Anxiety / trileptal?

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Elsie

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I hope I'm doing this right.

I have a question. Does anyone experience severe anxiety as a side effect of trileptal? I am on generic version of this and currently am having a very hard time coping with the stressors of life.

When people post about Kepprage, well, that's presently how I feel, though I'm taking something different.

I have atopic dermatitis (something I've had since little girl) and it always gets worse when I'm stressed with life situations. It's flared on my hand something awful and old meds, creams I was using no longer work and I'm going to dermatitis next week for something new or different. I have huge raw spots.

Just feel mad at the world, mad at all the people not doing their jobs, not fixing my phone line, etc., road rage (though I'm trying to be careful). I have lots of responsibilities and generally get through everything ok. Can't seem to get a handle on things these days though. Beginning to wonder if this is a side effect making this worse? I don't have the sort of attacks that make ones heart race, etc., I just have a case of bad nerves.

Presently have no neuro to call. Old one retired. I still have 2 months' left of prescription and I have to pick another and call for appointment. And I don't want to switch if I don't have to. At least it controls seizures.

Just curious... thanks everybody.
 
I don't want to cause you any more anxiety, but are you 100% sure they are dermatitis and not Steven-Johnsn syndrome? When I was 13 I had a near death experience after taking Trileptal. I suffered severe rash all over my body, my skin was peeling, I was tired all the time. The ER doctors at a big hospital diagnosed Steven-Johnson Syndrome. Research a little abut steven-johnson and go to the ER if you think it is Steven-Johnson!
 
Trileptal is sometimes prescribed as an anti-anxiety drug, so ordinarily it would be unusual for it to cause anxiety. But you never know with these meds --they're pretty powerful, and i seem to remember at least one other CWE member mentioning that her anxiety increased on Trileptal. You might want to check out this site for user comments about the Trileptal side effects they've experienced: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21014
 
Pretty sure...I had eczema as a baby, as a toddler, as a youngster, as a teen, an adult, etc. I had it on all the different meds I was ever on. Not from the meds, but during those times I took who-knows-what. I had one drug rash from dilantin that was completely different looking than this. I have lots of food allergies and contact allergies to things like soaps, chlorine especially. Once a dr. got all alarmed, sure I had lupus. Nope, good old eczema.

However, it always flairs when I'm stressed badly. I can't seem to get a handle on the anxiety/stress. It doesn't usually last this long. There may be a bit of depression going on, but not alarming. After all, it's a little sad when one's skin peels away and cortisone creams aren't working.

I've passed it on to one Daughter, it appears. She has to use creams all the time.

I'm just wondering if the anxiety might be worse from this trileptal? I've been on it about 5 years and eczema problems are about the same.

Mother wrote in my baby book (I was a baby for pete's sake) that I was high strung. Yeah. Never outgrew that. Very bad right now.
 
Hey, Nakamova, (did I spell that right?) if I'm this bad ON the trileptal, and it's supposed to help anxiety, I can't imagine what I'd be like without it! Maybe I'd be in a rubber room.

Please excuse my lack of spelling correctly. It's embarassing, but that skill is going away. I know it has something to do with my brain function, because I'm not dumb, I just can't spell anymore.
 
Oh I didn't know you were taking it for more than 5 years. Then it's prolly not SJS :) Thank god .. I don't remember having any anxiety when I took it, but I went off it pretty quick, like in 2 weeks so I don't know. sorry I can't help:(
 
Biotin is considered safe for folks w. seizure disorders -- particularly because some anti-seizure meds deplete it. A standard supplement should be safe.
 
My son became nearly psychotic when on Trileptal -- he got so hyperactive he couldn't sit in his chair more than 30 seconds -- couldn't even sit on the toilet long enough to have a bowel movement. Very anxious, very stressed easily -- crowds, lights -- would just get set off.

His neurologist said that Trileptal is also prescribed for bipolar, but in normal people, it can sometimes cause psychotic behavior. We were SOOO glad to get off of Trileptal -- esp. since it wasn't helping the seizures anyway.
 
Well I followed the link to see what side-effects people were reporting. Yikes, that would scare anyone to read all that stuff. But I had to laugh at some of it, such contrasting symptoms... and I liked the one who said while on this med she was "dumb as a post". Ah, yeah. Like me saying I was going to a dermatitis instead of a dermatologist. Sheesh.

Anyway, my current level of anxiety has decreased a little. Maybe due to the fact that I've gone on semi-strike around here and DH is finally doing a few things. I don't expect him to do this stuff usually cause he has his own problems and concerns and pain and work...but sometimes I just need a break.

I looked at some pictures of Stevens-J. syndrome, wow that is one scary disease, especially what can happen to one's eyes. Thank goodness I don't have that. I have none of the other symptoms associated with it. And my boo-boos on my hands match eczema pics, not the S-J ones.

Sigh...I just need to get over my pity party and get on with life. Thank you everyone for your replies. I will let you know what the dermatologist says on Wednesday.
 
Apt. with dr. today. Very strange doctor. Old as the hills. Seems to know his stuff but certainly didn't share much knowledge with me. I was overwhelmed trying to keep track of what he said, instructions, etc.

One script said "as directed". Yeah, that part wasn't in my head, and pharmacy wanted instructions, not so much for me but so insurance would cover. Had to call them. Said they were less than helpful to her too.

Just a form of eczema. Dyshidrosis. Got a shot (have no idea what it is but my butt hurts now) and I did at least get to ask if it would interact. No he said. Got Prednisone for 2 days. Got betamethasone dip salve to use, must be so strong I have to wear gloves after for an hour so I don't get it anywhere else on me.

The best one was I mentioned my anxiety / nerves. He gave me Doxepin. Info on pamphlet says additional monitoring may be necessary if history of seizures... and warnings for suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, etc. Yeah, not taking this one. The salve version of this is not to be taken if one is taking carpamezine (spelling?) and am I not on something similar?

Anyway, I'm less than happy, but I'll try at least the salve and the prednisone and hope for the best. Where are the kind smart doctors who take the time to explain, etc.? I sure haven't found one.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Okay, I forgot every time I put in s p ? it changes it to simple partial... and I've not yet been able to edit a post and get it reposted.
 
How frustrating -- sounds like the doc was happy to write scrips, but less skilled at actually listening and explaining. I hope all those pills help.
 
I went ahead and changed the "s p?" to "spelling?" for you. The autofill for s p is "simple partial", as you've noticed. A bit annoying, sorry about that.
 
Thanks. I still hurt where I got the shot. Thought that would be gone by now. Hands are a little wee bit better. I wish I could get a handle on the anxiety though. I've had 3 bouts of this in my life. First 2 were life-changing situations, this one is a slow slide into forced retirement as DH's health deteriorates. He has an active job, broke his hip 1 1/2 yrs ago and recently the joint is deteriorating, limping, lack of strength, pain. Replacement in his future (only was screwed in place when it happened) but holding out till medicare. We have very little medical budget. Hense the anxiety. Well, at least I don't have seizures. Always thought anxiety/stress was my trigger, but apparently not. Thank you everyone. It helps to converse.
 
Good to hear the Trileptal is controlling your seizures in spit of all the stress.
 
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