Today my Doctor told me to choose between Lamictal and a new drug (supposedly new) called Vimpat. Does anyone know about Vimpat. I am on Neutontin and Topamax and am having problwms with Topamax so they decided I may be able to change. I was on Keppra and topamax, but the side effects from the Keppra were devastating. The Topamax works for the seizures and my migraines. Now they will use Inderal for the Migraines and either of the two drugs above for the seizures. I have not used either one. I hope someone can tell me about both drugs. I am nervous about changing.
Drug option
- Thread starter NeeLee
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Hi NeeLee, check out this thread:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/new-drug-vimpat-8966/
You can also search for other CWE comments on Vimpat using the search tab at the top.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/new-drug-vimpat-8966/
You can also search for other CWE comments on Vimpat using the search tab at the top.
I was on Vimpat for almost a year and my doctor took me off of it a few months ago because it really wasn't helping me much at all. I was on Lamictal a few years ago for a couple years but started having side effects from it and my doctor changed my meds again.
Thanks for the information Scott. You sound like you have my problem. I am don't deal well with the side effects and keep chaning medications. That is why I am so concerned about changing again. Between the seizures and the migraines I have gone through most of the meds. available. I am terrified to try Lamictal. Ssoo many people have a hard time with those side effects and I hearv impat does not work very often. I can't afford to take chances now, my doctor warned me that although I have been seizure free for almost three years, a seizure now could be deadly. I can't afford to procrastinate. Side effects or not. But thanks for the advice. to all. I am researching. I do hjave to check with my other doctors to see which drug will be the less harmful for my other illnesses.
Vimpat did not agree with my Lamictal very well. When I added it I started clenching my teeth and biting my tongue in the night, as well as having more partials. But then I reduced my Vimpat, and that seems to have subsided, and I have a fair degree of control. So, I have chosen C) all of the above, which you probably do not want to do. I think, however that most people do not have a problem with the Vimpat, and it has relatively few documented side effects, so that might be a good choice, though I like the Lamictal. Are you looking for a single therapy drug, or a back-up drug? Vimpat is usually used in conjunction with another AED, though not necessarily, whereas Lamictal is more frequently used as a stand-alone. Just some things to consider.
Ann T.
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Hi, NeeLee 
Glad you could join us @ CWE. I'm on 400mg Vimpat total (200 mg A.M. & 200 mg P.M.) The most bothersome side effects I've experienced are unsteadiness, constant lingering headache (starts in the back of head & moves to in between my ears) & believe it or not, constant hunger pangs, even though I eat to try to calm them. Your side effects could be totally different, & they may be. If you'd like, please check out vimpat.com for more info. Vimpat was prescribed for me as an add-on med. I also take Keppra & Lyrica. So, right now I'm tinkering w/ the times of all the meds I take to reduce the side effects. Regardless of what you decide, NeeLee, you can count on me for support. Take care, NeeLee.
Glad you could join us @ CWE. I'm on 400mg Vimpat total (200 mg A.M. & 200 mg P.M.) The most bothersome side effects I've experienced are unsteadiness, constant lingering headache (starts in the back of head & moves to in between my ears) & believe it or not, constant hunger pangs, even though I eat to try to calm them. Your side effects could be totally different, & they may be. If you'd like, please check out vimpat.com for more info. Vimpat was prescribed for me as an add-on med. I also take Keppra & Lyrica. So, right now I'm tinkering w/ the times of all the meds I take to reduce the side effects. Regardless of what you decide, NeeLee, you can count on me for support. Take care, NeeLee.
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Crystal11
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I am now taking Keppra XR 3000mg and Lamictal XR 400mg a day and I am doing quite well. I was nervous too to try and change meds again. I was a mess on Tegretol XR a lone and it left me mentally a mess- constant worry, fear of death, no sleep and overall just not myself.
Neuro took me off of that and started Keppra XR, then later added Tegretol XR to it. So far so good.
Then this year, I was given Lamictal XR 400mg a day added to my Keppra XR 3000mg and Tegretol XR 600mg. SO I told my neuro that I did not want to be on three meds. That is just too many and just don't like the feeling of being on so much stuff if I can manage with one or two. I already don't like being on two!
So now its just Keppra XR and Lamictal XR and my seizure control has been improving which is awesome. I have complex partial seizure and used to have up to 20 a day of the shorter ones 45sec or less, and 1-3 min complex partial during a month.
Now I hardly ever have a longer seizure and will have some shorter ones here and there but it doesn't interupt my life like they did before- and I was in college during this big change of meds and worsening seizures..
I was also diagnosed with Migraine w/aura in January even though I had a few while in my last few semesters in college. They weren't as bad as the one I had 1week before my neuro appointment. It lasted 4 days and it made me so so sick.
I just had to sit there, with my head on fire and in the cold, dark and quietness of my room. I told my neuro about it and was diagnosed. They didn't give me anything for it and I just thought maybe they are waiting until things are less controlled as far as migraines go. I wrote when I had them and that is about it.
My worst migraine was probably two months later and I thought I would eat first, then take meds and see how I feel. Well, I ate, took my E meds, took 2 Excedrin and a tablespoon of Pepto just to be in misery. I went to the ER for Zofran IV and Phenergan shot. I had a reaction to the Phenergan and was catatonic and would not swallow or breath well, or even speak hardly at all. I was A MESS! Scared my twin and friend so bad they slept next to my bed just so they would be able to check on me.
Anyway..I now take Butalbital for the migraine and Trezix for neuralgia pain from Shingles/Zoster outbreak. Both meds are analgesics which help pain.
