A Question For All You Girls - Epilepsy Message Board

shiqueen · 08-14-2006, 12:57 PM

Ive been on dilantin for 23 years to control GM's(since i was 17).I only seem
to have problems around the time of my period.I get myoclonic jerks that
will lead to a GM if i dont take more medicene.So i've started to take 100mg
more starting a couple days before my period alternating days in between.This
seems to work for me.My question is what is the difference between catamenial epilepsy and seizures and how is it diagnosed.also what kind of
medication are you treating it with.If anyone has anyone info on this i'd
be very interested in hearing from you. thanks, shiqueen

neurowreck · 08-14-2006, 05:06 PM

epilepsy= more than one seizure

diagnosed with information, and awareness of timing of seizures with cycle.

I don't have this, so don't know what meds are used, but it probably depends on the type of seizures.....

SentenceDoing · 08-16-2006, 02:32 PM

I have the same kind of epilepsy as you- it's affected by my hormones. I actually just started birth control pills (in addition to my Tegretol and Keppra) to even out my hormones, and see if this helps reduce my auras (I've only started this 4 days ago, so I don't really know if it's working yet.

)... But I was the one to suggest this to my doctor. He never really suggested I do anything else to help me around those times of the month...but once I suggested The Pill, he said I could try it to see if it works. Maybe you could give this a try.
I'm surprised that changing the amt of meds you take once a month doesn't affect you at other times.

shiqueen · 08-17-2006, 10:29 AM

neurowreck,
thanks for your reply; ive been trying to do some research on
this but there seems to be very little info available.my neuro doesnt like
to offer any info-just wants me to take the meds & be quiet.needless to
say i've started looking for a new one.
thanks,
shiqueen

shiqueen · 08-17-2006, 10:57 AM

sentence doing,
it's great to know theres someone else that has the same type of epilepsy i have.at least its what i think i have.when i was 17 and had my first seizure they put me on dilantin and told me i'd probably have to take it the rest of my life.that was it.it wasnt until 5 yrs ago my neuro weaned me off of dilantin since i was seizure free for 7 yrs after a month i had a seizure and went back on dilantin.since then ive realized that i get these myoclonic jerks around my period.the neuros never told me this could be a time that i was predisposed to having a seizure. they just want me to take the medicene and not ask questions.
ive never been on the pill as i was told the dilantin would make it ineffective as birth control.however thats not an issue with me anymore.let me know how your making out with that! also what kind of auras do you have. i only get a myoclonic jerk.thats it! ive heard of people having auras and didnt know what they were.feels like ive been living under a rock all these years!these threads have really enlightened me on epilepsy and the different types that people experience.thanks for your info.