So now what

[hedtrouble]

I just went on in to have a look at depression & keppra on one of the sites that was recommended. So how does one distinguish between, "its epilepsy & depression" or "its keppra & depression. Does that make sense?? I don't have any family history, was adopted at birth. Must say though, today I've had to push myself to stay awake after taking the seroquel last night & pristiq this morning. Might go have a nap. Will catch you all later, Hed.

 

[Nakamova]

Hey hedtrouble -- unfortunately, you've hit the nail on the head (so to speak) about figuring out where the depression comes from and what to do about it. There is a strong correlation between E and depression, but the studies don't show whether there's a causal relation as well, and how big a role is played by the meds and/or social issues. In theory, you could wean off of the Keppra and see if you felt better. You would need to find another form of seizure control of course, and the process would require some patience (it can take awhile for the brain and body to re-adapt after the AED is out of the system).

In general, it's been found that depression responds well to exercise and talk therapy. (Antidepressants can help too, although in many of the studies, placebos scores just as high as the anti-depressants!). Can you add either of those things to your life right now?

Nap well,
Nakamova

 

[sbncmo]

hed, Can you kind of trace backward with your symptoms. For instance, When did your depression begin? When did you start taking each of your meds? I probably read it on one of your other posts, but when did you develop epilepsy? I know this can be hard to do because the epilepsy, the meds & the depression can make it hard to separate & distinguish when each thing started or to even think clearly at all.

You are taking keppra, seroquel & pristiq - all of which affect the emotions. If you can get a clear head for a few moments, write down when you developed epilepsy, when you started each medicine, and when your depression started. This will be a challenge with your combination, but it may help sort it all out. Do you have anyone that can help you figure out a timeline?

I mentioned in one of my replies to another of your posts that it is normal to have some degree of depression with any major illness. But your posts present serious depression, which is why your doctor put you on seroquel & pristiq (a pretty strong combo). The need is to figure out whether the depression was there before the epilepsy started, if it started with the onset of the epilepsy, or has it become much worse with the medications.

I recommend getting someone who has been there for you during all of this & work out the timeline. You may need to contact your doctor to get some starting dates, but they should give that to you with no problem. I hope this helps. Let us know.

Shelia

 

[Endless]

Hey, Hed,

I'm so sorry you are depressed. It feels so crushing. You are handling it beautifully, though. I'm glad you are in here seeking answers.

The way my epi distinguished between causes for my depression was knowing me and my history before starting the med, and after starting it. It's why he took me off Topamax, then Trileptal and moved on to other AEDs. No depression on Keppra or Lamictal. We really didn't know the others were the cause of depression, though, until the meds were removed. Inbetween T & T I had Lamictal but got a rash so they took me off. I had a lovely 2 week stretch betwen lamictal and trileptal where I wasn't on any meds at all. No depression, clear head. Nice. Now I'm on Lamictal again, no rash this time.

Anyway, careful tracking in my seizure diary when on the meds, and when off the meds, helped my doctor and me figure out what was causing what. Are you keeping a seizure diary?

 

[hedtrouble]

Diary

Hi Endless, Thanks for your post. No I don't have a diary not since I had my last daytime seizures that day I had 17. The Neuro wasn't really interested once I was ? seizure controlled not interested in ? night time seizures or dream, the only time he showed interest was when I had an MRI & they found the aneurysm. I didn't like him much he was arogant so Ive now got another Neuro. When I last saw him it was to get a clearance for driving. I told him about the ? dream or am I having a seizure but there wasn't too much interest there either. Think I'll start a diary right from how I feel, emotionally, through to headaches. Thanks for your help. Hed.

 

[sbncmo]

Hi hed,

I'm glad you have a different neuro. Some of them are very arrogant. They let all their education go to their heads. My first neuro/psych was great. He wanted me to be fully involved in my treatment. I really missed him when he went to practice at a psych hospital. The only problem with him was he told me I had a seizure disorder, but never explained it, he focused on the depression (bipolar actually). He treated me with meds that treat both disorders. Anyway, I wasn't as computer literate as I am now & didn't look into seizure disorders. Oh, please keep in mind that some meds do treat depression & epilepsy. On the other hand some AED's do cause depression.
After he stopped treating me, I saw a regular psych who didn't know about my epilepsy. I only saw him for about a year. I was still on Trileptal prescribed by a different neuro. Then I lost my insurance & quit the psych (actually he quit me, saying he couldn't hel me any more for the bipolar) & weaned of trileptal. Within a year I was having lots of seizures. I went another 1 1/2 years before my family doctor suspected seizures & sent me to my current neuro. (I didn't suspect seizures since my 1st neuro never talked about them.)

The first time I saw my current neuro/psych, he was totally arrogant, said if I wasn't losing consiousness that I wasn't having seizures - which as we all know is nonsense. When he ran the EEG & confirmed "very active seizure activity", he started med for the seizures, but since I'd already been on all depression meds except MAOI's, he didn't focus on the bipolar. Anyway, as I was saying, he was still very arrogant. So after that visit, I did a ton of research. I went back and was able to describe & name every type of seizure I have, and even say why doctors say "seizure disorder" instead of epilepsy. He was amazed at my new knowledge & it reflected in his attitude & treatment toward me.

Then I learned about keeping an ep diary. When I took it on my visit in November, he said it was great. He sat there & read over it, counting the number of each type of seizure, everything. He was glad to have it.

Have you found a good ep diary yet? Are you going to just write one out or are you going to do one on a web site? I use one from a web site. There aren't very many diary web sites, but I think they are better than one you write out by hand. They are more uniform & easier for a doctor to read over quickly, which as we all know, is very important since we have little time with our doctors. I'll give you the site if you are interested.

Have you been able to determine yet whether your depression started before or after your onset of epilepsy? I know that can be difficult to determine. Seizures can definately mess up our memories. Maybe family or friends can help you determine when your depression started.

You mentioned a dream. Is it the same dream all the time? I have the same recurring dream - standing in the hallway of my old school, not knowing where to go, feeling lost. I thought it might be seizure related because it is similar to one type of seizure I have. But I was assured that it wasn't a seizure. But it was also suggested to me that I talk to my psychologist about it. I haven't gotten around to it yet as we seem to have so many other things to deal with. Bipolar w/o any meds to treat it is vey difficult to say the least. Then add PTSD & anxiety disorders. I keep him busy.

Well, sorry to ramble on like this. I totally understand your depression & your frustrations with arrogant neuro's. Let me know if you want the web site for the ep diary & if you want to use it, I will tell you how to copy & format it in a way that will make a doctor more willing to read it. You can send me a private message if you want. Take care

Shelia