I also take Propranolol/Inderal for Tachycardia and Premature Atrial Contraction in my heart. Inderal is a med that lowers BP too- so I use 1 20mg Inderal along with the Butalbial to help the swelling vessles and keep my heart rate normal since I am sensitive to caffeine and it doesn't help the PACs/Tachy.
Most neuros think that the AEDs and Propranolol should do the trick and this is what I thought too until it wasn't working to control the migraines..
Sometimes you have to do the whole trail and error thing.
Neuros would rather see you taking the least amount of medications and get the most results. Sometimes it take a while to figure exactly which would work out.
Please take care
Crystal and her guide Umbro
Neuro took me off of that and started Keppra XR, then later added Tegretol XR to it. So far so good.
Then this year, I was given Lamictal XR 400mg a day added to my Keppra XR 3000mg and Tegretol XR 600mg. SO I told my neuro that I did not want to be on three meds. That is just too many and just don't like the feeling of being on so much stuff if I can manage with one or two. I already don't like being on two!
So now its just Keppra XR and Lamictal XR and my seizure control has been improving which is awesome. I have complex partial seizure and used to have up to 20 a day of the shorter ones 45sec or less, and 1-3 min complex partial during a month.
Now I hardly ever have a longer seizure and will have some shorter ones here and there but it doesn't interupt my life like they did before- and I was in college during this big change of meds and worsening seizures..
I was also diagnosed with Migraine w/aura in January even though I had a few while in my last few semesters in college. They weren't as bad as the one I had 1week before my neuro appointment. It lasted 4 days and it made me so so sick.
I just had to sit there, with my head on fire and in the cold, dark and quietness of my room. I told my neuro about it and was diagnosed. They didn't give me anything for it and I just thought maybe they are waiting until things are less controlled as far as migraines go. I wrote when I had them and that is about it.
My worst migraine was probably two months later and I thought I would eat first, then take meds and see how I feel. Well, I ate, took my E meds, took 2 Excedrin and a tablespoon of Pepto just to be in misery. I went to the ER for Zofran IV and Phenergan shot. I had a reaction to the Phenergan and was catatonic and would not swallow or breath well, or even speak hardly at all. I was A MESS! Scared my twin and friend so bad they slept next to my bed just so they would be able to check on me.
Anyway..I now take Butalbital for the migraine and Trezix for neuralgia pain from Shingles/Zoster outbreak. Both meds are analgesics which help pain.
I also take Propranolol/Inderal for Tachycardia and Premature Atrial Contraction in my heart. Inderal is a med that lowers BP too- so I use 1 20mg Inderal along with the Butalbial to help the swelling vessles and keep my heart rate normal since I am sensitive to caffeine and it doesn't help the PACs/Tachy.
Most neuros think that the AEDs and Propranolol should do the trick and this is what I thought too until it wasn't working to control the migraines..
Sometimes you have to do the whole trail and error thing.
Neuros would rather see you taking the least amount of medications and get the most results. Sometimes it take a while to figure exactly which would work out.
Please take care
Crystal and her guide Umbro
Ann, I thank you for your support. I had a really bad time with keppra. My personality was out of control and other side effects that I dealt that were unbearable, but amazing control over the seizures. I took that with the topamax and although my family suffered along with me, it was worth it until the weight gain and hair loss became too much and they switched me to neurontin with the topamax. Now the topamax is becoming too much and that is why I am offered the choice between vimpat and lamictal. I am really anxious about both drugs. I am very suseptible as far as side effects go and headaches do panic me because of my migraines. Still the lamictal also worries me and I am sort of "running in place" because I have gone through so many drugs unsuccessfully and I can't afford to make a mistake at this time. I also understand both drugs are very detrimental as far as my liver is concerned and I have an auto immune liver disease that is problematic. The topamax is not the best either, only the keppra was safest.
But, I will make a decision, and I do so appreciate your kind offer for continued support. Thank you again.
But, I will make a decision, and I do so appreciate your kind offer for continued support. Thank you again.
Hi Aubrey,
I am not happpy hearing some of your side effects with the lamictal. I am not sure what my doctor wants to do. I think he is going to eliminate the topamax and replace it with inderal that for the migraines. Then he will either use the lamctal for the seizures or vimpat with another drug that he has not mentioned. It is all too confusing now. Alll I know is the topamax has side effects that are intolerable and as usual with me I am now beyond tolerating. I have gone through this with so many drugs. I do okay for a time and then the side effects devastate me. I did last almost 4 years on the keppra and topamax, but it was a living nightmare. The fact the seizures and migraines were controlled were a blessing and so I lived with all the rest.
Now I have gone past that kind of tolerance and my doctors understand how I feel about it and are trying to make my life better.
Anyway, I will try and do more research and everyone writing and telling me their experiences does help and give me a better perspective.
Thank you for your time, I will check in.
I am not happpy hearing some of your side effects with the lamictal. I am not sure what my doctor wants to do. I think he is going to eliminate the topamax and replace it with inderal that for the migraines. Then he will either use the lamctal for the seizures or vimpat with another drug that he has not mentioned. It is all too confusing now. Alll I know is the topamax has side effects that are intolerable and as usual with me I am now beyond tolerating. I have gone through this with so many drugs. I do okay for a time and then the side effects devastate me. I did last almost 4 years on the keppra and topamax, but it was a living nightmare. The fact the seizures and migraines were controlled were a blessing and so I lived with all the rest.
Now I have gone past that kind of tolerance and my doctors understand how I feel about it and are trying to make my life better.
Anyway, I will try and do more research and everyone writing and telling me their experiences does help and give me a better perspective.
Thank you for your time, I will check in.