Still navigating forum...plus Lamictal

[Cinnabar]

Somewhere here (in the all of this) I read a woman's post about adjusting to Lamictal and I hope she gets this. Lamictal does have anti-depressant properties but I don't know how potent they are. After a seizure two weeks ago they upped my Lamictal to 100 mg which means I'm now taking 500mg.

Until I adjusted I literally had to hold onto furniture to get to the kitchen. Once I adjusted physically to the Lamictal I went into an immediate and serious depression. Crying when I was not staring at the ceiling. Mr Dr. placed me on Klonopin. Still very drowsy after nearly two weeks. It takes about two weeks for one to adjust. It has helped with the depression. If this doesn't reach you and I hope it does - maybe someone else can benefit or respond to the complex subject of medications for us. Laurie

[RobinN]

My daughter curled up into a ball when on Lamictal. By the end of the first month she was in extreme pain and did not want to move.

[Bernard]

... Once I adjusted physically to the Lamictal I went into an immediate and serious depression. ...

So they added another drug? Sheesh... Seems to me that maybe Lamictal isn't the best drug for you.

[Cinnabar]

Robin - It took me two weeks to adjust to the Lamictal. While I was walking (barely) holding onto furniture I can understand why your little one curled up into a ball. It's a potent drug. Clonopin has eased the depression - the one I sunk into after I adjusted to the Lamictal. Drugs are especially tough on children - they're systems are so delicate and still forming. Do I dare suggest another medicine that would work synerginistically with Lamictal? I have no children so I'm no authority but I wonder if her GP and neurologist could work together to make your child's life more bearable? Laurie

[RobinN]

No they do not attempt to work together.
She has been off of meds for about 2 months now and I see a reduction in her seizures.
Last month she had 5 and this month only one so far .. yesterday due to TOM.

I have increased her magnesium, watch her diet, make sure she is eliminating properly, watch her water intake, monitor her sleep. Even with a stressful month, she has reduced her seizures. I am pleased.

I have just been informed though that she is mercury toxic, and I am researching how to take care of this, as the traditional doctors don't even know how to read the hair test.
I find this challenging.

We also began neurofeedback. A non traditional approach, but one that even without seizure control, I believe it will be a positive for her in rebalancing her life. I pray daily for it to control her seizures though.

[Cinnabar]

She has been off meds for two months and seizure free?! That's great! Somedays I feel like trashing my meds and go the holistic route but my doctors would strongly nay say now. I'm looking into vitamins and one of the most important one is Vit B-6. I don't know how may ICU's. What is neurofeedback? I also wonder about accupunture. Laurie

[p22denise]

My 5 year old is on 75mg a day of Lamictal. Should I be worried? You all are talking about these side effects and they definitely scare the h--- out of me. Other than her crying when she doesn't get her way(could be a side effect could just be that she's five) I have not noticed any other side effects...what other side effects should I be looking for? Also I was going to start Janae on the vitamins. Does anyone know how much and what I could possibly give her? I know that we don't give doctor advice but if anyone has any suggestions I would be so grateful..thanks...

[RobinN]

Not seizure free.. she just had one yesterday. But greatly reduced for now.

You can read about neurofeedback here:
www.eeginstitute.com
There is a member here (Mike), that has found great results from a NF practitioner in NY.

Check out Bernards chart of alternatives at the bottom of his posts.

Denise- I wouldn't worry if you are not seeing side effects in Janae. Independence and a mind of her own isn't a side effect. I would say it is a good quality most of the time. You want them to learn this in a positive environment.

As for vitamine supplementation there is a lot of information here at CWE. Do a search for vitamins. Also Google any vitamin that you want to learn more about. You need to really know the pros and cons of giving a particular supplement before you just go buy a bottle. The are not without their risks (though I find it far less than anti-epileptic drug's) and this should be considered when giving them to small children that don't know how to express how they are feeling.

I give Rebecca quite a handful of vitamins and I continue to learn what is needed with what to help with proper absorbtion. This knowledge is a must and shouldn't be entered into lightly. However, I do think it is necessary due to our modern dietary choices.

[p22denise]

Thanks Robin you all here at CWE are awesome...Makes me wish I lived in the same area so that we could all get together and have an information gathering. I think I would learn alot from you all..

[RobinN]

http://www.eeginfo.com/info_what.htm

[Eyes_herself]

hmm it says it treats manic depression!

Well it's been a few days since I wrote about Lamictal... I am sorry about all of the bad side effects others have had.

But after a few days on it, Lamictal actually is working like a charm for me. I think it was getting used to it in my system. Granted I'm only on 25mg 2x, working up to max 100mg 2x (if needed). I actually have less seizures and it numbed my nerve pain (still think it is damage). I am usually oddly tired in the mornings, moving a bit differently, but once I get food in my system I can act almost the same. I hope that it stays working this well. Sometimes it feels like I will have a seizure, but then the pain goes away, it feel so weird.

[Cinnabar]

I've (after weeks) pyhisicaly adjusting to Lamictal (500 mg) I then went into a very deep depression. My Dr. then prescribed Clonopin (5 mg) then after more stumbling around and then finding I didn't have to hold onto furniture once again found the depression lifted a bit. I'm now tripled diagnosed - Bi-Polar, dissociative disorder and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. All this is so overwheming but by far the epilepsy concerns and frightens me the most. Twice I've damaged both sides of my head against sharp edges of furniture - less that an inch from my eyes. I fear in a matter of time I'll loose one. Now another year of not driving so I'll have to get used to buses. My main objective to get back to my writer's workshop which I gave up last year housebound and apathetic. Unlike you I never have a warning as to when a seizure will strike. My brain is not up to speed and tomorrow I don't now what I'll be typing - working on my memoir material!
Yours with understanding - Laurie

[Seruzies]

I recently started Lamictal, and after trying Depakote, Dilantin, Zonegran, and many others, Lamictal seems to be working well for me as far as side effects, and depression when it comes to meds. My appetite is much better, and I actually feel like eating. I've heard other people here and at other forums say that Lamictal had the opposite effect on their appetite. I will admit that my memory has been worse on Lamictal, but my Dr has me @ a higher level for now. Once my blood level has leveled off to where he wants it, he said we'll probably lower it. He sais it shouldn't be more than a week to ten days to reach a consistent level.

[Cinnabar]

I think Lamictal is an excellent drug for me. I'm on 500 mg now because I recently had two seizures. It took me some time to even get my physical balance but I'm now walking around not doing the "medication shuffle" and the brain fog has lifted a bit. My appetite hasn't changed but I guess that's different for everyone. It's a newer drug and thank god I have insurance because it's $400 a month!