Catemenial Epilepsy and PCOS

[Amanda1019]

I have seizures tied to my menstrual cycle, diagnosed 5 years ago. 2 months ago I was also recently diagnosed with Poly cystic Ovary Syndrome. Something in my gut tells me this is connected but I am having a hard time getting my doctors to confer with each other. The neurologist doesn't really know much about gyno issues, and visa verse.

Has anyone else had experience with this combination? If so, any advise on to how to approach my doctors?

Thanks
Amanda

[Meetz1064]

know a few people with PCOS, but don't know that much about it other than than the temperature of the ovaries tend to run higher, causing the eggs to not be viable.

I don't know how the hormone end of it works though for PCOS--though when you're talking about E, you have to carefully balance one hormone against the other, as one has anti-convulsant properties (progesterone), and the other (estrogen) does not.

Sometimes, ya gotta knock the doctors' heads together, and literally carry notes back and forth, as well as the different test results you get each time you go to a different doctor.

Good luck and welcome to CWE!! I'm sure you're going to like it here. Make sure you check out the Kitchen and Library for lots of information and the Padded Room for whenever you need to vent--trust me, we all need to do that now and again.....

Take care!!!

Meetz

[Nakamova]

Hi Amanda --

Below is a link where they explain the possible connections between PCOS and epilepsy:

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

[Rae1889]

YES! I have both and have recently been diagnosed with E, and have had PCOS since I was about 14. Now I dont know about you but during that time of the month, it can be painful cramps, and heavy bleeding. *sorry guys, that's a bit TMI but its information either way*

Also, the cysts put pressure on the ovaries etc, and casue over release of hormones. specifically lower levels of progesterone resulting in cysts, and higher levels of estrogen reulting in heavy bleeding.

Progesterone is a natural anti-convulsant and Estrogene is the body's natural Pro-convulsant. So during that time of the month when levels spike and drop, more seizures result.

[RobinN]

I have seizures tied to my menstrual cycle, diagnosed 5 years ago. 2 months ago I was also recently diagnosed with Poly cystic Ovary Syndrome. Something in my gut tells me this is connected but I am having a hard time getting my doctors to confer with each other. The neurologist doesn't really know much about gyno issues, and visa verse.

Has anyone else had experience with this combination? If so, any advise on to how to approach my doctors?

Thanks
Amanda

Not had these issues, but certainly the problem of the neurologist not knowing about other issues, or gyn, or endo, knowing anything about neurology. Had to learn to help my daughter from personal research online. There is a specialist at USC that we see that has womens issues as her specialty. Problem is she does not have much to offer other than meds and surgery. She was supportive however when I tried alternative treatments on my daughter. She remains supportive when she sees the improvement. However has nothing more to offer other than the new and improved blue pill.

If you want some names PM me.