Side-effects & preganacy - Epilepsy Message Board

namrata · 02-09-2004, 07:22 PM

Hello,
I am 18 yrs old(gender:female). Have been suffering from sleep epilepsy(i get an attack only if my sleep is interrupted abruptly) since the age of 13 yrs. What cud the REASON of this SUDDEN OCCURENCE of the disease be?
Have been taking Sodium valproate(200mg) since the time i got one major attack when i was 15. Earlier attacks were minor. HOW LONG would it take to cure the disease?
Does the drug cause HORMONAL IMBALANCE and thus cause irregular menses? Does it affect the pitutary gland? Can a female consuming sodium valproate get PREGNANT and deliver a NORMAL CHILD?

Please, please let me know.

A worried friend.

angie75 · 02-09-2004, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namrata

Hello,
I am 18 yrs old(gender:female). Have been suffering from sleep epilepsy(i get an attack only if my sleep is interrupted abruptly) since the age of 13 yrs. What cud the REASON of this SUDDEN OCCURENCE of the disease be?
Have been taking Sodium valproate(200mg) since the time i got one major attack when i was 15. Earlier attacks were minor. HOW LONG would it take to cure the disease?
Does the drug cause HORMONAL IMBALANCE and thus cause irregular menses? Does it affect the pitutary gland? Can a female consuming sodium valproate get PREGNANT and deliver a NORMAL CHILD?

Please, please let me know.

A worried friend.

I only have a very generic partial answer to your question. As to all the why?, I don't know. I would ask a neuro. As for pregnancy, for many seizure disorders, they will switch you to phenobarbitol because some docs believe it is safest for the baby (that's what I was on when pregnant).

Angie

MandiX · 02-10-2004, 05:59 AM

I would definately ask your neuro. I know i'm on carabtrol and that's a class D...very dangerous to be pregnant with. I'm being switched to Lamictal in May because its better for woman to be on. You are 18 though, I hope you aren't interested in getting pregnant quite yet. I would ask my neurologist next time you visit.

crystalw · 02-10-2004, 06:39 AM

I'm sorry I don't have any answers to the medical questions. I'm pretty new to this. It sounds to me like you are late and concerned. For that I send "hugs" your way. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Go see your doctor A.S.A.P. there are a lot of things that can mess up your cycle. Stress being the biggest factor, illness and others that are not as nice like std's. Or, a beautifuly baby, that ready or not...they come when they want. I'm sure you are scared, my prayers are with you...God loves you and He promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. :-) He also says He won't allow more than we can handle. Crystal

Rebecca2 · 02-11-2004, 07:01 PM

I'm not exactly sure of what you are experiencing, but one thing I learned just from taking a variety of anti-seizure meds... is that some anti-seizure meds can lower the effects of birth control. So I think that some doctor's increase the dosage of birth control to counteract this- some of my doctors had told me to use condoms while I WAS taking certain meds (antibiotics also do this) I also think asking your neurologist these questions would help eliviate some of your worries.
Good luck
-Becca