New - Are my seizures really that serious?
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UPDATED: Thu, 04/24/2008 - 2:14am
Theresia
PMT / PMS and seizures
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HI to the other women.
I would be very interested to know whether other women have increased risk of seizures around certain times of the menstrual cycle....and any ways that others try to manage this...
For me, I am much more likely to have a seizure in the week before I menstruate. This is partly because my sleep in poorer also at that time, and because I get more cranky, therefore more stressed etc.
I try to make sure that I don't put additional demands on myself at that time- just sleeping regularly, exercising and eating ok, as well as letting myself cry if I need to! My husband is fantastic and I can just let him know that I am 'off' and need a cry and he gives me a hug. he knows not to get too worried coz I will be ok :-) I have also found that taking fish oil tablets helps.
Just for info, I have temporal lobe epilepsy, with tonic clonic and little seizures, which I call "fuzzies" (buzzing in my ears, weird noises, feels like everyone is speaking another language). Obviously the area affected by my epilepsy is therefore associated with my language area. Have recently looked into surgery options but because of the location of my seizures, we are trying again with meds and lifestyle managements.
Look forward to hearing from others.
By Theresia at Thu, 04/24/2008 - 2:14am | 87 views | 11 comments
Topic: Women and epilepsy
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Name: Women and epilepsy
Since: Apr 10, 2008
About the Group:
Women can deal with epilepsy in a different aspect than men. When it comes to the start of puberty to when menopase occurs. There are a numerous amount of effects that women can have due to hormones and becaus of childbearing. Due to this I wanted to start a group to talk and get to know other people with the same seizure and if when it comes to certian subjects you can get a second opinion. Overall one will be able to converse and find out information that can help medically and socially.
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Recent Comments on this Discussion
I always have my grand mal seizures a week before, during, or a week after my cycle. The reason because I have bad cramps and I am so irritable, so i am really stress ( my bod is stressed). I have had seizures for 10 to 11 years and it has always been that way. My doctor has given me nothing before but my doctor has given me some ibuprofen but it hasn't helped. Nothing helps because I have some serious cramps and always had.
Hi Ladies. I am not a woman but a concerned Father of a 21year old daughter that has seen her seizure activity increase in the last 18 months. We have been the rounds of several neurologists and changing meds with increased dosages. I have spent several nights and multiple hours researching epilepsy,hormones, and also the link of foods to seizures. I would encourage all of you to consider going to www.dogtorj.com, www.neuroendocrinology.com, and www.raypeat.com. To summarize due to gluten, casein from from cow milk, soy and MSG we are bombarded with estrogen which creates or exacerbates the estrogen/progesterone imbalance that can trigger seizures. The dogtorj website is a vet that has stopped seizures in 100% of his animals by removing gluten and casein from their diets. We are having our daughter's hormones tested soon to check for imbalances and hope to clean that up and reduce her med level by addding hormone therapy. Ken
Does anyone know any particular drugs or treatment to combat Catamenials?
I have temporal lobe epilepsy due to a benign brain tumor that has been removed a year ago and now my siezures seem to fit the description of catamenial epilepsy - monthly painful partial seizures where I feel like i'm in another world, see things and feel like everyone speaks a different language.
I am used to having the seizures (it's been 10 years, I'm 28) but I am on keppra and lamictal and that doesn't work, although my grand mal seizures have stopped. I am also trying out herbs and accupuncture. I'm also growing out my hair :)
Oi! This stuff keeps you busy!!!
Hi
I had PMS, and bad Menopause, fuzzies, weird noises, It is much better now that I am on HRT's. My headaches and weird noises started in my mid-30's. Worst headaches until recently were from my mid-30's to when I went on HRT's. Everything became better then. I found myself staying away from sage. I also took Siberian Ginseng for headaches, and went on a high fat diet, many fish. I still was a grumpy bear with PMS. My husband was great about it - when it really became bad he took me to see my doctor. Hormones can affect your E, just find out what relaxes you.
CG
Hi theresa i had that same problem for a while why do u think we get them more often than when were not and by the way Im a new member and Im taking keppra 500mg twice a day and lamictal 200mg twice a day also thank you.
Sounds like it could be hormonal/Catamenial seizures. Usually they are real close to your cycle...like a couple of days before or after or during, but if you are consistent, might be the same thing. Try keeping track every month, there is info online about Catamenials, see what you think.
I've been there for several years. I know how crazy it can be.
Hello, Oh I have always noticed increased seizure activity when it my time of the month. As a matter of fact that is when my first seizure happened. Back when I was 13.
And Yes, the mood swings are horrible, as well as the headache I get. Unfortunately, mine can come the day before, during or on the last day. Lucky me!
Recently though, I have noticed that if I have sex, it gets worse. What's up with that?
It is making me crazy, and I am wondering if anybody has any answers. I try to avoid stress, and such, I guess I will just have to not fool around during that time. Because I am getting tired of being stuck on the couch, for a day or two, just to make certain I dont have a full blown seizure.
Anybody else have this problem?
I do have this same problem. I have seizures before, during or after my period as well.
It is very frustruating and scary because you don't know when you are going to be having one.
I am taking Lamictal and that wasnt working, so I suggested spoke to a gynocologist and asked them if they treat women with epilipsy and put them on hormones to regulate the seizures. The doctor explained that during your period your hormones are CRAZY up and down and that is what starts the seizures. The progesterone and the estrogen need to be even. The doctor said the birth control would do that.
They put me on Yazmin to even out my hormones, so far there has not been much difference. So last week I went to the doctor again and told him that I am still having seizures. He put me on a higher dose of birth control, Femcon Fe. Hopefully that works. It takes about 2 weeks to get into your blood.
I have an appt to see a woman neurologist who works specifically with women and epilepsy. Hopefully she can help more. Plus she is a woman and could probably sympathize more with what is going on.
Have you learned anything since you last wrote??
Hopefully those birth control pills help you out. Sounds like your new Neurologist could be awesome ! If she specializes with women who have epilepsy I would think she's familiar with Catamenials and things to do to treat them.
Good Luck !
Hi there, women any age can be affected that way. It can happen a few days before or after your cycle or during your cycle. It can happen to any woman, age does not matter. It happens to women who have never had epilepsy even if they have been pregnant. It's thanks to our hormones. It's called Catamenials and you can find info online. I was struggling with it when I was 40, that was 8 years ago now. It took a while to figure out how to take care of mine, some women can take care of theirs very easy, not all of them.
Hi I also have seizure activity/migranes the week before my period or the week after. my first seizure was when I started going through puberty at age 11! Although for me, it seems that my periods have gotten more painfull in the past few yrs, but my seizures have gotten more under controll! how weird is that! I would rather have a emotional and painful period, than a seizure, thats for sure! I have only had one gran mal seizure in the past 3 yrs! I just have warnings and aura's .