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I take levetiracetam, zonisamide for my seizures. I take paroxetine for anxiety and depression. I also have migraines. I can't do hormone replacement because it can make my seizures and migraines worse. I have had migraines since my teens and seizures since brain surgery for an AVM in 1994.
@A MyEpilepsyTeam Member , Have you tried seeing a Gynecologist? I’m almost 48 & & in August 2024, I officially began menopause , no more premenopause. The hot flashes were just awful & I was hardly getting any sleep at night because I was so hot & I was having to take a little hand held fan with me to bed & had it blowing on me, as well as the regular fan on the dresser in my room & I eventually started taking an ice pack with me to bed as well. My Family doctor had me Progesterone & the Estradiol pill but it wasn’t helping & so she suggested that I go to a Gynecologist. The Gynecologist has kept me on the Progesterone but changed me to the Estradiol Patch & the patch is changed once a week. Now it’s like I’m not even going through menopause & though everyone reacts differently to each medication, I certainly remember the Estradiol Patch. But I did read you have concerns with the hormonal therapy because of your seizures. I did go back & read the side effects of the Estradiol Patch & it recommends to talk to your doctor about it if you have seizures. It also recommends to do so if you have a bleeding disorder & a little over 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder called Von Williebrands disorder after my second gum surgery cause the whole right side of my face bruised. I had several different surgeries before that without any problems & so I don’t understand why I suddenly had trouble with that & got diagnosed. But I don’t think it’s extremely bad, but I now have to use a nose spray before any surgery that I have. But I found some information that includes a list of non-hormone therapy for this. But be careful with the Gabapentin because it can possibly effect the memory, cause my Mom took it & she repeated things sometimes & we told her & so she got off it. I don’t know anything about the other medications. But you might talk with a Gynecologist & mention the concern about your seizures & see what they could recommend to help you. Here’s the link to the website with the information: https://share.google/aimode/QTxlwXISK0lHBVe8j . Good luck. Your friend in Austin, Texas, Becky
I don't drink alcohol at all and I am very careful about caffeine intake. I have spoken to my neurologist and even he is unsure what to suggest; which is why I asked here.
Navigating early menopause symptoms alongside epilepsy, migraines, and existing medications is genuinely complex — and it's smart to be cautious about what you add to the mix.
Since hormone replacement therapy isn't an option for you, there are some non-hormonal approaches worth discussing with your neurologist and/or Show Full Answer
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