Fycompa/Perampanel 4-week update

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masterjen

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Just thought I'd update for anyone interested. As I mentioned in the previous update, Fycompa is a once per day (taken at night) medication. I was on 2 mg for 2 weeks, and have just finished 2 weeks at 4 mg.

I had no side-effects at 2 mg, but for the first week at 4 mg I would at times find myself inexplicably tired, usually in the late afternoon. This eased off during the 2nd week, however. Also at 4 mg I found that side-effects of imbalance and extreme fatigue would hit as soon as 20 min after taking it, so I quickly learned to take it and get into bed with little delay lol. The imbalance would still be an issue if I had to use the bathroom within 3 hours of going to bed, so I have had to change what I use to swallow down all the evening medications and instead of water I will eat a rice cracker and with each swallow throw another pill in my mouth until they're gone.

Another side effect I have noticed is leg weakness and my legs not quite behaving properly when I am walking at any time of the day. This is an issue for me anyway, and the medicine seems to be accentuating these difficulties. For others who do not have chronic neuropathy and ataxia as a result of another condition, though, they may not have these issues while on the medication, especially at this low dose.

Improvements in seizures are not expected until I start 6 mg, which begins tonight. The side effects are not enough to make me stop, especially as going from 2 to 4 mg was a doubling of the dose, whereas going from 4 to 6 mg is only a 50% increase.

For those in Canada, note that we do have to pay for this medication as it is too new to be recognized by pharmacare. Also, most extended health plans seem to cover 50% of the cost of this particular medication (and not the common 80%) for the same reason. Two weeks at 4 mg was $80 and 4 weeks at 6 mg is just over $150.
 
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I hope with tonight's increase you start to see seizure control. At that price there should be a guarantee or your money back...
 
My husband has neuropathy in his feet because of treatments he had for cancer 3 years ago that has not gone away. He says is horrible at times, especially when it's cold, and he really can't even feel his feet. I hope this goes away for you and the other side effects also.

Isn't the cost of meds just wonderful too!!!!
 
masterjen, would love to hear how this is going for you. I'm looking into Fycompa myself.
 
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