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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 Musicalgirl on Sun, 2009-08-02 - 01:52

I was on the pill for a few months in 2007 before I saw one of the medications had in it a medication I'm not to go anywhere near for it will only make my epilepsy worse and that was 'Phenolanolin'. If anyone is taking the medication Dilantin the medical name is 'phenytoin' don't go anywhere near 'phenolanolin' as it can cause major seizures mixing with all your other meds so make sure you check it over with your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor puts you on any birth contol pill make sure that you know whats in it first otherwise it could kill either or both you and your baby!!!!

Keep your eyes open!!!!

I was on the pill for a few months in 2007 before I saw one of the medications had in it a medication I'm not to go anywhere near for it will only make my epilepsy worse and that was 'Phenolanolin'. If anyone is taking the medication Dilantin the medical name is 'phenytoin' don't go anywhere near 'phenolanolin' as it can cause major seizures mixing with all your other meds so make sure you check it over with your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor puts you on any birth contol pill make sure that you know whats in it first otherwise it could kill either or both you and your baby!!!!

Keep your eyes open!!!!

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by Roxanne D on Fri, 2009-09-11 - 20:32

As soon as BC got out of my system my petit mals went down from 10 a month to 4 or less a month.  Added a new med with the others I was taking and they got under control now for four years.  I started taking BC when I was 19.  Had my first petit mal when I was 22.  Now i'm 37 with freedom finally. 

As soon as BC got out of my system my petit mals went down from 10 a month to 4 or less a month.  Added a new med with the others I was taking and they got under control now for four years.  I started taking BC when I was 19.  Had my first petit mal when I was 22.  Now i'm 37 with freedom finally. 

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by jewels87 on Fri, 2009-09-18 - 02:57
birth control can lower medication levels so monitor your levels and talk to your neurologist.

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