Epileptic Women high risk for Osteoperosis

Hi, I am 41 years old. I have been epileptic for 24 years. My seizures have been under control for 18 years on Tegretol. I have not had side effects from this medication until this past summer. I want to share this with you so that you can stay on top of your health in case your doctor is not aware of this. My neurologist and GYN were aware, where as my genenral practioner was not. My neurologist wanted to get me off the tegretol because he said that ir causes ostepeosis. I did a sleep/mdication deprived EEG and it came up that I would have a 90% chance of seizuring if I went off the med. The Neurologist and the GYN decided I needed a bone scan. It was normal. The GYN ordeered a calcium level and vitamin D level. The D came up low and so he told me for two months to take the caltrate twice a day. My D level was even lower. He said it is a common side effect with seizure medicine. I have a call into the Neurologist to see if I can get the medication changed. I have not heard back. If he cannot, the GYN wants me started on presription vitamin D 50,000 mg. per week. I did do a search and it said that all seizure med has a side effect of decreasing the vitamin D which makes epileptic women at more risk for osteoperosis and the other thing that does is that the seizure med will put us into menopause earlier than most women. The early onset also puts us at high risk of cardiac disease. So be on top of your health, request vitamin D checks when you get your yearly physicals especially if you have a history of osteoperosis in the family. If you are in your mid to late 30's talk to your doctor about the calcium supplement with vitamin D and the omega 3's are good for preventing cardiac disease. Any advice from people who have shared this and what your doctor did, I would appreciate it. All the best! Sharon