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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 sout2884 on Fri, 2010-01-15 - 14:37
I'm 19 years old and had my first and only grand mal seizure on Monday. I was rushed to the ER, where I woke up. They've taken a cat scan and EEG and I go in for my MRI in a few hours. The EEG showed a "seizure spike" in my left hemisphere, but my neurologist didn't explain any further what that meant. She just said that I now need an MRI and told me I need ot be on LAMICTAL for a year. I asked if my BC could've played a factor and she left it open ended. I have been taking BC for years now, but recently missed starting a pack on time at the end of my menstral cycle. I took the adivce of my doctor and took 2 BC pills at once, it made me violently ill all night Saturday and into Sunday morning. I spent all Sunday trying to recoup. I did NOT take 2 pills Sunday as the doctor had advised me on Saturday for obvious reasons. I also took a motrin at the recommendation of the clinic for a fever I couldn't quite get over. I had started to feel a little better by bed, but had my seizure first thing in the morning Monday. I've read of people having seizures in their sleep but I don't know if i woke up to go to the bathroom and THEN seized or was sleeping. My neurologist didn't mention me being asleep though. Just today I saw a commercial talking about motrin and some tylenol products being recalled and associated with seizures and strokes AS WELL AS several posts regarding BC and stopping doing the same. I was wondering if anyone else had also taken Motrin by any chance? Also, has anyone ever had just ONE solidary grand mal incident because my neurologist has yet to mention having a seizure disorder to me but wants me on anitseizure meds for a full year. Plus, I've heard there are long term side effects to taking these meds as well as the fact that you have to carefully weign yourself off both of which make me hesitant to even take them. I guess I put that out there because if there is a chance that this was an isolated incident caused by my BC then I shouldn't have to take the anti-seizure right??

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by Sicilianna on Sat, 2008-02-23 - 08:50

I can't even begin to convey my personal beliefs about chemical artificial birth control and its harmful impact on the women in our society. This really isn't the place for such a discussion, but I'm glad that you've recognized this may well be a trigger for seizure activity.

It's well known that rises and falls in estrogen levels can and do come into play when it comes to seizures. Personally, I would be very wary of anyone who told me that it is "impossible" for chemical birth control to factor in.

Be safe,

Anna

"...Only God never changes." St. Theresa of Avila

I can't even begin to convey my personal beliefs about chemical artificial birth control and its harmful impact on the women in our society. This really isn't the place for such a discussion, but I'm glad that you've recognized this may well be a trigger for seizure activity.

It's well known that rises and falls in estrogen levels can and do come into play when it comes to seizures. Personally, I would be very wary of anyone who told me that it is "impossible" for chemical birth control to factor in.

Be safe,

Anna

"...Only God never changes." St. Theresa of Avila

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by KerriB on Mon, 2008-02-25 - 09:42
I know what you mean. My neurologist told me it was impossible, I walked out of his office, looked at my mom and told her I needed a new doctor. I've got an appointment with a new neurologist in June and I'll see what her outlook on this is.

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