I am new to this board. I am 45 years young and just had my first seizure last month. I had a second 2 nights ago. I have started menopause and was wondering if anyone else started having seizures during menopause? Both of my seizures were when I have been a few days late with my period. I feel like this cannot be a coincidence. I started Keppra XL yesterday - UGH. I feel like I could sleep for the next 5 days. I am supposed to take 1000mg per day (my doctor was out of the office yesterday so they told me it's up to me if I take one 500mg in the morning and one at night or both at night). I hope these stop me from every having another one. It is very scary from my children and husband as well as myself. I have had a normal MRI and an abnormal EEG. Has anyone else started having seizures out of the blue at middle age? It's very scary.

Ahrens,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

I have had epilepsy for over 40 years. At this time I am control, I had a surgery back in 2009, since then have not had a seizure. I am on Keppra, if I wanted to try to go off my medicines I could, I just don't want to take a chance. Where Keppra has help me, some people are not as lucky. You will have to take it for a time to where it will be in your system.

My advice to you is have your family Dr. refer you to see a Epileptologist (Dr. specializing in Epilepsy) and go to a Epilepsy Center. These places are found at large hospitals or university hospitals. These Drs. will do a series of tests on you and this will help the them fine exactly what's going on with your situtation. One other thing to do is taking vitamin B12 1000 mcg. once a day for adult. Afford being around strong flashing lights like at theater, you could wear sunglasses. Also at the theater just make sure you turn your head and shut your eyes during flashing back grounds.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

I am so glad to hear that your epilepsy is under control. I have a hard time thinking of myself as having epilepsy. When you make it to 45 with absolutely no medical issues and then bang - a seizure in your sleep, it's quite frightening. You mentioned taking vitamin B12. What is that for? I am in the process of finding a new doctor. I didn't care for the neurologist that I originally went to. Where do you find an epileptologist? I am having a hard time locating one.

Hi Ahren,
Welcome to the forum! I understand exactly what you are going through. I've had epilepsy for 42 yrs. along with 2 surgeries to help reduce my seizures (sz.) When I went through my change my sz. decreased but sometimes they can increase for a person. All of this is hormone related progesterone helps calm the nerves down and estrogen causes more excitement in the nerves which in turn can cause a sz. for a person. When a woman is going through her change the progesterone level drops and the estrogen level increases. I found eating almonds or lightly salted nuts helped reduce my sz. very well.
Vitamin B12 helps calm the nerves down and it can often reduce or stop sz. for many people since I started taking it every day it has done wonders reducing my sz.
When I took keppra it made me very moody and hot tempered it also increased my sz. so I went off the drug and went on vimpat and that did wonders for me.
Is there any big hospitals or university hospitals near you? This is where you can find Epileptologist and take my word you will be better off seeing an Epileptologist because they can find the cause of the sz. and give you the correct med with no problems. I've seen many different neurologist over the yrs. and an Epileptologist did much more for me and was a great help controlling my sz.
Start keeping track of your sz. write down what time they happen on a calendar along with a description of the sz. by doing this the Dr. may see a pattern in your sz. they may see them happen at certain times of the day/night or certain days of the month.
To see an Epileptologist have your family Dr. refer you to one or you can call the Epilepsy Foundation of America at 1-800-332-1000 and they can tell you where to find one in your area. Here's wishing you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue