Medication side effects out of the blue that hit very hard

[masterjen]

I've been on my current dose of medications for about a month with minimal to no side effects. I'm extremely careful about medication timing, ensuring I don't take too many pills, etc. Non-drinker, nonsmoker, on no other medication (over the counter or prescription) or recreational drugs. Have been getting adequate sleep. I make sure I have something to eat when I take the medications. Hmm - I can't think of anything else to add, but feel free to ask. Anyway, after today's morning dose I was hit with very strong side effects that lasted particularly strong for about 2 hours: double vision, vertical nystagmus, couldn't walk straight, and for a short time in that 2 hours although I knew what I wanted to say a couple of times the words I planned to say didn't come out as I planned.
Aside from perhaps taking one pill too many (which I am so sure I didn't), what could have caused this??? Any thoughts appreciated

 

[valeriedl]

I've been on the same meds and dosages for years. Like you I always take them on time and make sure I take the right dosage. I have missed or taken too many pills before. I don't know it till I get into my pill case and find it's still in there or not in there, but I don't think I've never had any problems from that.

A little over a year ago I started to get double vision. I couldn't walk strait and it would make me sick. I had to keep one eye shut to be able to do everything ok. It would last for a few hours and I'd have to lay down with my eyes shut until it went away.

My dr told me that it was a side effect of Tegretol (I think), and it was something that could happen.

Do you think that the times that you weren't able to talk right could have been small seizures? I have ones like that. I know exactly what I'm saying but it's not anything close to what's actually coming out of my mouth.

 

[masterjen]

I hadn't considered small seizures as being a part of not being able to talk right, as I haven't had this before. My seizures are nocturnal complex partial, so I don't know if my speech is ever affected. I had daytime simple partial for a year (with no effects on speech) but they have been largely controlled for the past 2 years - the only time they return is post nocturnal seizure. Huh . . . perhaps I'm in new territory here.

 

[chmmr]

I was thinking the same thing as valeriedl that it sounded more like seizures, than side effects. Hope you get it figured out!

 

[KaySara]

My seizures are mainly nocturnal so I dont know except that next day I am tired and have a headache. But regarding speech, I often just dont speak because I know that the words wont come out as I wish them to. I am on the same medication for some months and I am taking a note of the side effects which includes the lack of speech at times and I shall report to my doctor come September. No, I have no solution for you now, sorry but if I do get one I shall beglad to report. I hope not small seizures as I have enough during my sleep......

 

[valeriedl]

My seizures are mainly nocturnal so I dont know except that next day I am tired and have a headache. But regarding speech, I often just dont speak because I know that the words wont come out as I wish them to. I am on the same medication for some months and I am taking a note of the side effects which includes the lack of speech at times and I shall report to my doctor come September. No, I have no solution for you now, sorry but if I do get one I shall beglad to report. I hope not small seizures as I have enough during my sleep......

Being on medicine for only a few months really isn't that long and side effects can pop up in that time.

You're doing a good job of keeping track of things too. This helps the dr understand more about what's going on.

 

[KaySara]

Its a full moon tonight and I believe that has an ill effect on me. In fact everything effects me and the present time I am very weepy for no reason at all. Its rather embarrassing I just break down, no control....