Seizures stopped, now came back... What happened?

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resaebiunne

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Yeah so... Back in December right before Christmas roughly speaking, my Topamax got increased in dosage to 400mg a day. Now right around the same time I also quit my full time job. I noticed 2 or 3 weeks later that I hadn't had ANY seizures at all and this is ultra amazing because this NEVER happens. I had a few random seizures here and there but nothing like before. Now I thought I was the medication, but I don't think so because I quit my job at the same time and I think that had something to do with it. Fast forward to Friday last week, and my seizures came back, just like that! Now I'm back to having several seizures a day, maybe 6 or 7 a day even, and it's been that way since!

On another note, one of my meds, either the Depakote or the Topamax is giving me really bad diarrhea. Hopefully it's the Depakote, but I guess it doesn't matter really.

Anyway, what in the world is going on here? This is nuts! The only thing I can think of that is going on right now is that I'm moving this week and the stress is triggering my seizures.

Any thoughts?
 
On average I have about 5 seizures a month. There have been quite a few times that I'll go 3 weeks without having a seizure. I'll think "Am I going to go a full month without a seizure!!!!" Next thing I know I'll have 2 or 3 seizures that 4th month. It's less than I normally have but I still had them.

I've been on Depakote for years and I don't remember the last time I've had a solid stool, no matter what I eat. One of the side effects of Depakote is diarrhea so that could very well be what is causing it. Diarrhea is also a side effect of Topamax too.
 
Rats about the diarrhea... It's ultra annoying. Some days I'll be going out for lunch and a bathroom won't be convenient. If I eat something it literally goes right through me, takes about 15-20 minutes. I don't know how my stomach can digest anything in 20 minutes. When I do finally get to the bathroom, the ensuing eruption is head turning if there's anyone else in the bathroom.
 
Hi resaebiunne,

What could be triggering more seizures is the diarrhea and your stomach being a little off. Another thing I've noticed over the yrs. is when I'm not working during the summer months I have fewer seizures and I'm sure a lot of that is do to stress. Also have you ever noticed if you have more seizures at certain times of the yr. I have fewer in the spring and summer because there's more serotonin and now with us gaining more light maybe this is what could be triggering your seizrues. My Epileptologist calls them "seasonal seizures" You also may want to check with your pharmacist to see if the Depakote or Topamax is causing you to have more seizures. I know when I was on Topamax my seizures increased a lot. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue
 
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resaebiunne said:
Rats about the diarrhea... It's ultra annoying. Some days I'll be going out for lunch and a bathroom won't be convenient. If I eat something it literally goes right through me, takes about 15-20 minutes. I don't know how my stomach can digest anything in 20 minutes. When I do finally get to the bathroom, the ensuing eruption is head turning if there's anyone else in the bathroom.
Click to expand...

Exactly the same thing with me. For some reason I just can't poop in a public restroom unless I absolutely can't hold it so when I get home I literally run to the bathroom to go.

Another thing I've found that I can't pass gas unless I'm on the toilet because something usually comes out too along with the gas.
 
valeriedl said:
Exactly the same thing with me. For some reason I just can't poop in a public restroom unless I absolutely can't hold it so when I get home I literally run to the bathroom to go.

Another thing I've found that I can't pass gas unless I'm on the toilet because something usually comes out too along with the gas.
Click to expand...

Same things here, and it's really hard to deal with because I've always had problems with gas. At one job they had a cafeteria that practically encouraged gas with the ingredients they used in their food. It was tasty food, but my colleagues hated me lol.

Between the lack of appetite and the diarrhea I don't think I can handle either of these drugs. :mad:

They should give you a serious warning with this med: "Gives you the squirts". :banana:

Edit: Oh, and another thing. Not to get gory, but I literally have BLEEDING back there from wiping. This is one of the reasons why I think I need off the meds. I need to get to a doc soon about this.
 
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resaebiunne said:
Edit: Oh, and another thing. Not to get gory, but I literally have BLEEDING back there from wiping. This is one of the reasons why I think I need off the meds. I need to get to a doc soon about this.
Click to expand...

My husband has this problem at times because of a medical condition he has and he'll use baby wipes instead of toilet paper. You can throw them away after you use them and I think there are ones you can flush down the toilet.
 
I was on Topamax, but it caused me to be "loopy". I'm off it now I'm on Zonisamide which may be causing my diarrhea.
 
If the Topamax is giving you diarrhea, you might be better off. I take 400mg/day, and despite eating a very high fiber diet, I'm still constipated a lot of the time. Half the time, when I do go, it's like not even going.
 
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The problem is I have no real options left as far as medications go. My epileptologist has tried me on all medications that are relevant to my types of seizures and none of them have controlled my epilepsy. The topamax may be working (I think it is!) so I may be stuck on it.
 
I see what you mean, every med has benefit and downfalls. I'm getting off Zonisamide if it caused that grand mal last night. But no more diarrhea.
 
I'm in the same position when it comes to meds. I get simple and complex partials, & I've taken every AED out there. I'm currently on 400mg/day Topamax, 100mg/day Zonisamide, & 200mg/day Vimpat. I was on 400mg/day Vimpat with the Topamax, & did okay--1-3 breakthroughs/month. Due to a change in our insurance, my neurologist is trying to switch the Vimpat with Zonisamide. That's the only one I hadn't tried until now, but until Vimpat is completely out of my system, I won't know if it's really working for me.
 
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