Figured out I have seizures in my sleep if I ...

[forward2007]

1) Take Melatonin+Benadryl. I don't know if it's just the melatonin or just the Benadryl or the two together. I didn't need to know bad enough to have a seizure that didn't have to happen.

2) Take Ambien. Somewhere I read it's the withdrawl of Ambien that can cause seizures.

 

[Endless]

Oh, my. Two of my *not* favorite drugs.

Benadryl gives me massive nosebleeds since I started on AEDs. Ambien makes me see double. At least more double than I see already.

I'm not surprised they cause seizures for you.

Here's info from the Benadryl package insert:

Adverse Reactions.

General: Urticaria, drug rash, anaphylactic shock, photosensitivity, excessive perspiration, chills, dryness of mouth, nose, and throat

Cardiovascular System: Hypotension, headache, palpitations, tachycardia, extrasystoles
Hematologic System: Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis

Nervous System: Sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, fatigue, confusion, restlessness, excitation, nervousness, tremor, irritability, insomnia, euphoria, paresthesia, blurred vision, diplopia, vertigo, tinnitus, acute labyrinthitis, neuritis, convulsions
Gl System: Epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
GU System: Urinary frequency, difficult urination, urinary retention, early menses
Respiratory System: Thickening of bronchial secretions, tightness of chest or throat and wheezing, nasal stuffiness

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=1029#nlm34084-4

And this, from the Ambien package insert:

Sedative/hypnotics have produced withdrawal signs and symptoms following abrupt discontinuation. These reported symptoms range from mild dysphoria and insomnia to a withdrawal syndrome that may include abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremors, and convulsions.

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=23798#nlm34084-4

I worry a lot about drug interactions, too. Drugs.com has a tool to look up any drug interactions. If they don't list any for you, that doesn't necessarily mean your drugs are okay together for you specifically, if you have special sensitivities. But it's a good place to start. You type in all your medications, and it checks for known interactions for you.
http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

Have your seizures calmed down now? How are you feeling?

 

[Nakamova]

The dose level of the melatonin could be a factor too. While it's generally safe, I think CWE member ColmanMac had more seizures when he took too high a dose of it. Melatonin has helped some CWE members with sleep, but it's safest to start at a low dose.

And yeah, Benadryl and Ambien can definitely mess with you. A friend of mine with insomnia swears by Ambien, but I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

I hope you can find a way to get some sleep without the meds causing more problems for you.

 

[forward2007]

Now I'm starting to second guess my theory about the benadryl and melatonin. As I posted in another post I have hypothyroidism and low testosterone. I thought for sure these were because of the 1200 mg/day of Tegreol XR I was taking. I had read Tegretol can lower the level of both thyroid and testosterone. I am in the process of replacing the Tegretol with Lamotrigene. I am taking the full 400 mg/day of Lamotrigene and am down to 600 mg/day of Tegretol. After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and low testosterone I was put on 50 mcg/day of synthroid and 1 ml of testosterone every two weeks.

I just got my levels of thyroid and testosterone re-checked. The testosterone is at 756. Normal range is 241-827. I was once at 243 before taking the replacement. The surprise was the the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is still at 7.3 even after taking the synthroid for at least two months. Normal range for TSH is .450-4.5. I then remember the post about thyroid and seizures.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/thyroid-dysfunction-seizures-2738/index2.html

The seizures I was having in my sleep might have been from the low thyroid I still have. The Dr told me to up my synthroid dose from 50 mcg/day to 75 mcg/day. It never ends. :soap:

 

[elizzza811]

Hmmm? Maybe I'll try the two before my video EEG?