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Advice Appreciated - Hormone Fluctuations Due to Medication
Tue, 04/18/2017 - 13:26Topic: Women With Epilepsy
Hello,
I'm hoping for some advice.
I was diagnosed with grand mal seizures in 2007. I had a grand mal seizure 4 years prior to that, but it went undiagnosed. Since 2007 I've been on Tegretol XR and have 'mostly' been seizure free with a few breakthrough seizures. Because of a shortage, my medicine has been on back order. I'm now taking a combination of Tegretol XR (200 mg. morning and night) and Carbatrol ER (100 mg. morning and night) for a total of 600 mg. a day. Here's my dilemma. I'm 50 years old and have been in menopause for over 2 years. Since taking the Carbatrol the last 30 days, my hormones have suddenly 'jump-started'. After over 2 years, I began having PMS symptoms and had a light period this month. The only good news is the hot flashes have stopped!
I am concerned about the sudden onset of hormone fluctuations. I do not want this to cause an uptick in seizure activity. I notified my doctor but she kind of dismissed it and told me to contact my OB/GYN stating she wasn't sure if it was because of my medication or my age. However, I know that seizure medication can cause hormone issues and this is too coincidental. I no longer have a dedicated neurologist because my HMO has lost two of their three neurologists and so I'm dealing with my normal M.D.
Any advice or thoughts? I'd love to hear if anyone has experienced any similar situations, etc.
Thank you!
Comments
Also understand that
Submitted by just_joe on Sat, 2017-04-22 - 10:48
Also understand that medications for one issue can counter medications for another. Which is why all your doctors need to know all the medications you are taking. That also includes over the counter medications
Hi! Completely different
Submitted by mmepps on Mon, 2017-05-15 - 20:58
Hi! Completely different stage of life & hormones, but yes - the meds and treatment can completely interact with one another. It's well known that some of the AEDs interact with birth control... which is just a way of changing your own hormones. When I changed from oral contraceptive to copper IUD while on Lamictal I had no problems. Added in Keppra to aid in controlling auras and then completely stopped having periods at 34 BUT with some of the side effects from Keppra I had to go back to taking oral birth control to maintain hormones that were thrown off by Keppra (major emotional swings) even though the pill wasn't my contraceptive. I broke down on the couch one day and just called both my OBGYN and neuro separately and told them they had to get together and figure something out because I could not live like that. That's when I added the pill back in to keep hormones steady, and it worked. As I get older though and worry about increased possibility of strokes (the pill over age 35) I try to come off of the pill to see if I can handle the drug combo... it's still rough, but no tonic-clonic seizures. Good luck, and don't let them make you feel like you're crazy. Make them take you seriously. Keep a diary of any symptoms - you may find that some match up with certain parts of your cycle if you're getting one again.
If your neurologist was in
Submitted by just_joe on Tue, 2017-04-18 - 21:59
If your neurologist was in practice with the others then they should be able to take you in. Especially if your files are already in the office. Oh and just so you'll know it the office renews your prescription so someone there is working for you