Women: Birth Control (for endometriosis) and AEDs

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Garbo

Garbo

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Hello All!

I have endometriosis, which causes (for me) horrible, horrible cramps and some other side effects-- I actually don't sleep at night because the pain is so debilitating and nothing works anymore. I tried the Depo shot, but I hated it so much (it made me anxious and I didn't sleep for two weeks)! I was wondering if anyone knows what birth control is effective and can be taken with AEDs. I'm going to try and get into the on-campus OBGYN.

For reference, I take 200 mg of Zonegran twice a day and 100 mg of Topamax twice a day.
 
I know Tegretol and hormonal BC don't mix well if you are actually counting on the BC for not getting pregnant. I don't know about effectiveness for endometriosis.
 
Okay. Yeah, even when I've been in long-term relationships, we used other methods because my exes understood the medication issue. I actually don't know a lot about BC because I've heard nothing but horror stories about it (stroke and what not), but I need something to stop the ovulation process.
 
I take oxcarmazapine and I'm on low dose Tri-cyclen ocp. My gynecologist was the one that told me the aed lowers the effectiveness of it. Have you considered the patch or IUD? I was on the patch and liked it but my insurance switched and the copay shot up to $80.
 
walkerjm3 said:
I take oxcarmazapine and I'm on low dose Tri-cyclen ocp. My gynecologist was the one that told me the aed lowers the effectiveness of it. Have you considered the patch or IUD? I was on the patch and liked it but my insurance switched and the copay shot up to $80.
Click to expand...

I'm a little bit scared of anything that's somewhat "permanent." I had such a bad reaction to the Depo shot and the nurse at the health center said to me that I just had to "wait it out." Whereas I feel like with pills, I can stop them. You know? But your response helped me a lot! Thanks! :)
 
BC continues to work for cramps - your Doctor should know which one - and it is always good to uses an alternative method....
 
IUD has worked fine for me. No conflicts with AEDs, no pain, no worry. (And no periods!).
 
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