Meds getting changed around

[Loopy Lou]

I rang up my E nurse because i needed to get a letter saying that the risk assessment could be lifted at work, since i haven't had a T/C during the day since last december. She had a talk with the neurologist and asked about all the stuff i'd been talking to her about (side effects from Lamictal and absences etc, night time incidents)

He's decided that i need to come down off the Lamictal a bit and add some Keppra instead. I'm not sure that i really need more meds.

Is it worth the side effects to get total control? I'm not so sure.

Didn't get the letter either. He says it's not practical at the moment. Grrrr.

Also, i've heard that theres a lot of bad side effects from Keppra - is anyone else on this combination and had bad experiences from it? I'm not starting on the keppra until my GP gets the letter/faxes from the neurologist which will probably be near the end of the week.

[Cint]

Hi Loopy Lou,

The neurologist I used to see always said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." If my T/C seizures were under control like yours seem to be, she wouldn't mess with my meds.

Right now I'm on Keppra along with Topomax and one of side effects of Keppra you're probably aware of is the depression it can cause, but for me I didn't notice any difference with the Keppra, since I already suffered from depression.

I'd say it isn't worth the side effects for you right now.

[Loopy Lou]

I'm still having the occasional seizure at night though... But on the whole i'm doing ok. It's only every few weeks or so that i get the tell tale signs from that now.

I'm worried about the depression possible side effect though - i have had problems like that in the past and wouldn't want to return to it. My doc said that Lamictal doesn't have many side effects, but i seem to be hitting every one so far. Or at least most of them.

Gah. I'm finding everything very confusing at the moment.

[Loopy Lou]

I think you're maybe right... I don't think it would be worth the side effects.

I'm wondering if it would be worth giving it a try and seeing how it goes, but that could probably screw things up more if i try it and then later decide not to take the keppra.

[Nakamova]

It's one of the toughest decisions with E: Stay with the med with the unpleasant but known side effects, or switch to something else that might be better, but might bring new side effects. Lamictal has been moderately okay for me, but I know someone else who hated Lamictal and loves Keppra -- so there's just no way to be sure. The one advantage of Keppra is that you can taper onto it pretty quickly. Since you know what to look out for, if it started affecting your moods you could decide right away that's it's not right for you.

[Loopy Lou]

I think it would be about 6 weeks by the time the dosage is what the neurologist said it should be. I'm going from 350mg Lamictal to 300mg and 1000 keppra/

I think that this is a low-ish dose, but i'm really not sure. I think i'm going to take the chance and hope that it works. I'm constantly being tutted at cos people think i'm drunk because i'm unsteady on me feet, and the memory problems are getting me seriously into trouble at work. Oh, and constant eye infections too.

I feel like i'm slowly losing control of whats happening to (and going into) my own body.

I'll get used to it

[Billyboyboo]

My meds have been changed around allot, from Tegretol to keppra, Klonopin, Valium, Lamictal, I see a specialist soon and hopefully I'll get my meds all worked out, it's hard, I know.

Billy.

[Crystal11]

I am taking Keppra XR 3000mg, Tegretol XR 600mg (getting off in a few months) and now Lamictal 200mg and increasing.
Keppra does has some side effects but I am one of those people that don't usualy get side effects from meds. I am sleepy some but as long as I stay active and eat well, and also have my cup of coffee in the morning, I do pretty well.
If you are worried about increasing or adding meds, you are the one in charge- you can let your doc know you don't feel comfortable with it. The doc is there to make you aware of your options. They will be thinking of the risks versis the side-effects and your quality of life. If your seizures are effecting many things in your life, then the meds are probably a good choice even though the side effects may bother you for a little while. Keppra took me two weeks to feel better on- as in being real sleepy. But now I'm on 3 meds and I start to feel the sleepiness a little more during the day time.

Anyways- you have to decide also, if you are willing to have your seizures/cope with them versis the effects and side effects of them meds. I think its easier to say that when you have seizures types like Absences and simple/complex partial as I do. I have complex partials and drop attacks.
Now the drop attacks started after I reduced my Tegretol I don't know how many times because i "felt better" and "wasn't having as many seizures". Now, I've learned BAD IDEA. I got in trouble with my neurologist and was told that my seizures can turn into grand-mal seizures which I dont want. So now I'm more careful although I've changed me Tegretol level again- but only by one pill. I just didnt feel comfortable with 3 meds at once- but I'm now forced to increase it again to were it should be. I just confessed my bad behavior, sorry. I'm learning the hard way to listen to neurologist and my body.
Anyways- talk with your doctor is you're having trouble with side effects and/or having trouble deciding on a med or wheather or not its a good idea in terms of the risks and benefits.

Take care,
Crystal