Susan's Place Transgender Resources

General Discussions => Health => Topic started by: gendriadys4 on March 25, 2008, 08:35:41 PM

Title: Epilepsy and Hormone Therapy [Help!]
Post by: gendriadys4 on March 25, 2008, 08:35:41 PM
I've been a diagnosed epileptic since about 21. Although I've curbed my seizures for 4 years now, I could still be at risk of having one.  Does being an Epileptic have any affect about going for hormone replacement therapy? Will it cause any damage I should be concerned over?

I don't know if anyone has ever had this problem before. Am I worrying too much or is this founded somehow in logic?
Title: Re: Epilepsy and Hormone Therapy [Help!]
Post by: tekla on March 25, 2008, 10:55:07 PM
I typed in Epilepsy and Hormone into Google and got over a quarter of a million hits.  Start with that.  But it would seem counter.
Title: Re: Epilepsy and Hormone Therapy [Help!]
Post by: taru on March 26, 2008, 02:29:19 AM
Many epilepsy meds and HRT interact with each other. And hormone levels can have an effect on epilepsy.

Probably it is quite possible to have HRT but it makes sense to discuss it carefully with both the endo and the doctor responsible for treating epilepsy.
Title: Re: Epilepsy and Hormone Therapy [Help!]
Post by: lady amarant on March 26, 2008, 06:39:00 AM
Better yet, get the two doctors to talk to each other about it, instead of you playing messenger in the middle. Not something I think any of us are in any way qualified to give advice on, but good luck dear-heart.

~Simone
Title: Re: Epilepsy and Hormone Therapy [Help!]
Post by: taru on March 26, 2008, 06:53:15 AM
Yes. If they are willing to discuss it between themselves that is a very good thing. Else you have to play messenger and be careful & informed.

But you might still need to titrate doses together with your doctors depending on how you respond to the meds as the interaction is quite complex and invidual. (I am on epilepsy meds and the equation is pretty complex at least in my case)
Title: Re: Epilepsy and Hormone Therapy [Help!]
Post by: gendriadys4 on March 26, 2008, 11:44:49 AM
Quote from: taru on March 26, 2008, 02:29:19 AM
Many epilepsy meds and HRT interact with each other. And hormone levels can have an effect on epilepsy.

Probably it is quite possible to have HRT but it makes sense to discuss it carefully with both the endo and the doctor responsible for treating epilepsy.


Yeah, I'll definitely take that to heart! I was always in the dark about HRT and epilepsy. I'd ask my dad about it, he's a nurse himself but, he's not the most supportive of me. He'd just as well dissuade it and excuse it just for health reasons.

Quote from: taru on March 26, 2008, 06:53:15 AM

how you respond to the meds as the interaction is quite complex and invidual. (I am on epilepsy meds and the equation is pretty complex at least in my case)

I'm glad to hear this from another epileptic. You being the most informative, I'll really make baby steps with this. Especially considering the very complex nature. My boyfriend wouldn't mind exploring other options with me, but I'm not about to give up. I'm sure I can find -some- form of HRT that works with me.

Thank you everyone else for the responses! <3