I have been on Phenytek for 8 years and have had no seizures. I recently started to switch to Lamictal by my Neurogolist becouse of the side effects of Phenytek. I have had one seizure during the switch. And the Lamictal makes me have bad anxiety. So I am on an anti-anxiety med now. I was just wondering if anyone has switched and had similar results. This website has so much to offer.
Switching from Phenytek to Lamictal.
- Thread starter cdg
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My neurologist tried me on Lamictal in April 2011. He thought the seizures I was having was non epileptic seizures, and told me that Lamictal is used for seizures and anxiety attacks. Which he was wanting to see would help with what he thought was non epileptic seizures, AKA "anxiety attacks". I tried it, and had to be taken off Lamictal after two weeks because I was having a severe reaction to it. My glands in my neck area swelled up so badly. I also had alot of what looked like acne around my chin and mouth area. As the dose went up, they got worse, and started to scab over and break open and bleed. So those signs right there were the ones that popped up right away. I was also having break through seizures, but I was slowly being weaned off of Keppra at the time too. But just because it didnt work for me, doesnt mean it wont work for you!
I haven't had any skin irritations with the Lamictal, I just don't feel that it is effective as the Phenytek. Maybe I haven't been on it long enough. I'm taking 300mg of the Phenytek and 250mg of the Lamictal. So when I get completly off the Phenytek these feelings will go away.....I hope. I'm still not going to drive for a while for my kids safety and others on the road.
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Well you;re for sure on a higher dose than what I got to on the Lamictal. I started out on a low dose, If I recall it was like 50mgs the first week, then the second week it got upped to 100mgs. So thats good that taking a higher dose and not seeing any kind of those side effects, is always a good sign! 
Yeah, I didnt drive for awhile when I was going from one medication to another. I didnt feel comfortable, even if my doctor said it was ok.
Yeah, I didnt drive for awhile when I was going from one medication to another. I didnt feel comfortable, even if my doctor said it was ok.
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Hi cdg, welcome to CWE!
I found that in the first month or two that I was on Lamictal, it made me hyper -- super perky and overfocused during the day,very restless sleeping at night with vivid dreams/nightmares. Those side effects eventually went away, so perhaps yours will too. I do have seizure control with the Lamictal.
It can be tricky making the switch from one med to the other. Transitions can be very hard on the brain and body. Phenytek can lower the amount of Lamictal in your blood, so you may find that as the Phenytek is decreased, the Lamictal will have a greater effect on you -- potentially in terms of seizure control, but also in terms of side effects. All this should be monitored closely by your neurologist. If you aren't feeling right, let him know right away, especially if you have another seizure.
Best,
Nakamova
I found that in the first month or two that I was on Lamictal, it made me hyper -- super perky and overfocused during the day,very restless sleeping at night with vivid dreams/nightmares. Those side effects eventually went away, so perhaps yours will too. I do have seizure control with the Lamictal.
It can be tricky making the switch from one med to the other. Transitions can be very hard on the brain and body. Phenytek can lower the amount of Lamictal in your blood, so you may find that as the Phenytek is decreased, the Lamictal will have a greater effect on you -- potentially in terms of seizure control, but also in terms of side effects. All this should be monitored closely by your neurologist. If you aren't feeling right, let him know right away, especially if you have another seizure.
Best,
Nakamova
I have switched completely to Lamictal XR, recently I was on 10 days of Amoxasilan and the 5 days on Z-pak. Well I had another seizure the last day I took the Z-pak. I was wondering if anyone had a problems like this. My Dr. said that the 2 together could cause the last seizure. I need to prove this to be able to drive again soon. Any suggestions?
Has anyone successfully appealed and won an against the North Carolina DMV for driving privileges. The state declined my driving for another six months due to me having a seizure will on antibiotics and a severe sinus infection. my Dr. clearly stated to them that the seizure was clearly due to the meds and infection. I am going to appeal the latest decision from the DMV. Any suggestions or comments welcome?????
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I'm very sorry that you can't drive -- but just to play devil's advocate here:
Most people who have infections and take antibiotics don't have seizures. Given the possible risk this indicates (no matter how small or medically insignificant), the state will err on the side of caution for reasons of public safety AND liability. If you pass the 6 month safety period, then the state's liability drops.
Most people who have infections and take antibiotics don't have seizures. Given the possible risk this indicates (no matter how small or medically insignificant), the state will err on the side of caution for reasons of public safety AND liability. If you pass the 6 month safety period, then the state's liability drops.