrolyte imbalances can trigger seizures.
5. Substance Abuse: The use of drugs or alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures.

Symptoms of Grand Mal Seizures

How can you tell that you're experiencing a grand mal seizures and not another type of seizure? They usually will present with the following symptoms:

1. Aura: Some people experience sensory changes, like strange smells or visual disturbances, before a seizure.
2. Tonic Phase: Loss of consciousness and body stiffening.
3. Clonic Phase: Rhythmic jerking of the limbs and face.
4. Postictal State: After the seizure, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue are common.

Diagnosis of Grand Mal Seizures

Do you or a loved one think they might be having tonic-clonic episodes? The first step is to talk to your doctor, who will go through several steps to determine a diagnosis:

1. Medical History: A thorough review of the patient’s medical history and seizure events.
2. Neurological Exam: Assessing motor abilities, sensory function, and reflexes.
3. Electroencephalogram (EEG): Measuring electrical activity in the brain to detect abnormalities.
4. Imaging Tests: MRI or CT scans to identify structural problems in the brain.

Treatment Options for Grand Mal Seizures

Don't lose hope! Thanks to the miracle of modern science, there are options to reduce or even eliminate the effects of a Grand Mal seizure:

1. Medication: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like valproate, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam can help control seizures.
2. Lifestyle Changes: Avoiding seizure triggers, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and reducing stress.
3. Surgery: In cases where seizures are not controlled by medication, surgical options like lobectomy.
4. Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Using therapy tools like the Rezzimax Tuner is an excellent drug-free option to manage seizures.
5. Ketogenic Diet: A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to reduce seizures in some patients.

Living with Grand Mal Seizures

Seizures can be very disruptive to your daily living, but there are ways to minimized the impact they have on your quality of life:

1. Regular Monitoring: Keeping track of seizure frequency, duration, and triggers.
2. Medication Adherence: Taking prescribed medications consistently and on time.
3. Support Systems: Seeking support from epilepsy support groups and mental health professionals.
4. Education and Awareness: Educating family and friends about seizure first aid to ensure safety during a seizure event.

Take Control of Your Seizures

Grand mal seizures can be life-altering, but with the right treatment and support, individuals can lead fulfilling lives. Early intervention and comprehensive care are key to managing grand mal seizures effectively.

Get started on managing your seizures today with our Rezzimax Rezzipes! The Head & Neck and Whole Body De-Stress Rezzipes are great places to start.