Medication & Pregnancy

[bridge]

Hey all... I am not pregnant now, but we would like to start soon. I am currently taking Phenytoin 300mg day, he took me off of that and tried me on the Keppra (generic) that wasn't so great for me so he put me back on the Phenytoin ( I was taking this since September). I actually was bored looking online, and read that Phenytoin was actually one of the bad medications to be on which have b'een known to cause birth defects, heart problems etc, along with Valproate and Trimethidone, 2 of which I have never heard of.

Anyways, I was curious to all of you mothers out there, what medication were you on through your pregnancy, and how was everything?? Were there any complications? Anything I may want to ask my doctor before we start trying to conceive? What medication you were on? Also, I have had 2 Tonic Clonic seizures in my sleep in the past 7 months, I also think, but I'm sure that I also have those simple focal seizures too, I believe I had those when I was younger, but never had a problem with it. I kind of just dismissed it... Anyways, I greatly appreciate any feedback I may get. Thanks Again!!!!

Bridge

 

[Nakamova]

Hi bridge, I haven't had kids myself, but quite a few of our members have. You're right, phenytoin isn't considered one of the safer meds. All of the meds carry some risks, but the newer ones like Lamictal have a better track record.

Very important: If you aren't already, start taking a folic acid supplement NOW. It plays a key role in protecting the baby against some of the med side effects early in the first trimester, so it's important to be on it before you get pregnant.

I'm sure folks will chime in with advice, but in the meantime here are some threads that might be of interest.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f42/if-youre-thinking-getting-pregnant-9721/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/tegretol-xr-pregnancy-7408/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/lamotrigine-epilepsy-drugs-birth-defects-497/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/hello-pregnant-epileptic-11933/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/tegretol-xr-pregnancy-7408/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/keppra-pregnancy-15249/

 

[bridge]

Thanks for your response Nakamova. I found those links helpful. I am taking a folic acid supplement, I started taking it in November. I think my dr switched me to Keppra, since I was curious about making sure my medication would be safe if I were to get pregnant. That made me crazy, so I just recently was taken off. Now I am here taking Phenytoin and researching this has kinda freaked me out.. Now I am so curious on which med I should switch to. I don't want those side effects that the Keppra gave me again.. That was horrible... Thanks!!!