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Newsletter N° 59 | September, 2025 |
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Feature Article: Special topic on women’s issues: Epilepsy and Menopause
As women approach menopause, they often experience hormonal shifts that can affect many aspects of physical and emotional health. For women living with epilepsy, these changes can also impact seizure frequency and overall seizure control.
Menopause (meno means month or menstrual) is “the permanent cessation of menstruation, occurring 12 consecutive months after the last menstrual period, in the absence of other underlying medical conditions.” Typically, it occurs between ages 45 and 55. In the years leading up to menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate; this is called perimenopause. Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's reproductive years, can significantly impact women with epilepsy. These hormonal shifts can trigger novel physical (e.g., hot flashes, thinning hair, vaginal dryness, increased risk of osteoporosis) and psychological symptoms (e.g., mood swings, decreased libido, poor sleep, cognitive problems)— and in some women, changes in seizure activity.
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| Safety in Epilepsy: Staying safe in bed with Skil-care Bed Rail Wedge Pads |
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You might think that having a seizure in bed would be quite safe because you should be at a lower risk of falls and injuries. But especially if seizures involve intense physical activity and thrashing, having a seizure during sleep can occasionally lead to an injury. It is important to remove all objects that might potentially be dangerous from around the bed (e.g., pointy, hard, or heavy furniture, glass lamps or table tops, etc.). Placing several rugs or mats on the floor around the bed if the person falls out of bed can also be a good idea. Additionally, using bed rail wedge pads might help avoid bumps and falls. Bed rail wedge pads are designed to bridge the space between the mattress and side rail, offering protection against injuries against the side rail or getting caught up in the rails themselves.
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| For our September issue, we are excited to feature our Seizure Star, author and filmmaker, Stacia Kalinoski, who recently published Racing Uphill: Confronting A Life with Epilepsy. |
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Epilepsy Star: For our September issue, we are excited to feature our Seizure Star, author and filmmaker, Stacia Kalinoski, who published Racing Uphill: Confronting A Life with Epilepsy. Your voice has reached so many through your documentary Brainstorm and now, your memoire, Racing Uphill. You are a tireless advocate for those living with epilepsy which is why we thank you for agreeing to be our September Epilepsy Star and for telling us more about the amazing work you do for the epilepsy community.
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Support Groups
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VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS
PSYCHOGENIC NON-EPILEPTIC SEIZURES (PNES) SUPPORT GROUP
Second Wednesday of the month from September until June 2025: From 12-1 PM
The group is only for NEREG patients who have completed their treatment at the NEREG PNES Program. We wish we could fit everyone in, but the group is already pretty large as it is. To register or obtain more information: dramyers@yahoo.com
EPILEPSY ADULT SUPPORT GROUP (for patients and loved ones)
Third Wednesday of the month, from September until June 2025
To inquire about it or to join, email dramyers@yahoo.com. The group is for persons with epilepsy (or loved ones) who wish to connect virtually with others also living with epilepsy. The group meets to touch base, to go over challenges that may have arisen for group members associated with epilepsy, for sharing of resources, and for general support and camaraderie.
Joining a group is easy!
Benefits:
• All 60-minute sessions are held through GoToMeeting®
• Each group is kept small in order to encourage friendship and optimal discussion time (8-10 participants.)
• All groups are led by a facilitator who is knowledgeable about psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
• Confidential.
• Participation in this facilitated discussion is expected and encouraged. You can have your camera on or off-your choice.
• FREE
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Stay tuned because in the upcoming months many very exciting epilepsy and seizure events are coming up! Including the American Epilepsy Society Annual meeting that many of our doctors and nurses attend to display their research and learn from others from around the globe. Also, Dr. Lorna Myers, will be presenting in two international conferences, at the University of Buenos Aires in October and virtually in Peru in November, at the First Latin American Congress on Functional Neurological disorders (Primer Congreso Latinoamericano sobre Trastornos Neurológicos Funcionales). Furthermore, the epilepsy community will be coming together on September to meet for our virtual epilepsy book club, on October 19 to WALK FOR THE ONE and in November raising awareness all monthlong for epilepsy.
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Launched in 1998, Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group (NEREG) is a multi-site practice in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut that offers unique services and comprehensive care to children and adults with epilepsy. NEREG provides state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, 24/7 patient service, highly skilled and experienced practitioners, and exceptional specialty programs designed to cover a broad range of health care needs in each epilepsy patient. NEREG consists of twenty board-certified epilepsy specialists with fellowship training in adult and childhood epilepsy, as well as many other highly skilled health care providers including pediatric/adult neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, epilepsy nurse practitioners, a specially trained nutritionist and epilepsy advocates.
Launched in 2003, Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (MAESC) is a practice located in Bethesda, Maryland that offers neurological services and comprehensive care to children and adults. MAESC consists of six board-certified neurologists who treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other neurological illnesses.
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20 Prospect Avenue, Suite 800
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Tel (201) 343-6676 / Fax (201) 343-6689
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333 Westchester Avenue, Suite E104
White Plains, NY 10604
(914)4289213
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