i posted last summer - simple partials?

[SimplePartialGal]

Clonazepam. Brand name is Klonopin. My dose is 2 MG per day. I had it increased once, but have been on this dose for 15 years. This med is commonly known for anxiety. It also helps with some types of seizures. I have few side effects. I am not by any means a thin person, slightly obese. I am 50 years old. Why is the weight issue so important if I may ask?

 

[qtowngirl]

Hi - i was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago with complex partials - and i reacted quite badly to lamotrigine. I'm seeing a consultant tomorrow to discuss changing meds, but i have no idea what med to express a preference for, if any. I dont want to gain weight though, that part is crucial. What did you end up on?

And thanks xx

hi again leonie,
i reacted badly to lamotrigine the first time too, got the rash day one. my epileptologist took me off for a few days until the rash cleared, then we started again on a half dose (12.5mgs 2x). it worked, within the first week i had 'traces' of the rash once but it was minimal and went away right away. if you had the rash too or something similar i'd suggest that before switching altogether.
in the end, seizure management is the main thing, so on the chance it may work for you, maybe cut the doseage right down to see if you still react badly. of course if you do, give it up, but i'm sorry to say now that you're diagnosed, playing with doseages is all part of it, happens all the time.
and the weight gain can be a toughie, b/c what happens to one person doesn't necessarily happen to the next. take tegretol for example, many on the forum have talked about it putting on weight, but it's never caused me to gain even one pound.

 

[leoniedelt]

Clonazepam. Brand name is Klonopin. My dose is 2 MG per day. I had it increased once, but have been on this dose for 15 years. This med is commonly known for anxiety. It also helps with some types of seizures. I have few side effects. I am not by any means a thin person, slightly obese. I am 50 years old. Why is the weight issue so important if I may ask?

Two reasons. I'm 5'1. Last time i was on AEDs, 15 years ago, i was up over 200lbs because of valproate and gabapentin. I dont want to get that fat again, i am not as young as i used to be.

Second reason: i just lost 40lbs last year, i dont want it back.

I have been on clonazepam for 7 years, but it isnt holding these back for the last 18 months. They've been getting stronger, more frequent even on the clonazepam. Then again, i was only ever on 1mg max, i'm on 0.5mg now, and wanting off.

 

[leoniedelt]

hi again leonie,
i reacted badly to lamotrigine the first time too, got the rash day one. my epileptologist took me off for a few days until the rash cleared, then we started again on a half dose (12.5mgs 2x). it worked, within the first week i had 'traces' of the rash once but it was minimal and went away right away. if you had the rash too or something similar i'd suggest that before switching altogether.
in the end, seizure management is the main thing, so on the chance it may work for you, maybe cut the doseage right down to see if you still react badly. of course if you do, give it up, but i'm sorry to say now that you're diagnosed, playing with doseages is all part of it, happens all the time.
and the weight gain can be a toughie, b/c what happens to one person doesn't necessarily happen to the next. take tegretol for example, many on the forum have talked about it putting on weight, but it's never caused me to gain even one pound.

No, i know its not the same for everyone, i was just wondering.

It wasnt just the rash i had. In fact, i didnt have much rash at all. I had a fever, swollen lymph nodes, swollen knees and burning in my legs that rivalled shingles pain. I reacted systemically to the lamotrigine so i was just trying to get a feel for what people have used as an alternative. Its a crying shame because the lamotrigine really seemed to suit me well, otherwise!

 

[leoniedelt]

Topiramate and boosted clonazepam the week of my period. Yay for being listened to!