Seizures during the menstrual cycle

[RobinN]

I agree with you KAM.
I was told by Rebecca's neurologist that certain anti-epileptic drug's increase in strength during the TOM, while others decrease. I guess even that could change per individual as well.

[KAM]

My only remaining goal with "E" is to get this answer, to get it confirmed with the Medical Board. I wish I knew now what was speculation then; it was my period . I gave up a good portion of my temporal lobe to get rid of seizures only to find out my memory is for crap, and maybe every answer I have an answer for is in a jar in Miami, if you feel the period is your cause, don't let anyone tell you different. Most important, don't let them operate!

[lovies10323]

This is what I seriously believe is my main problem! Horomones! If I look back at allllll the times I "called/emailed in" at my job, I can bet that It was within two weeks before/during my period! That is when I have the most seizures, panic attacks, ect.., Today was a really good day guys! I have no memory of anything I did all morning, but today was one of the best days! I can't sleep now, but it was still a good day! No auras, no staring, no passing out, good blood glucose levels! A good, good day!

[skillefer]

..that I'm not the only one. I have a 25 day cycle, and I'm guaranteed to have a seizure within a week of my period. Now the weird thing is, I went from having a 7 day period in my 20's to a 2 day period when I hit 36. My doc just shrugs and says, "It doesn't matter how long it is, it just matters that you have it." I'm wondering if that's not from using Depo Provera in my early 20's. Oh well. At least I'm not alone. And you know what? In a weird way, that's really comforting.

[RobinN]

Get some hormonal tests done. Estrogen excites the brain. Progesterone calms the brain.
I had a monthly hormonal migraines for 30 yrs that was "cured" when I began taking magnesium, COQ10, and got my hormones balanced again.
Oh... the only other time I did not have migraines was when I was pregnant.

[skillefer]

*chuckle* they did hormone tests and said I was just fine.......Who knows...maybe I'm just getting ready for menopause?

[RobinN]

I had one doctor that looked at me and said of course you are perimenopausal. Then I went to a doctor that specializes in hormones, and he did some specialized blood work and said, "Nope... not yet." So I use a bio identical hormone and life is a lot better. I think I am older than you are. Rebecca had the same blood test taken, and we did an ovulation test (thermometer chart) and she was not producing progesterone. She is also on bio identical progesterone. She does not have seizures centered around her cycle anymore if she is careful about using the cream.

[brain]

Hi, I'm "Premium Irregular" (that should have
been my User ID), and majority of the seizures
that strikes is very much right before the cycle
begins. Even though I do have a medical history
but back in the past that wasn't looked upon
until recently, and since part of 06 and the
entire 07 - they've been looking at it closely
and comparing it with the past and seeing the
pattern. They have not yet been able to pin-
point the reason; except that it strikes the
hardest during Fall (Autumn) and Winter; like
a Florida "Hurricane Season" - and now are
believing the natural sunlight also has an
effect as well on the cycle phase. We will
have to see how 2008 cycle looks like. It is
interesting in a lot of ways but they are not
sure why but looking at the past and current
they can see it all now.

It does not have anything to do with Holidays
or Stress for it my "Hurricane Season" starts
from Aug/Sept - Feb/Mar and has the peak
time during that same time around just around
the Holidays or after it. It is also the same time
when I can go for long stretches before my
next cycle begins (for example in 2007, my
last cycle was in Oct and went 53 days before
the next one started in Dec and it triggered
everything; and it was also the "Peak" of the
season).

During the off-peak season, the seizures
are typically very mild or I would experience
auras without any seizures or none at all.
And if I had a seizure, it was usually provoked:
such as lack of sleep, overly tired, etc.

Good news is the Doctors are finally getting to
the bottom line of it all.

[Axa]

Dear Bunkers1,

>Would that be catamenial epilepsy or would you not know that?

From what I know epilepsy is catamenial only if your seizures ALWAYS come during your period. So if your seizures are only more frequent and/or stronger during the period, this is not a catamenial epilepsy (it's just like the other problems who tend to be more explicit during the period).
For epilepsy to count as catamenial, this link should be extremely strong: for example, I've never ever had an seizure without having my period too.