Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
So I still have Hashimotos, but I was sent to a neuro for headaches I started getting in April after I was being over medicated for the Hashimotos, well they found Epilepsy. I'm not sure what to think. Could this be effecting my thyroid? I'm so overwhelmed I can't think straight.
I have a family member who has Epilepsy - he suffered with tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal), complex partial seizures and partial seizures (formerly called deja vu).
He was taking Dilantin (phenytoin) for a number of years but still had breakthrough seizures. His doctor switched him to Lamictal (lamotrogine). The meds titration period was tough (having a seizure is the only way to know if the current dose is appropriate).
However, he has been seizure-free for a number of years now and will only have a nocturnal complex partial seizure if he forgets his Lamictal *and* doesn't take Xanax which helps when he forgets his Lamictal dose.
Epilepsy meds are just like thyroid meds to the extent that the patient should never change the brand of med being taken. Truly, this applies to any med that requires the maintenance of certain blood levels.
Over 70% of patients are able to achieve freedom from seizures with AED's (anti-epileptic drugs) - I hope you'll be one of them.
The EFA site has a forum full of helpful people - www.efa.org
I know this site also has an epilepsy forum but, I didn't find it back in 2005 when I was researching for him.
Please know that some AED's can cause/worsen hypothyroidism.
So, it's the meds that can affect your thyroid vs. Epilepsy itself.
I can understand feeling overwhelmed. I hope you can find ways to ground yourself as you move forward with this latest step of your health journey. Yoga and meditation can be really helpful at times like this.
Hang in.
http://epilepsytalk.com/2011/06/01/what-everyone-with-epilepsy-should-know-about-their-thyroid%E2%80%A6/
The author is an active poster on the EFA site as well and is very well-researched