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Ivanatron

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Hi Everyone

My name is Ivana. I have had epilepsy since I was 16 (so about 13 years). I was taking epival for about 3 years, during which time I managed to gain about 30lbs (not so pleasant). I am currently on lamictal and have been for about 6 or 7 years (or more..can't remember now).

I had an appointment with my neurologist today and she suggested that I take a 10mg dose of clobazam each night before bedtime to deal with my myoclonic jerks. Does anyone have any experience with these jerks? I have had them for quite some time now..they don't really impact my life, but are very annoying and weird. Also, can anyone give me some advice regarding clobazam?

I'm glad I found this site!
 
Hi Ivana, welcome to the forum. :hello:

If they are true Myoclonic seizures and not short duration CPs, you might ask your doc about Piracetam.
 
Hi Ivana! Can't help with your question, but just wanted to welcome you!!
 
Hi Nakamova
The Lamictal is okay I guess. I've had seizures while on it, mainly when I didn't get enough sleep and when I would drink too much (back in the day!). Basically if I didn't take care of my body, I would get a seizure. Im on 500 mg per day and my doc says that it's quite a high dose and she would prefer if we could lower it somehow. I guess one of the side effects of having a high dose is that sometimes you struggle to find certain words when you speak. I am not sure if this is what's happening with me, but from time to time I have trouble recalling a certain word..my mind goes completely blank when I'm trying to remember it...weird..maybe it's just me hehe.. How much are you on (dosage)? And do you take it in combination with another medication?
 
I'm on Lamictal only, and my dosage is 175mg per day. So I'm on the low side! My neurologist wanted me at 300mg/day, but I know that I respond to lower doses, so I stopped at 250mg, and since then have very slowly tapered down to 175, where I think I'll stay.

As far as I know, I don't have any cognitive side effects at this dose. When I first went on Lamictal I was bothered by crazy dreams, restless sleep, insomnia, hair loss, weight gain. Those side effects have mostly abated, and now I'm just bothered by the blurry vision, dry eyes and mouth (esp. first thing in the morning), and acne on my chin...
 
Hi, Ivana,

I'm on Lamictal, too. No other AEDs. I was on 300mg, but was extremely dizzy, bad headache, severe insomnia, along with a bunch of other side effects that didn't bother me as much as the dizzy/headache did. So my doc reduced me to 200mg. The dizziness and headache are better but not gone. I'm trying sleeping pills for the sleep issue.

The word-finding thing.. oh, yeah. I think it was somewhere else in here that shared that now my life is like living in a game show. When I can't think of a word I turn to the person next to me and say, "You know - the thing with bread with stuff inbetween?" And they answer "Sandwich!" Even the complete strangers don't mind doing it, because they forget words sometimes too! Meds or no meds.

Something I find interersting is that I forget simple words more often when speaking than when I'm typing. I don't understand that.
 
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