Info Urgently Required!!

[bonnie18]

Hey Everyone! I am new to this site and after many failed attempts to find some useful information I came across this web. I am looking at starting a family but want to know if anyone has had a baby whilst taking Topamax? From the info on the web it doesnt look very safe but my Neuro doesnt seem to think there is much to worry about! I would help put my mind to rest if someone out there has actually been through and could offer some advise???
I have had epilepsy for 7 years, I am only young still and have been told that the healthier an younger I am the best chance there will be no harm to my baby. Any advise anyone has would be greatly appreciated!! THANKYOU!!

 

[Meetz1064]

Personally, I

have not used Topamax while I have been pregnant, but I think that there have been a few members that have. In the meantime, you DO need to get started taking folic acid, no matter what type of AED you're on......

 

[bonnie18]

Thank you!! I have been on Elevit for about 4 months now. Wanted to make sure I was well and truly covered. I just worry that the info my Neuro has provided may not be so much for the babies needs and more for my own. I will be seeing a specialist asap but thought this may also be a good way to find out some info. Thank you for your response! Really appreciate it!

 

[Meetz1064]

What has

your neurologist told you? Or NOT told you?

 

[bonnie18]

He said that because I am young and healthy there is very slim chance of anything going wrong. Like a 3 - 4% chance. For someone not on any medication it would be 1 - 2%. The chances increase with age and the less I look after myself ect. He said that the drug is a new one so it is cleaner as apose to some of the old drugs which they have more concerns about. Its just that any research I have done myself on the net has shown that there have been a number of problems found with tests but they were done with animals. There havnt been many tests on actual pregnant woman. I am a little worried about that.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Bonnie --

Unfortunately, there are risks both with medication and without, so it's a judgement call best made by you and your doctor. Topomax has the same track record as most of the newer AEDs out there (such as Neurontin and Lamictal). The vast majority of pregnancies while the mother is on an AED are successful, with no birth defects. Monotherapy (one AED) is safer than polytherapy (more than one AED). While babies born to a mother taking a single AED have a higher chance of having a birth defect than babies born to a mother with epilepsy who was not on an AED during the pregnancy, there are other risks to consider, such as a fall during a seizure causing injury to either the mother or the fetus.

 

[Meetz1064]

There is

a pregnancy registry, but for the life of me, I can't find the link right now....I'll have to look for it, and get back to you on that one.....

 

[bonnie18]

Thank you for that information! There is alot to think about even further then the normal things to do with a pregnancy. I have already been trialed off of my medication in preperation for pregnancy but after 3 months clear, the seizures started to come back so that really is not an option! We have just had to go on the lowest dose my body will accept and keep control. Hopefully this specialist is a good one and can provide alot of information.

 

[Bernard]

a pregnancy registry, but for the life of me, I can't find the link right now....I'll have to look for it, and get back to you on that one.....

It's listed on the CWE resources page:

http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/

AFAIK, all AEDs carry increased risk of birth defects for the fetus. The risks are still small, but they exist none-the-less. Good pre-natal care (nutricion) is essential IMO.