Topemax not working

 I have been taking Topemax 75 mg in the morning and at night, it was working for a little while and now it's not. My doctor told me that is was not safe for me to drive or work and now he comes back and tell me that i'm able to get a job and drive. I have seizures 4 times a week and sometimes twice a day. Has anyone been through this problem. My life has hit the skids because of this. i want to work but the fear of having a seizure while trying to drive to work is not getting it. What should i do? 

It really can stink when your doctor is giving you mixed messages.I understand the increase in seizures and finding it impossible to have gainful employment. I did go through a period were I thought I was able to drive.Then one night and I thank god every time i think about it I was at home and started having seizures again. That was almost 11 months without any.I now have seizures 2-4 times a week. They were happening alot more but I am going to an Epileptic Clinic now.Thet did some med adjusting and I have not had one for four days now.That took 3 weeks on a new med. They will do tests on me and try different meds it was explained. They could even do surgery. I do understand about not being able not to work.I really miss working. And waiting to see if you gualify for S.S.D. is a long waiting process.But you did a good thing by sharing with the people on this forum.They really care. They do not minimize what you may be going through because what you feel right now is important .A lot of people have good advice or ideas that might help you. Medical advice is left for your DR Welcome and feel good. Mary

Dawn1967,

I can't believe that your Doc. said you can drive while your seizures are still not under control. Your Doc. must be looking at the word through rose colored glasses.

I personally think that you should try to avoid driving and eliminate the risk of injuring yourself or others.

 

You should still try to work and use public transit.

It is illegal for an employer not to hire you for a seizure condition. That is descrimination.

 

I've had EP since 1979 controlled by medication so reported at that time to the "Ministry of Transportation" (Canadian)that I was controlled by medication, no questions asked and I didn't lose my licence.

I must have slipped through the system because in ALL cases you must go seizure free for 2 years even if controlled by meds.

 

I drove without a problem thinking everything was great until Dec/02 during an incident in a parking lot(I just came off the highway).

At that point I had my licence suspended.

 

Now my blood levels are being checked each week but the Ministry of Transport has tightened up the rules in this area in an attempt to reduce traffic accidents so that is making it more difficult to get it back. But if I do get it back (which I don't think) I still won't drive and risk the lives of others. I think that is the more resposible way to handle it and set an example for others.

 

It's just like driving drunk-you're taking a major risk.

At first I felt that some of my freedom was taken away but I've gone 2 years without it and I'm starting to accept it a little easier.

 

 

Randy (Ontario)

 

I took Topamax a while ago- it was horrible for me.  It controlled my seizures but I became sluggish and it really hurt me at school- I couldn't really think clearly.  We nicknamed it "Stupimax"  I've since been on Lamictal and now Keppra- which is doing goodness!  If I were you, I wouldn't want to drive until the seizures were under control totally.  Fortunetly I have an 30 second aura before mine so I don't fear having a seizure while driving but I do know someone who's mom got in a car accident after having her first seizure without any warning.  I hope everything works out for you!