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seizures with periods

Tue, 08/16/2005 - 08:08
Had a few questions and didn't know if anyone could help.  Back in March I began taking Dexatrim diet pills.  I was fine for about 10 days and when I got my period, I had my first 2 seizures.  The first one happened around noon, my husband was home and he called for an ambulance.  They took me to the hospital, ran tests and discharged me around 5:30.  I came home and pretty much went to bed.  Around 1:00 am I had another seizure, my husband took me back to the hospital and they admitted me.  I was there for 2 days and they ran all kinds of tests.  Everything came back ok and the neurologist blamed the pills.  I didn't have any more seizures until last Tuesday night.  We went to an amusement park, I took a Dramimine around 11am.  We came home, I got my period, went to bed and around 5:30 am I had another seizure.  I called my doctor and the neurologist.  My doctor said to get the 6-hour EEG done.  I have it scheduled.  My neurologist called me last night and told me to get an EEG and MRI scheduled ASAP.  I am  in the process right now.  Didn't know if anyone had any insight.  I am a 36 year old woman, mother of 2 small children who never had any problems until March.  Thanks for any insight.

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: seizures with periods

Submitted by dbmomma on Tue, 2007-05-29 - 13:09
I am 47 years, I started having seizures three years ago the result of having Neurocysticercosis. That is I had a parasite (in larve state)that traveled up into my brain. I started having EXTREME head pain, disorientation, loss of muscle control...the list goes on. Any way landed in ER and within 30 minutes had a Grand mal, then seizured for 2 days straight every 5-15 mins. Was in Neuro-intensive care for 14 days. With medication it was under control. I was on Tegretol for a year, no more seizures after leaving the hospital. Suggested for my condition is 1-3 yrs. on medication. My neurolgist and I agreed for me to go off. Three years being seizure free..then blamo another Grand mal, another 8 days in the hospital. I have noticed that both times leading up to the seizures it was at the time of my period. A couple of days ago I started to have what I think were partial seizures, nausiated, metal tast in my mouth, dizzy, the blank stares. Feelings that are hard to desribe. I had my period two weeks ago, (get them every 23-26 days!) today I had break through bleeding. I guess all signs of being perimenopausal. But I think the change in hormones are effecting me seizure wise. This time around everything feels different, it was harder adjusting to the medication. This time I have felt the partials. Before (3 yrs. ago) after recovering from the whole ordeal, I had no more seizures. I felt nothing. So maybe periods, being perimenopausal REALLY does effect life with seizures! I am greatful to have this forum to turn to, I don't feel like..."is this all in my head?!" oh, that sounds funny! But obviously some of you know what I mean. Are there more women out there who can identify with all or some of this?

Re: Re: seizures with periods

Submitted by txrhb1 on Sat, 2006-08-05 - 23:40
Hi Katie, It sounds like you might have a couple of things that could be contributing to the seizures. I have heard of people having seizures after taking diet pills. I also know that some antihistamines can lower your threshold for seizures. Dramamine is an antihistamine I think. Also, it is not uncommon for women to have seizures only around the time of their menstrual cycles. I'm glad your neuro is following up, and not just discounting your experiences. Good luck, and keep us posted on how you are doing, okay? ((( Best of luck & hugs ))), Barbie *************************************** "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo

I can't comment on the diet

Submitted by Believe on Sun, 2007-06-17 - 13:55
I can't comment on the diet pills, however the only two seizures I have had when I have lost consciousness have been when I was on my period. Now I don't know if this was coincidence or related, just thought I would mention it. Have to say though, now that I was diagnosed with seizures, it does make me worry a bit more each month!

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