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PCOS caused by Depakote?

Fri, 01/21/2005 - 11:05
Topic: Women With Epilepsy
Hi: I'm new to this board. I have been taking Depakote for JME since I was 19 (I'm now 34). My husband and I have been trying to conceive for about a year now. I recently found out from by ob/gyn that my hormone levels are out of whack (specifically, my testosterone and prolactin levels are way higher than normal and my progesterone level is too low.). Through my online searches I have discovered some articles linking Depakote/epilepsy to PCOS. I'm looking for other women who may be experiencing the same thing. Do the PCOS symptoms go away when you stop taking Depakote? How did you get diagnosed (by ob/gyn, neuro, other dr?). I'm still looking for answers and any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

Comments

RE: PCOS caused by Depakote?

Submitted by jennamay on Fri, 2005-01-21 - 11:05

Here are a few links you may find useful:

http://www.epilepsy.com/info/women_pcos.html

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/social_romantic.html

http://www.psycheducation.org/hormones/Insulin/polycystic.htm

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20021015/1489.html

 

Best Wishes,

Epilepsy.com Editor

Re: PCOS caused by Depakote?

Submitted by bjoy on Thu, 2006-09-21 - 06:53
Hi I know you posted this a long time ago, but I'm relatively new to this website and just found this...Your scenario sounds just like mine. I was diagnosed with JME when I was 16. Started Depakote therapy, 750 mgs a day, and am now 27. Good news is I've had NO SEIZURES!!!! Bad news is the same as yours. Hormones way out of whack. Testosterone way up, progesterone/estrogen way low. No period for over a year!!!! So my gyno started me on aldactone, a diuretic, to "flush" my body of extra testosterone...I have been taking 200 mgs a day of it for 2 years now and I just got my blood tests back. My hormones have all evened out. Testosterone is normal, DHEA, all those, and my female hormones are where they should be too. I'm in the middle of switching over to Keppra because of the effects of depakote. I don't have PCOS, but the depakote has definitely messed with my ovaries, it's hard on your liver, it has made me gain about 15 pounds, and I feel "toxic" from it. I'm now in the middle of switching over to Keppra, because eventually I'd like to have a family too, and depakote really isn't the drug of choice for women because of this reason. Hope this helps...keep in touch!!!!

Re: PCOS caused by Depakote?

Submitted by staciem on Mon, 2006-09-25 - 22:44
(((HUGS))) I don't really have any advice as far as whether or not the PCOS will get better once you are off of the Depakote. However, I have PCOS too. I got mine the old fashioned way (bad genes I guess) and have never been on Depakote. I am 26 and was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 21, after having gained 80 pds in 18 months, quit having periods, and started having other problems. I would highly suggest checking out www.soulcysters.com for tons of info on PCOS. I know there are members over there that have PCOS caused by Depakote. You will find a wealth of resources over there about everything related to PCOS, including help with TTC issues. Stacie :-)

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