Epileptic Women high risk for Osteoperosis

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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

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Epileptic Women high risk for Osteoperosis

Submitted by angel_lts on Mon, 2006-11-20 - 07:04

Because we have epilepsy, menapause can start way earlier. My family started menapause, that was my mother and two sisters at the age of 57 which is basicly very late for them. Now one sister who has epilepsy went through it age 43 to 48. The funny thing is, I started 43 and now I am 46 and is almost in menapause. Possible I started a bit earlier than that but didnt realize it. here is some info that will help you look for the side effects. Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause MENTAL Thoughts of Apprehension, Dread and Doom Inability to Cope With Stress Headaches Migraines Anxiety Panic Attacks Difficulty Concentrating Confusion (difficulty in decision making) Memory Lapses Dizziness and Lightheadedness EMOTIONAL Anger Rage Nostalgia Melancholy Uncontrollable Mood Swings Sadness â€“ Deep Sense of Loss Sudden Crying Without Cause Decreased Sexual Desire Depression Irritability Guilt and Remorse Body Image Issues Diminished Self Esteem Craving Isolation Without Depression PHYSICAL Hot flashes Night Sweats Irregular Periods Heavy, Prolonged Vaginal Bleeding Joint, Muscle and Tendon Pain Drying Skin, Eyes and Mouth Changes in Body Odor Bloating Breast Tenderness and Swelling Uterine Fibroids Ovarian Cysts Changes in Fingernails (brittle or softer, splitting) Heart Palpitations Increased Facial Hair Adult Acne Tingling in Extremities (hands and feet) Hair Loss and Thinning (head, pubic area and body) Increased Allergies Gastrointestinal Distress (indigestion, gas pain, flatulence) Mouth Changes (burning tongue and roof of mouth, bad taste and bad breath) Vaginal Dryness Painful Intercourse Itchy Crawling Skin Weight Gain Insomnia Blood Sugar Peaks and Drops Incontinence Vaginal Atrophy Loss of Genital Sensation Bleeding Gums Fatigue Nausea Electric Shock Sensations Under Skin Exacerbation of Existing Conditions Tinnitus (ringing and buzzing in ears) COMMON MIDLIFE HEALTH CONDITIONS High Blood Pressure Uterine Fibroids Ovarian Cysts Endometriosis Fibromyalgia Hypothyroidism Adrenal Exhaustion High Cholesterol Osteoarthritis WOMEN'S LONG TERM HEALTH CONCERNS Bone Loss Osteoporosis Heart Disease Diabetes Breast Health Cancer take care Lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/

Re: Epileptic Women high risk for Osteoperosis

Submitted by angel_lts on Mon, 2006-11-20 - 06:57

I have been told about seven years ago that some of the meds cause osteopenia or osteoporosis. Which when tested for a dexascan from dilantin and phenobarbital and from being on the meds so long. It caused be to have osteopenia. here are some sites. Bone Loss from AED Medication http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsyusa/between/bonehealth.cfm Bone Loss from AED Medications http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-06/aaon-edc060204.php The problem is, it doesnt help when going through peri-menapause or menapause. It makes things worse. For the progesterone gets lowered, estrogen rises, and bone decreases. I have been taken progesterone for about two years and more. I was just told last week that finally, finally I was back to normal again with my bones. It can change depending on what you are doing to help. It was because of the progesterone that I was taking to put me back to normal again. No one knows at this point if the newer meds will cause this same problem, which I am sure some will in time. take care Lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/

Re: Re: Epileptic Women high risk for Osteoperosis

Submitted by sharonmlee on Mon, 2006-11-20 - 10:20

Hey Lisa, I wanted to say that since I wrote this I have done a lot of research about the new meds. It has been reported that Trileptol also causes vitamin D deficiency. I spoke to my neurologist and he let me know that he is truly specialized in that he said that since I do not have osteopenia thats good and he is not concerned about the vitamin D deficiency that is something he does not follow. I also asked him if he knew if the new ones cause it and he said again he does not look for that. I thought it may be time to change neurologist. I did talk to my GYN who has been following the vitamin D and he said that I need to take 50,000IU's a week of vitamin D and have another blood test in eight weeks. If you have to take it. I will say that it does cause a lot of nausea, but after three weeks it has been better. I will look at your web sites and see if there is anything about the new ones. I appreciate your web site and I will read it. Just like you said they may not know it with the new meds. Just like they did not know when I started on Tegretol. I also did read that it is most likey that women with epilepsy do need to be on HRT. Thanks, and Take Care, Sharon