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teresal

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I had nocturnal seizures 8 years ago, and I only took 100mg of Topamax, never had a problem. Now I am a 50 year old woman and all of a sudden I started having partial seizures. Now they have me on 200 topamax and Lamictal the starter pack so far... right now I just don't feel like myself. does it get better?? And I was wondering has anyone ever gotten ss disability due to seizures?? I use to be out going, but now I don't care to do anything. does this go away? Is this the meds. knowing I have seizures, just the stress of it all?? I think I am rambling now..... I do love this site though...:)
 
teresal

You are ok I am nearly the same age, feeling not right is probably the meds you are on so talking to your doctor about it would be a good idea. Most if no all of your feeling have a lot to do with your meds so definitely talk about changing them with your doctor, tell him how you are feeling and the stress this is putting you under.
 
Hi Teresal,
Have the meds been helping keep your partial seizures under control?

Epilepsy is a very unpredicatble medical condition, sometimes you just never know when it will rear its ugly head.
I had epilepsy as a baby/ toddler, I took tonic clonics from 9 months - 18 months then had no more seizures for 21 years. I started taking seizures again in 2002 when I was 24, after that I had auras, simple/complex partial seizures which became more regular as time went on. I ended up having brain surgery in March 2011 which has worked for me so far as I haven't had seizure since the surgery. But as I said epilepsy is unpredictable so even though I hope to be seizure free for the rest of my life I can't say I'll never have a seizure again.

I am not sure how hard it is to get the disability pension in America but here in Australia it is very hard to get disability pension for just epilepsy. I applied for the disability pension twice & both times I was knocked back. The 1st time was in 2004 not long after I was made redundant form a job I was working & it was knocked back because the people doing the assessment felt I could still work.
The 2nd time was in 2010 when I was going through the testing to have brain surgery because meds weren't helping control my seizures (mainly my auras or simple partials).
I was knocked back again because the assessor said to be eligible for the pension until after I had the surgery & told me that after I had the surgery if I continued to have seizures to try for the disability pension again. That did piss me off because in my eyes my neurologist had been treating my epilepsy since 2002 with meds but because the meds weren't helping control seizures we decided surgery was the next option.
 
That is what I have now is the simple/complex partial seizures. They are not as bad with the meds. but, I still have like "dream state" a few times a week. They only last maybe 10-20 seconds but, it's still enough that I can't drive. I think that might be part of my depression??? I've thought about applying but, I wanted to know if anyone on here has?? I am glad your surgery went well! I have thought about that but, thats a last resort isn't it?
 
teresal said:
That is what I have now is the simple/complex partial seizures. They are not as bad with the meds. but, I still have like "dream state" a few times a week. They only last maybe 10-20 seconds but, it's still enough that I can't drive. I think that might be part of my depression???
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When I used to have an aura I used to have a funny feeling in my head (hard to explain but my head felt funny or tingly) & used to have a strange dream come in my head. The dream I had was always the same kind of dream but the only time I ever remembered what the dream was about was when I would have the aura. The only thing I could actually tell you about the dream is I think it may have something to do with going somewhere.
When I felt this strange dream come in my head I usually realized I was having an aura or simple partial. I don't know for sure but think my auras or simple partials usually lasted less then a minute but I used to only remember the start of the funny dream then remember nothing until I came out of the seizure.

teresal said:
I am glad your surgery went well! I have thought about that but, thats a last resort isn't it?
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Thankyou :).
From 2002 - 2009 my neurologist tried me on 5 different epilepsy meds (I have been on a combination of at less 2 Anti Epilepsy Meds since 2004). None of the meds helped control my partials so my neurologist said there wasn't much more he could do so suggested I consider surgery & referred me to an epitiologist. There was a lot of testing involved with the surgery because the specialists had to make sure that it was safe for me to have the surgery & I was both physically as well as mentally ready for surgery.

There are other members on here who have depression along with epilepsy so I'm sure they will give their input.
 
I had nocturnal seizures 8 years ago, and I only took 100mg of Topamax, never had a problem. Now I am a 50 year old woman and all of a sudden I started having partial seizures.
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The new-onset partial seizures could be due to fluctuating hormones. Broadly speaking, high estrogen can trigger seizures, and high progesterone can help keep estrogen spikes in check. With perimenopause (maybe starting to hit you now?) estrogen levels start to drop -- which can be a good thing for women with epilepsy. Unfortunately, progesterone levels drop too, and if they drop faster than the estrogen levels, some women experience new or increased seizures. You might want to ask your doc if hormones could be playing a role, and if treatment with progesterone cream or lozenges might help.

