I have focal seizures. I've been on lamictal, Keppra and now trileptal. Lamictal worked but I had a few break through auras, would drop things all the time and couldn't remember words or they would come out wrong. I also had no memory. It gave me horrible acne. I tried every medication the dermatologist gave me and nothing worked. My doctor switched me to Keppra. I had horrible mood swings. I was mean. I have 3 young kids and it wasn't fair to them to have a mom that yells all the time. Trileptal is working but I'm a zombie. I sleep all day. I have no memory. I forget my phone number, my kids birthdays. I'm constipated and just not living my life to the fullest. I tried to talk to my dr. She lowered my dose but no change. Now the kicker. I have been a stay at home mom for 7 years. My husband is laid off and I need to go back to work. Just thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach. I have horrible anxiety, always have. I can't remember simple things. I have a hard time organizing my thoughts now. I almost feel like someone suffering from ADD. I'm scared and I don't think I can do it. I'm so depressed. I just feel lost and needed to vent. Thanks for listening.
Issues with meds and scared to rejoin the workforce.
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Janus
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Shoot! For what its worth, I have medication for clinical depression as well as epilepsy. I think you sound like a great mom and I hope you can find the right med and right amount to work out for you. I have disability for living expenses and meds etc. I am not saying that is right for you but have you been able to explore all your options? Hope it goes smoothly.
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I've never been on keppra, but have been on trileptal (d/c'd because of an allergic reaction), and I'm currently on lamotrigine. I hear ya about the cognitive issues. I have the "wording up my mixes" problem lol. Forgetful as all hell. I'm about to have the dosage increased, so I can only imagine how bad my "stupids" are going to get. I can say, it's not as bad as when I was on topiramate (topamax... they call it dopamax for a very good reason!) I forgot what the washing machine was called. "That thing... you know. The thing that washes clothes...?" LOL. I got so much crap from my daughter for that one.
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As Janus said, I take a med for clinical depression, too. Along with 3000 mgs. of Keppra and a low dosage of Topomax. Some of the AED's do make the depression worse and some are actually used as mood stabilizers. Have you spoken to your neuro about your anxiety/depression?