girlfriday Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 While I have learned a lot about side effects, etc. from this discussion, wondering if there is anyone out there using lamictal for epilepsy/seizures? I take WAY more than most of the folks in the discussions I've read (700 mg) and would love some conversations for the "Bodies-A-Twichin'" folks out there. Thx! And hope EVERYONE feels better on whatever combo they are on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maristrider Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I was prescribed Lamictal for seizures, tho it was selected because it might have an AD/mood stabilizer effect as well. My max dose was 600mg (there's someone else here that was on that dose as well). I've since tapered to 300mg Lamictal (plus 3 other AEDs) - the higher dose really didn't improve my seizure control, but love love love it for mood. I've spent far more time on epilepsy boards than on MI ones, and 700mg is the highest Lamictal dose I remember seeing - are you also on meds that affect Lamictal levels (eg carbamazepine, birth control pills)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4ao Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfred Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I take it for TLE. I only take 300 mgs as I have infrequent seizures. nf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 DH takes 600mg Lamictal, plus Tri-leptal and Lyrica. It is the one that has the greatest impact on his seizure control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlfriday Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 Thanks everyone. The lamictal was started (simple partials and complex partials) because I also have depression and it was thought it would help with the depression. I haven't noticed a change in depression with the lamictal, but then again, I am a sleepy depressive. Who knows what will work for each individual.. I was on Pristiq and Wellbutrin when I started the seizures. Wellbutrin was pulled b/c it lowers seizure threshold. I do carry Ativan with me at all times, should I have a seizure. While the slow tapering up did wonders at first, I am having some breakthroughs at the moment. Have taken Klonopin for anxiety. It is kind of a vicious cycle: does the anxiety trigger the seizures, or do the seizures trigger the anxiety? I know my epi doc is going to want to change meds, which will mean no driving for 3 months. Sigh. Only side effects I can see are hand tremors, hair loss and the scattered brain...."I used to be smart, really!" In fairness, the scattered brain and trouble with word finding (doodad, thingamagig,etc.) and using wrong words. My favorite was, "Can someone please vacuum the lawn?" For quick background: I had a stroke 2 years ago in left temporal lobe, that left me with the gift of epilepsy. No major complaints, b/c I am alive. Still would love to get control of this. Thanks for any and all insight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumdum Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 "I'm gonna go vacuum the lawn." That you just wrote that just slays me! I told my husband that when he called from work one day and that's was exactly what I said! HA! I call Lamical "Head-Ache_Tal as I've never had a migraine in my life. So my epi. doc added on Dope-A-Max to keep the headaches at bay. Then added Keppra (3,000 mgs.) because the seizures (simple partials and complex partial were just outta control) then he added on Effexor. And Lorazpam (i.e. Atavan,) which I'm supposed to take 3 times a day. I only take it when I have a dental appt. I take 300 mgs of Lamictal and Topamax in addition to the Keppra and just .05 of the Lorazapam and I can't remember how much Effexor, which doesn't work for crap, in my opinion. For me, Lyrica made me gain 10 pounds in a month. I've lost 46 pounds in the five yrs. since diagnosed 5 yrs. ago (I didn't need to, I'm 5'10") becuz these drugs make me so sick. However, everyone reacts differently to these drugs. As my epi. doc said on my first visit, There's no magic bullet, but maybe we'll find something close." I agree. After 12 meds and dosages, I'll keep being a drug magnet. There's always a new med. coming down the pike. Lyrica makes some people fat, others, not so much. Some people experience Kep-Rage, others, like me, no problemo. Lamictal works for me, but the headaches were unbearable, thus the Topamax. Others, can't tolerate the insomnia. Me? I'm still a moody bitch as always and my tummy can't handle any of these meds. Where's my memory? Apetite? Ability to spell or walk without falling into walls? Ask my bruised arms and legs. So hang in there..whatever works for you...keep with it! You'll find that magic bullet. Give it time. Best wishes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maristrider Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 dumdum - one of the new meds coming down the pike (Perampanel) was my magic bullet. Started taking it almost 18 months ago in a Stage III trial, now open label extension. Best seizure control I've had in 20 years, by far. Didn't realize how many I was really having until some of them went away! Walk into walls even more than I used to, but so worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlfriday Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 Hey Dumdum, nice to find a kindred, aphasic soul! While I never experience headaches, The "dumdums," have been a pain in the ass. Also, this past summer, my hair fell out in gobs. I refuse to look underneath, less I find bald spots :/ That has stopped, and I have crazy little spots, like a buzz cut growing out. Anyway, I appreciate your sense of humor. It really helps as I navigate this stuff. I need to be able to laugh at this....it is so absurd. Best, GF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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