And hang in there -- as you increase the Lamictal you may find it helps too. I know it's hard to be patient with the the trial-and-error of the meds, but it can be worth it to find the med or med combo that works best.
 
With women that are premenopause have you heard of the cream or lozenges working? I will be looking it to it... My nuro had told me to see my gyno. but, said it's not the cause of my seizures. she said they will never go away.I was hoping when the hormones were done the seizures would be done.... wishful thinking.... but, I think I will still look into it.
 
My neuro had told me to see my gyno. but, said it's not the cause of my seizures. she said they will never go away.
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Boy, your neuro sounds like a real downer! There's a chance that your seizures will go away, you never know. And there's a chance that hormones are playing a role. Maybe you can find a new neurologist? Right now, let's hope the meds do the trick to get the partials under control. Below are links with info about progesterone treatment. Progesterone doesn't work for everyone, but a small subset can benefit.
http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/catamenial_treatment.html
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/754792
 
Nakamova said:
The new-onset partial seizures could be due to fluctuating hormones. Broadly speaking, high estrogen can trigger seizures, and high progesterone can help keep estrogen spikes in check. With perimenopause (maybe starting to hit you now?) estrogen levels start to drop -- which can be a good thing for women with epilepsy. Unfortunately, progesterone levels drop too, and if they drop faster than the estrogen levels, some women experience new or increased seizures. You might want to ask your doc if hormones could be playing a role, and if treatment with progesterone cream or lozenges might help.

And hang in there -- as you increase the Lamictal you may find it helps too. I know it's hard to be patient with the the trial-and-error of the meds, but it can be worth it to find the med or med combo that works best.
Click to expand...

i am post menstral but on higher dose of hrt i tried come off but it upsets my e and awful head aches and i had breast cancer so should not be on it,i dam if do dam if dont....this cream sound good idea,you dont shove it up fanny do you...cos aint nothing going up there unless sean connery attached to it
 
If your seizures are sensitive to estrogen, then HRT may be making things worse. Progesterone can help a small number of people, but it's not a widespread therapy yet. Something to ask your neuro or gynecologist about.
 
I have the same type of E. as you. I'm 60 years old. I take Dilantin 100mg twice a day and Clonazepam 0.5 mg, 1/2 tablet every 4 hours round the clock except at 10:00PM I take 1 whole tablet of the Clonazepam.
 
I had my first witnessed GTC sz just over 30 years ago. Medication (currently Lamictal and Trileptal) has been effective at controlling those, but I have both simple and complex partial szs farily frequently. They tend to come in clusters and I have probably an average of 350 to 400 per year. All that said, I have continued to work full time, be a husband and father, and do all sorts of stuff. While the szs are a part of who I am, and I feel better or worse from time to time, the initial desire to disappear went away a long time ago. I would think that for you the feelings you have will go away, or at least subside, when you get on the right dose of the right med. That may take some trial and error. I had a short trial of Keppra and Zonegran, and both of them made me feel like I wanted to jump under a train. They were awful! I did OK on Dilantin for about 15 years, but it started getting to my gums. Lamictal has been good to me, overall, and I just added trileptal, which seems to be reducing the szs somewhat. Carry on! You're young yet!!! (Younger than me, and I still consider myself young!)
 
That is good to hear...:) The only thing I really hate about the meds is that I feel so tired! I am glad to hear that might pass?? Maybe the depression is the whole being diagnosed,and being put on the meds that make you feel tired, I sure hope that goes away! Did any of your meds make you tired when you first started taking them???
 
yes, I was so tired when I was first put on meds. after being diag. in 1972.

I didn't tell my boss, I went to sleep at my desk. One of the girls that worked for me, woke me up. I then went into my boss office and told him.
 
My meds still can make me tired if I take a little too much, but if I take too little then the small szs make me tired. It really is a balancing act, but I think I'm kind of where I need to be. I'm sure you will find an equilibrium. Be patient, and don't be afraid to try other meds or to reject a med if you know it's making you feel bad.
Onward!
 
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