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Seizures correlating with menstrual cycle and solutions

Wed, 05/24/2017 - 22:19
Hey everyone! I have browsed this site many times but this is the first I have posted in your forum. Quick summery of my epilepsy experience: I was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 11 (right around puberty) paired with partial complex seizures. I am now 27 and although I was stable on medication for a while (approx 1 every 6 months), the past few years I have begun to have them more often, now up to 1-2 seizures every month. For a while now I have been tracking them along with my menstrual cycle, and they have appeared to be very consistent that I have one right around ovulation and/or my period. I am certain that is currently my main triggor. I tried some hormonal therapy (progesterone supplement) for a few months but that didn't seem to do anything. Besides trying various medications (including trileptol, keppra, lamotrigine and fycompa) I have also tried the MAD diet, and received a VNS implant a couple years ago, all of which have seemed to fail. Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone else out there has had seizures triggered around hormonal cycle and what you may have tried that has been successful. I appreciate anyone's input! Thank you! Heidi

Comments

Hi,There is a now a lot of

Submitted by lainejay on Thu, 2017-06-01 - 05:40
Hi,There is a now a lot of scientific evidence that hormones can be a trigger and is often related to menstral cycles. The length of your cycle can change as you get older.I downloaded an ovulation/fertility app which tracks your menstral cycle.  If nothing else it can give you a little warning about when to be extra carefull. 

Yes,  look up catamenial

Submitted by maxi4rudy on Tue, 2017-06-06 - 14:16
Yes,  look up catamenial epilepsy.  It is all triggered around your menstrual cycles.  All the best and good luck.

It increases around a period

Submitted by Misjoey101 on Sun, 2017-07-16 - 23:33
It increases around a period for me too. My doctors explained it like: my seizures increase because my hormones are going crazy. Since my first period, doctors have put me on birth control as a form of "hormonal control" and it has done a pretty good job at controlling things.

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