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When do you decide to change meds?

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Posted 7/30/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I had a seizure almost a month ago after three years of being seizure free, and since then I get the "odd" feelings daily.  This never happened after my other seizures.  With the other ones, I had the seizure, and then started feeling fine.  When I had the first seizure, we hoped it was an isolated thing and opted to wait and see regarding medication.  I had the second one and started medication. 

This really freaks me out considering feeling fine after having the other seizures, and not being on meds after one, and the being on a very low dose (intially - starter pack) after the second one.

So, my doc increased my Lamictal from 200 mgs to 400 mgs.  I don't see where the increase has helped any.  If anything, I feel worse.  It doesn't help a whole lot that the increase in meds, combined with the seizure and being stripped of driving, has left me feeling pretty depressed.

I think some of it is anxiety.

Anyhow, when's a good point to decide to try another med?  I am reluctant to change because Lamictal worked for me for so long, but I just don't feel like it's doing the trick this time.  I can take being depressed as a side effect if it helped my symptoms, but like I said, I just don't think it is.

Anyway, I have an appt. with my neuro on Friday.  I was just wanting some input from those of you who had been there.

Don't know it it makes a difference or not, but I have tonic clonic seizures.  I have looked around on the net for info about Lamictal, and it looks like it is used for partial seizures.  Any thoughts about this?

Thanks!

Beth

Posted 7/31/2008 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
I don't feel very qualified to offer insight, since I'm here seeking it myself right now, Beth. I am in a very similar situation. I did, however start a change to Topamax about 8 months ago (if you read my other posts, my story is rather repetitive) as Rx for migraines and also for seizures as I was using Neurontin & Valium, having tried other meds with allergic results early on. Obviously I wasn't tolerating the side effects well & was tired ALL the time & complained bitterly about this for nearly 3 years until a new neurologist was found who started me on the Topamax.

When he got me ramped up on the Topamax and started tapering the Neurontin, we ended up having a major parting of the ways & I found myself without a neurologist, then my primary left town, so I was without an MD of any kind for about 4 months when I started having seizures again this month!! Nice, so I went back to my old home town where this all began (first seizure, discovery of large brain tumor, surgery etc.) and saw my old team. A bit of a drive but worth it after all was said and done. I'm still on the Topamax, but we are looking at adding an allergist and trying some different meds following an EEG tomorrow and an appointment next week.

Short story long, when to add new meds? For me, now. Because I'm having problems, wasn't tolerating my original regimen at any point and the 'new' regimen has proved to be ineffective. I'm not under control, so to me it's obvious that I need something different or I'm going to keep having seizures or 'near seizueres' until I do something different.

I hope my rambling on was at least somewhat helpful.

Hugs,
HW
Posted 8/1/2008 2:20 AM (GMT 0)

Horsewhisper,

Thanks so much for the response.  It's nice to find support, although it makes me sad to see others here because I know they are having the same problems I am.

I think I am going to ask about changing or adding meds.  If my doctor doesn't mention it, I will.  I have been reading about Lamictal, and all that I have found says that it's usually used in combination with other meds when the seizures are tonic clonic like mine are.  Which makes me wonder if my neurologist knows what he is doing in the first place.  He's "supposed" to be one of the top in my state.

Well, I am off to the doctor tomorrow.  Hate, hate, hate going to the doctor :(

Thanks again,

Beth


Posted 8/9/2008 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Beth, my approach is to do as much homework as possible, like this kind of research, gather as much as possible chat with folks you trust and have no edge to grind and of course your Dr and when you know you are ready make a decision... what they call a well informed decision.. I have pressure to medicate despite side affects but this is my body and my life and I have to live 24 hrs a day with me,,,,what is helpful for me is a quote from conversations with God by Neil Donald Walsh. when you do what is absolutely the right thing for you it will be best for everyone else as well,,, of course this takes self knowledge and personal integrity.
Tony
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