Meds aren't working?

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EllyPaddington

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I've been on Lamotrigine for weeks now and it worked for a while but now I'm just having the same seizures as I had before and the same frequency. I am upping the dose on Friday to 100mg but it just hasn't been working. Going to another neurologist so should I just ask what I can do to make it better? Thanks :) xx
 
Hi Elly, do you mean you're upping to 100mg a day or 100mg x2 a day? My daughter has very good seizure control on 150 a day, markedly less on 125 so even small dose increase can make quite a big difference.
 
Elly,

You may need to up the dosage of Lamictal or add another AED to the mix. Some times seizures change or become more frequent over time, depending on what type of seizure(s). Or change medication completely. There are plenty of AED's now.
 
Never hurts to get a second opinion, Elly. I don't know where I'd be if I didn't!
Also, my neurologist says he has found that it takes a total dose of 100 - 150 mg to even get an idea if Lamictal is going to work or not, and then often the dose is increased from there if it is showing signs of working IF it is being used in monotherapy. As for multiple drug therapy, I'm not sure that this would apply.
 
Through my experiences, yes, you should ask what could make it better.
But dont loose confidence, in either yourself or you neurologist.
It has taken me years to control my epilepsy ... it started at 21, and now in the last 25 years of my life it has been controlled. It was a rough road, going on one drug, taking me off another. Dont be afraid of increasing amounts, but also be well informed when its doing you more harm than good.
I was blessed with a special neurolgist ... who constantly was switching meds for me until i was controlled ... it was a rough and rocky road .. but the end result fabulous.

d-mo
 
My seizures are controlled on 150mg/day -- but as they say, your mileage may vary. For many, my dosage would be considered to be on the low side. There is no absolute therapeutic dose for Lamictal. The target dose is what works for any given individual. For some people that dose is 600mg per day or higher. So it's worth discussing increasing your dose with your neurologist, and/or getting an additional opinion if you feel it will make the next step (increase dose, add-on a med, or switch to a different med) clearer.
 
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