pcos

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

I suffer from this condition, so figure this might be the appropriate site to ask a curly question...has anyone here heard of an increased incidence of PCOS in women with epilepsy? More to the point, are there any women here in my shoes?

Jacqui

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I also have PCOS but have never been told that it has any relation to epilepsy. Did your doctor tell you this?

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what is pcos?

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Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.
Originally posted by BarbPick

what is pcos?

PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects an estimated 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women. As many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome.

A very good site for PCOS is INCIID. Here is the link: http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos.html

I have PCOS too.

I found this at INCIID about PCOS and epilepsy: It is also possible that PCOS may be caused or worsened by valproate, a medication used to treat seizures, but it is hard to say if it is the epilepsy per se or the agent used to treat it that brings about the PCOS symptoms in some women. The condition may be improved by switching to another medication.

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I don't really know if I have it or not. They did this big work up on me because I had many ruptured ovarian cysts, after the first 2 surgeries they refused to open me up again, and I had to tough out the pain with medication and CBC's to see how much I lost.

Then came the tests. (I am oncology and foresnics, I let the professionals do their jobs) They said if I had it I would be put on glucophage. I was not put on glucophage, I am on provera's big brother, daily. The pain has gone away.

I spent 5 years selling my soul to the devil trying to get pregnant, never happened.

Your comments please.

Barbara

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

I am actually on valproate. The information I have found says 30% of women with epilepsy will have it anyhow (as opposed to 10% of the general female population) and that 50% of women on valproate may have it. But other research papers say the occurrence is incidental or some such. My doctor knows diddly squat...I brought the issue up with her. She sent me to a medical specialist and even he had to consult with O+G specialists and read up on his latest data...so Im here, because I figure nurses working in this area might know a bit more through experience.

Jacqui

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