I am a 35 year old female. I am 5'2 and 200lbs (I know I am overweight)

On August 1, 2002 I had a grand mal seizure while on a break at work. ( I am an exec. Assistant). I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital where I spent a few weeks have one seizure after another. They ran a battery of tests but could not figure out what was causing my seizures. Eventually during one of my seizures my heart stopped for a short time. Once the got things under control again they airlifted me to a hospital that specializes in Neurology. I spent 10 months in the hospital and was told I had every test they could think to run but to no avail. While I was in the hospital I was told that I became very violent and turned into a totally different person. I do not have any memory of this time but they took videos of me as this is a teaching hospital and they hoped to learn from my stay there.

They eventually sent me back to our local hospital as they were unable to find the cause of my seizures. My seizures became fewer and further between so they sent me home without any answers and referred me to a local neurologist. When I was first released from the hospital I had what my doctors and family referred to as "episodes" I can't really explain what happened other than that I lost my senses for certain periods.

My neurologist says that her working diagnosis is Porphyria.

The reason I am telling you all of this is not because I want answers on my seizures but I am having other problems that need to be dealt with and I would like you to know my background.

Since I first got my period at the age of 13 I have had a lot of trouble with my cycle. I bleed A LOT. The cramping gets so unbearable that I am doubled over for the first three days of my actual period ( I say actual because this is where the problem is ) I have been bleeding continuously since approx.. Nov 2005. I Have a full period for 7 days and then I spot for the rest of the month. I have seen a gynecologist and she has told me that I have endometriosis and PCOS. She has said that the best way to treat the problems that I have been having is to start taking the birth control pill. I have been told by my neurologist that this would not be a good idea if in fact I do have Porphyria as changing hormones or adding hormones or doing anything with my hormones may have an adverse reaction because of the porphyria. I am not sure exactly what all of this means but if it means I will start having seizures again I am not willing to take any chances. My last seizure was in December 2005 and I am hoping that if I can continue to not have any seizures than I will be able to go back to work and also start driving again.

I found this website and thought I have tried everywhere else I can think of to get suggestions so I figured why not try this. Maybe someone might have some insight to all of the problems I have been having.

I am currently taking Lamotrogine for my seizures I take 150mg/day.

I am also type 2 diabetic and I am on 2500 mg metphormin/day

I also take Lipitor for Cholesterol and Losec for Acid Reflux.

I figure the more info I can give the better my chances are to get answers.

I know that I have to lose weight and I have lost 50 pounds from when I was first discharged from the hospital. I am continuing to try to lose weight but it is a really long process.

I hope that someone somewhere will have some answers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Okay,

To start with my wife has seizures and grand mals and small symptoms. What you call episodes we call symptoms.

Being diabetic, I would think would have something to do with the seizures.

Being overwieght would aggravate or even trigger being diabetic also with the severe reflux. I was diagnosed with severe reflux. For a lot of people it is because of diet and being over wieght.

So by losing weight and eating healthier you could possibly eleviate several of your conditions the reflux and the diabetes.

Your on several different medications and I am unsure how this combination would effect you. There should be somebody looking into the possible connection of these different medications. That could trigger a reaction like seizures.

Another thing too, there is one of your medications that you should avoid any kind of grapefruit, whether it is the fruit drink or any kind of supplements that have grapefruit should be avoided. The interaction between this and your medicine is not well documented but could be a factor.

It is pretty sad when doctors can not figure out what is going on with you. I have a feeling it has something to do with the diabetes.

Joe

Thank you for your response. I did know about the grapefruit that is one thing my doctor was able to help me with. I am sure the interaction on the meds is not what is causing the seizures as I had my first seizure before I was on any of these medications. My weight gain came from laying in a hospital bed for months with no activity and when I gained all the weight I started having different health problems. I also agree that with today's technology someone should be able to figure out what is happening. I hope that you and your wife are well.

Yes, Joe, great call on the grapefruit. I would like to know if you are taking any herbal supplements, such as ginsing, ginger, any herbal supplement at all.

The only hearbal supplement I am taking at this moment is Chromium Picolinate

Are you taking this in conjunction with the Metformin for weight loss?

Have you discussed your use of Chromium Picolinate with your doc?

Yes and Yes