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Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Fri, 02/22/2008 - 17:02

Now, I know some of you may think this is strange, but here goes:

I'm 21 and have had only 2 seizures in my life. One in April of last year and the other in August.  Both were after being on birth control (tri-cyclen lo, to be exact) for 3 months. I stopped taking my birth control after my seizure in April, but I didn't really think anything of it. I wasn't seeing anyone at the time so I just didn't really want it in my system. I started taking my birth control again in June after I met a new guy. After I had the seizure in August (late August) I started to think maybe it was caused by my birth control. The neurologist that was assigned to me said that it was entirely 100% impossible, but my family physician told me there was always a chance. 

I have been completely off my birth control since that last seizure and have not been taking any medications either. I feel a lot healthier and I haven't had a single problem since then, but the neurologist still will not listen to my input about why I think this happened.

I sat down with one of my girl friends that also has epilepsy and told her what was going on. She told me that the same thing happened to her when she started taking the pill but that none of the neurologists here believed her. She went to a husband and wife team in Quebec (way far away) and they told her that it was entirely possible that it was her birth control that caused it.

Anyways, has this happened to anyone else? 

Comments

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by hannahdiaz on Sat, 2008-02-23 - 06:22

hi kerri i was taking birth control pills when i had a grand mal seizure i started taking the birth control in february and had my seizure in may then 3 weeks later i had another seizure.

i read on the birth conrtol instru that seizures is a side effect so i imeediantly stoped taking them.that was in 2001 and although im on lamictal to control seizures i still havent taken anymore birth control pills and never will in the future.

i would say my epilepsy is due to or linked to hormones as i was had my first seizure after my period finished and then 3 weeks later i had another seizure and after the seizure i went to the toilet and there i had my period so i think its linkedto my hormones.

if i was you i would stop birth controls completly

 

hi kerri i was taking birth control pills when i had a grand mal seizure i started taking the birth control in february and had my seizure in may then 3 weeks later i had another seizure.

i read on the birth conrtol instru that seizures is a side effect so i imeediantly stoped taking them.that was in 2001 and although im on lamictal to control seizures i still havent taken anymore birth control pills and never will in the future.

i would say my epilepsy is due to or linked to hormones as i was had my first seizure after my period finished and then 3 weeks later i had another seizure and after the seizure i went to the toilet and there i had my period so i think its linkedto my hormones.

if i was you i would stop birth controls completly

 

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by KerriB on Sun, 2008-02-24 - 19:22

Thank you for replying. I just wanted to know if there were more people out there that had had something like this happen. Both of my seizures were grand mal.  And lasted around 10 minutes a piece.

I have completely stopped the pill since august. 

thanks again 

Thank you for replying. I just wanted to know if there were more people out there that had had something like this happen. Both of my seizures were grand mal.  And lasted around 10 minutes a piece.

I have completely stopped the pill since august. 

thanks again 

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by DAA on Sun, 2008-04-20 - 14:11

My 17 year old daughter experienced her first seizure last week and I have tons of questions.  She had been on the pill for 3 1/2 weeks (Nortrel).  There were other variables, she was on her senior class trip, was awake all night, flew for the first time in years (was nervous about it), hadn't eaten much, got off the plane in FL and had grand mal seizure 15 minutes later.  She was hospitalized and had an extensive workup including EEG that shows a risk for further seizures.  One of the doctors on the team mentioned a possible connection between the pill and the seizure, but others felt it was not significant.  Actually, another doctor thought she should remain on the pill!  We are seeing a neurologist tomorrow, and I am anxious to hear what she has to say.  My pharmacist said "anything is possible".  Would love to hear experiences of others.

My 17 year old daughter experienced her first seizure last week and I have tons of questions.  She had been on the pill for 3 1/2 weeks (Nortrel).  There were other variables, she was on her senior class trip, was awake all night, flew for the first time in years (was nervous about it), hadn't eaten much, got off the plane in FL and had grand mal seizure 15 minutes later.  She was hospitalized and had an extensive workup including EEG that shows a risk for further seizures.  One of the doctors on the team mentioned a possible connection between the pill and the seizure, but others felt it was not significant.  Actually, another doctor thought she should remain on the pill!  We are seeing a neurologist tomorrow, and I am anxious to hear what she has to say.  My pharmacist said "anything is possible".  Would love to hear experiences of others.

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