Drugs losing efficacy over time

[Jdb]

Hi everyone,

I've been on sodium valproate for several years, which successfully kept me seizure free. Then about six months ago I started getting seizures again. Because of this my neurologist increased my dose, which worked for a few weeks, but then my seizure frequency increased again over time, and so my dose was increased again - which again worked for a few weeks, then a few less weeks, and so on. At present my seizures are still not controlled, and so I'm facing another dose increase. It would seem to me that my brain is becoming tolerant of the medication so that it no longer works, but my neurologist suggests that this shouldn't happen with this drug. My question to the community is therefore simply this: Has anyone else experienced their drugs just losing efficacy suddenly after many years? (I read this article - epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/tolerance-and-honeymoon-effect - but it seems to suggest that when such a problem occurs, it does so after a few weeks or months, not years.)

I've been given a choice between upping my dose again (though I'm not confident that more of the same would make any difference, and every increase brings increased side effects); adding in something else like Keppra (with its own scary potential side effects); or doing nothing and hoping that it improves on its own (would be wonderful if it did, but I have no idea how likely this is).

Thanks for any insight!

 

[masterjen]

I have been through the tolerance/honeymoon effect as well. My choice was eventually to add in another drug because when an increase in the first one was attempted the side effects were not tolerable. For me it worked to keep doses of both medications a little lower than the so-called standard, and this kept side effects manageable. It seems monotherapy is the preference, but side effects do need to be considered when the dose of the one medication is constantly increased.

 

[Belinda5000]

Hi everyone,

I've been on sodium valproate for several years, which successfully kept me seizure free. Then about six months ago I started getting seizures again. Because of this my neurologist increased my dose, which worked for a few weeks, but then my seizure frequency increased again over time, and so my dose was increased again - which again worked for a few weeks, then a few less weeks, and so on. At present my seizures are still not controlled, and so I'm facing another dose increase. It would seem to me that my brain is becoming tolerant of the medication so that it no longer works, but my neurologist suggests that this shouldn't happen with this drug. My question to the community is therefore simply this: Has anyone else experienced their drugs just losing efficacy suddenly after many years? (I read this article - epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/tolerance-and-honeymoon-effect - but it seems to suggest that when such a problem occurs, it does so after a few weeks or months, not years.)

I've been given a choice between upping my dose again (though I'm not confident that more of the same would make any difference, and every increase brings increased side effects); adding in something else like Keppra (with its own scary potential side effects); or doing nothing and hoping that it improves on its own (would be wonderful if it did, but I have no idea how likely this is).

Thanks for any insight!

It actually depends on the person and the type of seizures they have. I have been taking Tegretol since 1975 and have gone done in MG.Since I'm allergic there were a lot of drugs I can't, and I'm also med resistant and it left me little choice in 50+ years.

 

[resaebiunne]

I was put on Keppra after I started having generalized seizures about 3 months now (back in July). For about 4 weeks or so it controlled both of my seizure types (generalized and focal). Now, I'm back to having several focal seizures a day. Still waiting on EEG results from the hospital and my neurologist to see what the next step is. I started off at 2000mg of Keppra per day total, and after I told my neurologist I was having seizures again, she increased it to 3000 mg total per day, which had no affect on my seizures at all.

 

[seagull]

I found me jumpy also told lowere libo but that side not a problem I not had libedao in first place

 

[Cint]

At present my seizures are still not controlled, and so I'm facing another dose increase. It would seem to me that my brain is becoming tolerant of the medication so that it no longer works, but my neurologist suggests that this shouldn't happen with this drug. My question to the community is therefore simply this: Has anyone else experienced their drugs just losing efficacy suddenly after many years? (I read this article - epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/tolerance-and-honeymoon-effect - but it seems to suggest that when such a problem occurs, it does so after a few weeks or months, not years.)

After trying numerous meds for 35+ years, my seizures still are not controlled, either. Having your neurologist suggest that such a thing couldn't happen is ridiculous. IT DOES HAPPEN! It is called Refractory Epilepsy! Read here:

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/refractory-epilepsy

Are you seeing a neurologist or an epileptologist? Sounds like you need a specialist.

I've been given a choice between upping my dose again (though I'm not confident that more of the same would make any difference, and every increase brings increased side effects); adding in something else like Keppra (with its own scary potential side effects); or doing nothing and hoping that it improves on its own (would be wonderful if it did, but I have no idea how likely this is).

Thanks for any insight!

It all depends on the type(s) of seizure you experience. I have CP seizures with secondary generalized seizures, meaning sometimes I go into a bad T/C seizure, also. I currently take 3000 mgs. of Keppra along with some Topomax, but will be adding something else in the near future. Probably by doing nothing, your seizures will increase and you'll be sorry. Just my :twocents:

 

[gnault]

medications

I have been seizure free for roughly 12yrs. Initially I was on dilantin and switched to tegretol due to some minor side effects. After many years of being on the same dose my levels in my blood work started to drop with no change in dosage and my electrolytes to drop. Luckily no seizures. My neurologist then switched me to lamotrigine with no side effects or issues. I will always be on meds as I have what they believe is scar tissue on my brain and unable to determine the triggers or cause of my seizures.

 

[cat lover]

dilantin & tegretol has always been good meds for me for 56 years but now im finding out dilantin has done damage to the cerebrum & cereber [brain parts]. am in process of changing over to trogentral xr