Just Diagnosed, medication question

[shonafrances]

Some of you might have read my posts before, they were investigating if I had seizures, well update is I have just been diagnosed as having simple partial seizures. The diagnosis was mainly a relief as now I know what it is but also I guess I am trying to take in the fact I really do have a type of epilepsy. It is obviously no where near as bad as for those of you that have full on tonic clonics though of course.

I am holding off making any medication decisions until I have handed in my PhD in August as I am worried about side effects effecting my ability to write it, but the epilepsy Dr suggested if I did decide to go for medication it would be Lamotrigine. I just wondered what people's experience of this medication was? I know everyone is different but it would be helpful to hear of first hand experience of it.

Thank you!

 

[Soniag]

my main side affects are dizziness and sometimes blurry vision, everyone is different though and you might have less side affects than others. try it and see how you get on

 

[sjconner]

I am titrating up on it. I started it at the beginning of April. I am at 75 mg twice a day. I go up to 100 mg twice a day next week. I really haven't had many side effects. My period is a bit different; I am hoping that will settle shortly. I have had some strange and vivid dreams. I used to be cold all the time; I am warm now (more like a normal person). The dreams are starting to be less frequent. That's about it for me.

 

[JaneC]

My daughter has been on lamotrigine for around 10 months and I must say the side effects haven't been as bad as I feared they might be. She did drop from 150mg a day to 125 because it was affecting her concentration but that seems to have done the trick without too much of an effect on her seizure control. Do bear in mind the issues with lamotrigine and the contraceptive pill if that's an issue but overall I think it's a less "heavy-duty" AED than some.

 

[seizuregirl]

I'm on it now, I've been on it for 2yrs and the most trouble I've had with it is double vision from time to time, and drowsiness.

 

[shonafrances]

Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate it.

 

[Nakamova]

I've been on it about 5 years now. For the first two months, I was hyper-focused during the day and restless at night (light sleep/vivid nightmares). Since then, no cognitive side effects. My vision is blurry from time to time -- this means I have to squint, where before I had 20/20 vision.

 

[Wobblez]

Hi Shona,

Welcome to CWE! I hope you understand the genuine sentiment when I say congratulations on finally receiving a diagnosis! It's such a headache trying to work out what's going on, in some aspects having it confirmed is a liberating experience. What are you doing your PhD on?

I'm on Lamictal and I'm finishing my B.A. in psychology. I'm not sure if its the epilepsy or the Lamictal that causes the dizziness and blurry vision but I get that too. I always feel tired too but again, its hard to work out what causes what. I much prefer Lamictal to Epilim...that stuff was rough on me!