Epilepsy

[byhisstripes]

I have been on LAMICTAL for approximately 2months . Previously , I was on TRILEPTAL and KEPPRA , I thought I was trully losing my mind or was having a breakdown with both of these . I experienced anxiety/panicking , concentration, I could only focus on one thing at a time / no details,irritable ,anger , forgetful , feeling overwhelmed, change in hair texture/loss .I felt as if someone else was living my life and I was an observer- none of these were in my character . I almost lost my job after 12 years and I eventually stepped down from my previous position . I was then given LAMICTAL(starter pack), but because of the onset side effects ,I had to start over again (another starter pack). I finally went to a prescription-300 mg (150/am , 150/pm) , initially some of the above side effects were not as strong or prevalent . I did begin to lose my balance / dizziness and I had this tremendous pressure / heaviness in my head , headaches also ear pressure and a feeling of it being clogged. I thought I had a "sinus infection" because of these.But my primary Dr said it was "stress headache" . I then went to my Neurologist (his assistant) and we both believe the dosage was too high . I've been given a lower dosage starter pack and a prescription for Meclizine (dizziness).Is it me or has anyone experienced any of the above , How can I treat this dizziness ? (aside from the Meclizine). PLEASE RESPOND ! ! ! ! ! ! ASAP

[heritage]

My experiences with lamictal are somewhat similar. In the Spring of 2006 I visited a neuro after 4 weeks of episodes. MRI/MRA didn't show anything. In the Spring of 2007 I had another round of 4 week of episodes. At that point I had an EEG that showed abnormalities. I was put on the lamictal trial pack as monotherapy and am now up to 500 mg a day as blood work showed that I was metabolizing the lamictal too quickly.

The problem is that I have only had relatively brief periods of time since being on lamictal where I didn't experience "brain fuzz" (for lack of a better term), pressure headaches and some disorientation. The neuro has increased the dosage of lamictal from 300 mg to 500 mg a day but I don't know if the lamictal isn't working or if the drug itself is causing the present symptons. I'm not yet sure if I want to wait until my next scheduled nuero appt. in Jan. 2008.

I'm thinking about obtaining a referral to a neuro who sole practice is devoted to epilpsey (I can't remember the name of the speciality). Perhaps you should also consider seeing such a specialist.

Good luck. Please let me know how things turn out for you.

[cstivend]

Last December I began to have the following symptons, lost use of right leg, vision loss in left eye for about 1 minute, numbness on the right side of my head down to my ear lobe, sharp pain shooting throw my head, memory loss, especially short term, and the doctor said it was my epilepsy and so began my drama with keppra and lamictal. I was happy one minute, sad, angry, depressed, all in one day on these medications. I was told i was having partial sezuires and that they were causing all of the symptons I was experiencing. I am now off of lamictal and coming off of keppra due to adverse side effects. I will eventually stay on the tegratol. Has anyone experienced the symptons listed above as a result of epilepsy? Please keep in mind I was on lamictal, keppra and tegratol at the same time and also that I have not had a seizure in over 20 years while on tegratol. I have had mri's, eeg, ekf, ct scan, x-rays etc. and no one has sat down with me yet to look at any test. I have been told that i am having mini strokes, bipolar (had these symptons as a result of the keppra and lamictal), could be ms, lupus. Open for any suggestions..what should i do now?

Thanks.

[heritage]

CST,

I was diagnosed with partial simple seizures and have experienced all the symptons you describe. Ultimately lamictal didn't work for me so keppra was prescribed as an add on therapy. I have only started to feel better as I am now being weaned off the lamictal. However, the keppra has really altered my mood. You may want to consider obtaining a second opinion from a neuro who specializes in epilepsy. I'm considering the same course of action as the cure may be worse than the disease. I may ask to be taken off the keppra (and any other AED's). Good luck.

[JanieNut]

I found my people! I've had drug reactions to deprakote, Lamictal, and Topamax.
I thought I was the only one with a drug reaction issue. At least that is the feeling I got from the experience and through discussions with my dr. and, especially his P.A.
Deprakote made me act like my mother - uh... I mean it made me throw temper tantrums and dishes at my very astonished family. I am a pretty even tempered person normally.
Lamictal made me jump like a crack addict - jumping at shadows, shaky, imagining people were mad at me, crying in a heap on the floor over burnt dinner - I really felt like I was addicted to something and I needed to go find a 'fix' NOW> It was really ugly.
Topamax was my all time favorite. It numbed my whole body and mind. I could not feel my hands up to my elbows. My feet were gone up to my hips. My brain was so bogged down - I couldn't play cards on the computer because I couldn't logic out where the cards would go. But my favorite was the feeling that I couldn't breathe because of the numbness - no wait; it was the seizure down the right side of my body that lasted over 3 weeks. I couldn't hold a fork without spilling my food. FUN
At least my doctor takes these drug reactions seriously and switched me off of them. (The usual ease one up - one down scale)
Right now I am only on Neurotin at a baby dose and going to a 2nd specialist in a few weeks where I hope to find the Holy Grail. Someone tell us that there are other drugs for people like us.

[heritage]

JanieNut, I've read that partial simple seizures are the most difficult to treat. The meds I've tried so far over the past year have either been largely ineffective (lamictal) or have significantly altered my emotional state (keppra). These meds help many people but it seems they effect everyone a little differently. I've seen a specialist who suggests I submit to an in hospital EEG test that can take 2-3 days or more to administer. Unless I improve I'll probably go along with this. As I'm sure you would agree its all quite frustrating. Good luck to you