I was diagnosed with complex partial and atonic seizures in 1996 and was put on Epilim, which was useless, then Tegretol (700mg), which made me catatonic and I gained 17 kgs within 6 weeks. I could not function on the Tegretol. At my request, my neurologist put me on Lamactil and weened the Tegretol to 200mg, Lamactil 500mg per day. Opposite happened - insomnia. My weight dropped, thankfully, but had a racing brain at all hours - very, very tired from Tegretol but not sleeping due to the Lamactil.
I came off the Tegretol completely in 1998 and took the lamactil only in the mornings, which helped hugely. My weight dropped and I could function again. I was able to work and drive.
So, personally I did not enjoy the tegretol. It didn't control the seizures and I was completely exhausted 24 hours per day, felt fat, tired and sluggish.
In 2001, I dropped the dosage of Lamactil down to 150mg per day and became pregnant with my twins. I then had liver failure at the end of the pregnancy.
Until this year, I have been on Lamactil but my body started rejecting it and I started experiencing new side effects. I am now taking a (self done) small dose of 100mg day of Lamactil and now the neurologist is putting me on Keppra, with intesting effects - had a 5 hour nap today! So, will see, that is only 250mg in the mornings - what will I be like on 1000 mg per day!
I took B6 for a week before starting and now take 100mg of that each day, so far have not had any trouble with moods or depresion, just tiredness and runny nose. I am hoping to get a handle on the tiredness.
Really, you just have to try it and see how your body copes with it. Tegretol and Keppra combined would be lethal with me but the Lamactil seems to work with Keppra.