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Epilepsy and Periods

Fri, 05/06/2016 - 00:43
Hi there, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy when I was 12. That was just a few months after I started menstruating. I'm now 26 and the past 8 months I have been treating my epilepsy without any medication and working toward being seizure free. So far I can't go 9 days without some myoclonus. What I noticed though, is that my seizures activity increases right along with PMS-- aka just a few days before my menstrual cycle starts. In fact what I've learned that I am most seizure prone a few days before my period, a little bit during, and then again for a few days afterward. While this is a great thing to learn and anticipate, it does still mean that I am seizure prone for half the month, every month. I want that time to shrink. Has anyone noticed this in their experience? Does anyone have suggestions as to how to treat it? Do you have information on the impact of epilepsy and hormones or menstruation? Additionally, is there any advice out there on treating epilepsy without heavy drugs or surgery. I've medicated for ten years and suffered incessantly from a variety of adverse side effects. Because of that I've committed this year to see if I can treat my epilepsy in more holistic ways. My cycle seem to be my biggest obstacle at the moment - I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks

Comments

Yes, that's what happens to

Submitted by cbcreichelt@yahoo.com on Mon, 2016-06-13 - 17:12
Yes, that's what happens to me.  Just recently my dr then said to up my dosage a few days before, during and a few days after my cycle.

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