Is this anything?

[CathyAnn31]

Felt a little 'off' and a little headachy when I woke up this morning. I took my lamictal on an empty stomach and was still a little shaky at lunch, this isn't unusual, it happens sometimes and is something Ive learned to deal with.

A few hours later my daughter and I went shopping at Target. I felt weird still. We then go next door to a pet store. I really begin feeling strange. I had to take off my coat and hand my purse to my daughter. I was a bit unsteady and dropped a few packs of guinea pig treats. I felt a little pannickly thinking I was going to have a tonic clonic in the store in front of everyone and cause a scene. We then walk out to the car in the 20 degree weather and I felt fine without my coat, I was even wearing short sleeves. Not cold at all.

After that we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. We ran into a family we knew, and I wasnt in the mood to chat. I was so very spacy and didn't want to appear funny- they don't know about my epilepsy. I wasnt watching where I was going and knocked over a few boxes of cookies by the bakery. I felt so very spacy. I didn't have my list, so we had to go back and forth a few times thru the store for certain things. Finally I just asked my daughter to go grab what we needed because I just wanted to stay still. I was a little confused, the store seemed busy and I felt a little reckless with the cart because we were going back and forth. We went to the meat counter and I asked a few questions about shrimp. I didnt quite understand what the guy was saying. Then he just said, "ma'am, its the same ones I just told you about". Still didnt make sense to me, lol.

I get home and everyone comes out and grabs shopping bags and brings them in. I was so very out of it. I felt like I was on drugs all day. Kind of like the lights were on but no one was home.

What was this??? Even 14 hrs later I still feel this way, mild headache, kind of feels like Ive been wearing glasses that were too tight. I dont even wear glasses.

Any guesses?

(I've felt similiar on occassion, but this one was the worst.)

Thanks.

 

[Meetz1064]

That sounds

like a complex partial seizure, Cathy. If you 've felt this way before, a trip to the neuro is due, and possibly an increase in meds.......and maybe work on your diet? Make sure you're NOT taking in any triggers.....

 

[Nakamova]

I agree with Meetz -- sound like the meds aren't doing the trick. Are you sensitive at all to fluorescent lights? Maybe the lighting at Target and the grocery store made things worse. Also if low blood sugar is a trigger, make sure you're getting breakfast and proper nutrition. It can help to take the Lamictal with food (I've found that if I don't I'm more likely to feel dizzy).

 

[CathyAnn31]

Thank you ladies for the posts.

Is it common for those to last all day long without much of a break in between?

I'm still learning.

 

[McGill]

Cathy, Meetz & Nakamova are correct! I've had those experiences and they're not funny!!. My first question to you is this: how long have you been on your current Rx? It's possible that you're beginning to "tolerate" them (they're no longer being effective anti-convulsants for you). A neurological consult is in order!!

Other questions which come to mind is these: did you accidentally OD yourself on the Rx OR should you have taken food with your Rx and this is another side effect of not taking food with your Rx? I may be off base with this (and I mean no disrespect by asking it - seriously!) is it possible that a hormonal issue might be at play with your Rx?

Your lack of balance is what makes me ask about the OD, given my experiences this past summer thanks to the dr.'s error and blood test results! Please check with your pharmacist immediately, if you can copy and describe all what you have posted on this thread. Jus my :twocents: on the issue, for what it's worth!

To answer your question, I experienced that effect as long as I was on too much Rx OR if I was titrated off an old Rx too quickly and yes, it lasted for several days with me. Again, please consult your pharmacist & drs. ASAP!!

 

[CathyAnn31]

Thanks McGill.

I've read that my meds can be taken with or without food including on an empty stomach.

I started taking Lamictal XR at the beginning of Sept 09 and titrated up very slowly. I am now at the dose my Dr wanted of 200 mg a day.

I am certain there's been no overdose. I am still using samples in blister packs and I write down the day so I don't forget and take too much or too little.

As far as hormones go, perhaps that has something to do with it. I racked my brain when I had those 2 T/Cs because they happened during 2 completely different circumstances and all I could figure was that both were during ovulation smack dab in the middle of my cycle, not during menstruation. I am about in the middle this month too, so you may be onto something. I just googed catamenial epilepsy most was all mumbo jumbo to me, however I did find this:

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/catamenial_patterns.html

"In a normally menstruating woman, the surge of serum estrogen levels at the time of ovulation may be associated with increased seizure tendency; as may the fall in serum progesterone levels just before and during menstruation."

Now it makes me wonder if my meds do have the t/c's under control but my seizures now manifest themselves as complex partials?

When the "off" days happen, they usually last all day long.

Thanks again.

 

[McGill]

My guess would have to be the hormonal issue and their effect with the control of your p/c seizures. Please ask your drs. about this and keep a journal of when these begin and end. It could be that you might need new Rx if the lamictal isn't doing its job thoroughly enough. Again, just my :twocents: worth.

 

[Meetz1064]

Yup, a

journal is in order to keep track of these.

But to answer your other question, YES they can go on all day long with no break in between, BUT it's not necessarily common. If that's the case, you need to get to a doctor promptly, preferably that day, even if it means a trip to the ER. There is the possiblity of Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus to consider.......and though that's not common, it does need to be treated promptly.

Call your neuro first thing tomorrow. You may have to up your meds or add another. See what they say. And if it keeps happening today, go to the ER. They can page your doctor from there.

 

[CathyAnn31]

I have an update.

I saw my Neuro yesterday and described all my symptoms. He did the usual workup of watching me walk, testing my memory, etc. His conclusion was that I was overdosing on my meds. He's knocked me back down to 150mg instead of 200, and sent me to the lab for some blood work to check my levels.

Its funny, I remember having such a hard transsition going from 150 to 200mg. I often thought to myself how much better I felt on the lower dose. Hopefully this will fix me right up.

I did get a little turned off when I asked if my seizures could have changed, and when I told him I thought they were related to horemones. He wasnt concerned in either.

I'll tell you one thing. If I don't improve I will find another neuro, one that specializes in elilepsy.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[McGill]

Cathy Ann, I'm not surprised about the OD in the Rx. I mentioned that earlier, especially when you were talking about your balance. It's wise for you to keep a journal of how things go for you when you notice certain things. It also helps the dr. - neurologist or your own GP. The bloodwork will indicate whether or not you were on too much Rx., as I found out this past summer. Also ask for a copy of your blood work results and keep them with your journal. It's your life, not the drs. They're not God and they make errors also! (It never hurts to do research on your own so that you'll be aware of what's going on. That's being pro-active with your health!)