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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 saintzk123 on Sun, 2011-08-07 - 18:20
can anyone who has had this happen to them tell me are you smokers or were when u took your pills? my sister in law has seizures just out of the blue. now after running into this blog think it is attributed to her tricyclen, she is going to switch to another but i also read about how progestron is better and less risks then the estrogen sister version. coincidentally i ran into the fact the progestron products are more safe for smokers and that smoking while on estrogen products causes all sorts of clotting and stroke issues. so i wondered how many of u are smokers taking a estrogen pill. im trying to see if it is connected. thanks

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by kattatstrophe on Mon, 2011-08-08 - 18:37
When I first started my epilepsy medication soon after being diagnosed, I smoked occasionally. I was urged strongly by both my neuro & gyno to stop as they sound it would complicate things more for me in both ways. I don't know much about whether or not it can directly affect BC & seizures but I do know a little about the hormonal influences in epilepsy. I have been working for a year or so to try and figure out the best regimen & tried both estrogen based BC & progesterone therapy. It is true that estrogen has seizure aggrivation properties while progesterone tends to help suppress them. When I was on my BC I found that I had seizures more frequently, especially right before my period. This was opposite from my progesterone therapy because when taking it during my CD 14-28 (the week before my period) I found that made everything better. When I take my progesterone at night, I sleep without seizure activity. I tend to have seizures mostly at night & I felt such relief when taking my progesterone. The only thing I will say is that you have to work with your doctors together (neuro & gyno) to try and figure out the best dosage for you. Progesterone can help hinder seizures but on the flip side, when your body is withdrawing from the progesterone you can have seizure activity. There are different ways to take progesterone as well as progesterone based BC & you may be able to take a different dosage of progesterone that gradually weans you off of it instead of cuts you off cold turkey during your AF cycle. I hope that makes sense & helps you some!!

Re: Can seizures be caused by birth control?

Submitted by janners on Sun, 2011-08-14 - 01:19
I was sixteen when I began birth control. I was a good girl, and my parents did not know I was on birth control. I became like a zombie, sleeping thru school, my grades slipped, and I struggled to keep up. I was drinking and smoking occasionally with my older boyfriend (now my hubby and great dad of 3!) I stopped birth control and began having aura's, which I called "Deja vue things" for a few years. I became pregnant with my son, and never felt better! (progesterone) Before that I was fortunate enough to have some great education about hormone imbalances, and progesterone supplements. After my son weaned, and my period commenced, it was time to go back to work. After a year of sleep deprivation, a long day without eating enough, and major stress I had my first tonic clonic seizure January of 2002. The lovely neuro said that I would not be allowed to drive, should not bathe my baby, and gave me a prescription which he said I would likely need the rest of my life. After a few similar neurologists, I was termed a difficult, but pleasant, patient, and found a neuro who would listen. I reacted to topamax, and tegretol, (my 2nd neuro said it was me causing the reactions) I finally was put on frisium (clobazam) and it seemed to help, although I was very frustrated with the side effects. Neurologists threatened taking my babies after I insisted AED were worse than seizures. After much education, I realized the dragon I was now wed to. It has been a long seven years, and I am still on clobazam. My refractory aura's happen on ovulation day, and sometimes first day of period. I tried to wean off the meds, but the withdrawal was too much. My current neuro says the meds can't cause seizure's, while the meds themselves say that w/drawal symptoms are seizures and anxiety. I want off my medication. Acupuncture helps a lot, and I am now trying "Vitex" which is a hormone balancing herbal tincture. I feel very strongly ( as does my husband and mother) that birth control was the cause of my seizure disorder. I so wish that there was a support, neurologist/endocrinologist therapy available. I really value all of the stories here, and am sorry that others have experienced what I have. I do not want to be addicted to an AED. Of course we know that when a big seizure hits, I would do anything to prevent another. I have three beautiful healthy children, and I want get to the bottom of this. I plan to move to the UBC neurosciences clinic , does anyone have any experience there. I will also ask to consult an endocrinologist. The other thing I will do is commence a progesterone friendly diet. Avoid birth control, alcohol, cigarettes, soy, red meat, and any other extremely processed food. Excercise ( I have been running) and BREATHE. Try biofeedback, acupuncture, and consult a naturopath. They could be your gateway to relief. All synthetic hormones will play with your seizure threshold. This has been a lot of work, but I am determined to experience life without seizures, and with out meds. Blessings to you all.

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