[This is the first thread I've ever created, so my apologies if I'm not doing something right!]
I am wondering: are there any epileptics out there who've 1] had issues with birth control, and 2] found a birth control that works for you?
I was diagnosed with status epilepticus (a form of epilepsy) at age 8, had a few seizures, had a TON of auras (warning sign of a seizure) through my teen years without seizing, and then watched it all suddenly stop at age 18. I went off my meds and was released by my neurologist at age 20. I'm 25 now and it's a thing of the past, an illness that I seldom think about.
When I started birth control (Mononessa pill) last June for the first time, it frankly did not occur to me to mention any part of my epileptic history to my gynecologist. During the first week on the pill, I felt a little off and sort of disconnected, but it wasn't enough to halt my usual goings on and I ignored the feeling. But when I began a new pack 10 days ago, I was hit with a 1.5-day long headache, and spent all of last week in a serious funk. No appetite, depressed, not wanting to return my boyfriend's calls, and only leaving the house for work. That disconnected feeling from before returned, followed by all-over tingly, strange smells and tastes... most of the symptoms of auras but in a less intense form. They've since gotten worse, I stopped the pill yesterday and am now awaiting an appointment Thursday.
I've done some reading online and found A LOT of posts across the net of women who've seen their seizure disorder change in relation to starting/stopping birth control and yet have their gynecologist or neurologist tell them that's not possible.
I am wondering: are there any epileptics out there who've 1] had issues with birth control, and 2] found a birth control that works for you?
I was diagnosed with status epilepticus (a form of epilepsy) at age 8, had a few seizures, had a TON of auras (warning sign of a seizure) through my teen years without seizing, and then watched it all suddenly stop at age 18. I went off my meds and was released by my neurologist at age 20. I'm 25 now and it's a thing of the past, an illness that I seldom think about.
When I started birth control (Mononessa pill) last June for the first time, it frankly did not occur to me to mention any part of my epileptic history to my gynecologist. During the first week on the pill, I felt a little off and sort of disconnected, but it wasn't enough to halt my usual goings on and I ignored the feeling. But when I began a new pack 10 days ago, I was hit with a 1.5-day long headache, and spent all of last week in a serious funk. No appetite, depressed, not wanting to return my boyfriend's calls, and only leaving the house for work. That disconnected feeling from before returned, followed by all-over tingly, strange smells and tastes... most of the symptoms of auras but in a less intense form. They've since gotten worse, I stopped the pill yesterday and am now awaiting an appointment Thursday.
I've done some reading online and found A LOT of posts across the net of women who've seen their seizure disorder change in relation to starting/stopping birth control and yet have their gynecologist or neurologist tell them that's not possible.
