sp0ckward
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This morning, I had an appointment with my neurologist to discuss a change of medication because I hated the side effects from Lamotrigine (generic): vision sensitivity to light, especially in the morning and sometimes at my office (staring at a monitor all day); and, it's impossible to wake up in the morning (to be on time for work). Most importantly, I still have breakthrough myoclonic "jerk" seizures and have had a drop attack. Granted, I was only on 25mg, which is a low dose and I had only increased to 1 pill in the morning and 1 pill at night, but I honestly was getting exasperated by the drug.
I asked to be prescribed on Vimpat, but Dr. Fishel prescribed me to Kepra. This is slightly frustrating to have a doctor not listen to you! Especially as a woman, because it's really not safe to be off birth control - I don't want children! I brought this up, but he doesn't listen to me. The Lamotrigine can't be taken with birth control because the two will cancel each other out. I heard that Vimpat can be taken with the Shot without the two interacting or cancelling each other out, or one or the other being ineffective.
On a side note, does anyone have experience with Kepra? Every anti-seizure medication seems to have the same warnings, but everyone seems to experience them differently. With Lamotrigine, I could still drink alcohol beverages without it interacting my medication. The medication actually helped with my hangover seizures by not having any - although once I forgot to take it in the morning, and literally had like at least 5+ seizures in a row (once I took my meds, I was fine). Next time, keeping my meds in my purse at all times!
Neurologist prescribed me to Keppra, but said to stay on Lamotrigine until a week when we will have a better answer if Keppra will work for me. BUT: he didn't instruct me to lower my dosage of Lamotrigine, but to continue taking it. What makes matters worse is that technically, today (Friday, Nov. 4), I would need to increase my medication for Lamotrigine to 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills at night.
During the appointment, he had took my pulse and checked to hear my heart. He commented on my irregular heartbeat and asked if that is normal. I have always had an abnormal heartbeat and many boyfriends have been freaked out by the irregular pulses (beats really fast and then "rests"; and there isn't a pattern to them...super irregular). So now, he wants me to proceed with following up with a cardiologist in order to make sure that the lack of strength in my heart doesn't have to do with my seizures. On a side note: I have always had poor circulation. If I have a weak heart, this might explain why I get cold easily, even during Spring. My mom was freaked out that my hands sometimes turn purple during the winter. Research showed nothing alarming except poor circulation. She often accused me of being anorexic and thought I was eating enough. Can one have seizures due to a weak heart / poor circulation?
In short, I still don't have answer. Do I have epilepsy / neurological seizures or does my heart just can't do its job?
I will be asking for a referral to another neurologist that is closer to the big City, but more importantly, to just change from this dude -- the personality is like talking to a wall. Am considering following up with a cardiologist until then, but other doctors (general health) have never commented on it and said that I am "healthy" -- whatever the fuck that means.
So continues the search for the Soulmate in a anti-seizure drug that will balance out my seizures in order to live a normal work day without collapsing randomly.
I asked to be prescribed on Vimpat, but Dr. Fishel prescribed me to Kepra. This is slightly frustrating to have a doctor not listen to you! Especially as a woman, because it's really not safe to be off birth control - I don't want children! I brought this up, but he doesn't listen to me. The Lamotrigine can't be taken with birth control because the two will cancel each other out. I heard that Vimpat can be taken with the Shot without the two interacting or cancelling each other out, or one or the other being ineffective.
On a side note, does anyone have experience with Kepra? Every anti-seizure medication seems to have the same warnings, but everyone seems to experience them differently. With Lamotrigine, I could still drink alcohol beverages without it interacting my medication. The medication actually helped with my hangover seizures by not having any - although once I forgot to take it in the morning, and literally had like at least 5+ seizures in a row (once I took my meds, I was fine). Next time, keeping my meds in my purse at all times!
Neurologist prescribed me to Keppra, but said to stay on Lamotrigine until a week when we will have a better answer if Keppra will work for me. BUT: he didn't instruct me to lower my dosage of Lamotrigine, but to continue taking it. What makes matters worse is that technically, today (Friday, Nov. 4), I would need to increase my medication for Lamotrigine to 2 pills in the morning and 2 pills at night.
During the appointment, he had took my pulse and checked to hear my heart. He commented on my irregular heartbeat and asked if that is normal. I have always had an abnormal heartbeat and many boyfriends have been freaked out by the irregular pulses (beats really fast and then "rests"; and there isn't a pattern to them...super irregular). So now, he wants me to proceed with following up with a cardiologist in order to make sure that the lack of strength in my heart doesn't have to do with my seizures. On a side note: I have always had poor circulation. If I have a weak heart, this might explain why I get cold easily, even during Spring. My mom was freaked out that my hands sometimes turn purple during the winter. Research showed nothing alarming except poor circulation. She often accused me of being anorexic and thought I was eating enough. Can one have seizures due to a weak heart / poor circulation?
In short, I still don't have answer. Do I have epilepsy / neurological seizures or does my heart just can't do its job?
I will be asking for a referral to another neurologist that is closer to the big City, but more importantly, to just change from this dude -- the personality is like talking to a wall. Am considering following up with a cardiologist until then, but other doctors (general health) have never commented on it and said that I am "healthy" -- whatever the fuck that means.
So continues the search for the Soulmate in a anti-seizure drug that will balance out my seizures in order to live a normal work day without collapsing randomly.
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