Catamenial Epilepsy and Keppra

Catamenial epilepsy is 100% hormonal-related. http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/catamenial_pattern... And while Keppra is made for epileptic seizures, it doesn't address the cause, and I'm not sure the side effects are worth it. http://www.rxlist.com/keppra-drug.htm

Have you had your hormones checked? There is a really good hormone doctor in Austin named Dr. Tenesha Weine http://www.drteneshaweine.com/hormones/saliva.php. Since the CAUSE of your problem is hormonal imbalance, that is where I would recommend you start.

Hi L.!

I have lived with simple partial seizures in my epilepsy for 10 yrs. I know so much about epilepsy and medications, espically Keppra, but it would take forever to type it all here. I would love to talk to you and answer any questions that you might have. If you are not comfortable with that then I am completely fine with sending you a message here. Let me know.

God Bless,
S.

I had a seizure on March 17 with no history of any type of seizure disorder. The doctor could have my license revoked. Instead, he put me on Keppra. I don't really like the medicine, but it gets better after the first month. If this is what I need to do to care for my family and keep my drivers license, then I will follow the doctors instructions. I wouldn't want that to happen to me when I was driving and hurt someone!!

Okay, you said anyting.. and I usually get alot of crazy looks for this, but at 1 1/2 my son started having seizures. Over the course of a year, they increased to 10 or 12 a day. After going thru the usual slew of Drs & tests, we were put in a position of meds, or finding an alternative therapy. We had a chiropractor reccomended to us. He is amazing. Phenomenal with kids, and after 6 mos of adjustments, my son was seizure free. It has been almost a year and half, and he remains seizure free (NO MEDS). Thank the Lord. He is not your avg chiro, He is part of an elite group call Maximized Living Chiropractors. He is in NW Houston, and would be worth a call to go see him. He gave my family (who are all enrolled with his practice, even my 6 mo old) the best gift a person can give.. restoration of health. His Number is ###-###-####. www.maximizedlivingchiropractors.com for a Dr. near you.
Good Luck in whatever you choose.
L.

L.:
My first piece of advice is go to see someone who specializes in seizure management (an epileptologist) even if you are happy with your neurologist. My type of seizures were initially misdiagnosed and my then neurologist actually put me on a medication that increased my type of seizures.
Other tips?
Keep a notebook. Journal any side effects and any type of seizure activity. (Family can help with this.) Bring the journal to all appointments; write down questions and answers.
Get enough sleep.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol (both of these increase likelihood of seizures)
Eat regularly (low blood sugar can also be a trigger)
Do whatever you have to do to take your medications regularly- Pill container. Alarm clock. Watch alarm. Encourage DH to remind you. (Initially annoying but way better than having seizures)
Though my epilepsy is not strictly catamenial, I tend to have seizures around my period.
Getting more sleep (before and during)and regular exercise has helped.
Know that you can live with this and that it doesn't have to be paramount focus of your life.
I have had epilepsy for over 20 years; diagnosed when I was 17. One of the best things that I did was find the right doctor.
You can do this.
Please contact me if you would like more information.
MW