Visit to neurologists today (Advice on meds?)

[Loopy Lou]

I finally got to see the neurologist, after finding out that they'd accidentally wiped me from their appointments list. (Thank god for my E-nurse, she sorted it out for me)

Anywho... the issue was raised over whether or not to add an extra medication. Currently i'm on 3000mg keppra a day and he said that's as high as i can go. I've not had any tonic clonics in the two months or so i've been on this dosage, and i'm having much less partials. Maybe a couple a day depending on tiredness etc. Some days i'll have none that i notice, other days can be many.

He mentioned something called lacosimide or something like that. I've never heard of it before. I know it began with an L and had a C in the middle lol. Has anyone ever tried this?

I could live with the level of control i have at the moment, but if it's not fully controlled then i won't be able to get my driving license back. I'm worried about the side effects merry-go-round as well, after my experiences on the Lamictal. At least with Keppra i get minimal side effects.

Confused!

 

[neilB]

Hi Loopy Lou,

Lacosimide is the generic name of Vimpat (sp?). I know a few people here do take it.

 

[Loopy Lou]

Yup, that definately sounds like it! I'd never heard what the generic name for vimpat was before lol. Perhaps i'll look into it some. I have complex and simple partials, but more often they're complex ones.

 

[neilB]

Yeah, I've got grand mal and as of this year Complex Partials but just taking generic Keppra at 2500 mg/day. Neuro suggested adding another prescription but nothing yet.

 

[Loopy Lou]

I'm just not sure what to do. The neurologist said that he wasn't going to push it onto me, and that i should think about whether i want to stay the way i am, or add another med.

I mean... i want my driving license back and to be able to say i've had no seizures for x amount of time, but i'm also worried about adding something new in case it turns out to be worse. This is supposed to be as well as the Keppra, though i don't know if i'd stay on 3000mg or not.

 

[epileric]

My two cents

If he's giving you control of what you want to do then I see no reason not to try a new medication. You can ask to ramp up slowly to lessen the side-effects. Just remember that if you do get any, they usually subside after a while once your body gets used to them.

The worst that can happen is that the side-effects are stronger than the curative effects & you now know it doesn't work. The best is that the side-effects are minimal & your seizures are better controlled.
:twocents:

 

[Endless]

Hi, Lou,

Most neurologists aim for no seizures. This prevents further damage to your brain, and helps prevent the seizures from escallating.

I understand why you are reluctant to add another drug. It would bother me, too. The side effects stink.

In the end it's up to you. The question that never seems to go away: "What's worse? The seizures or the meds?" Or to put it more positively, "What's more important, minimizing side effects, or increasing the level of seizure control?"

Hard decision. Is it possible to just try the new med for a little while? Ramp up very slowly? And then ramp back down if the side effects are not acceptable? Maybe this drug will be a winner, along with your Keppra. Or maybe not.

 

[Meetz1064]

To be

honest, it wouldn't hurt to try it, I don't think. But then again, I'm on FOUR meds, LOL, so I don't have much room to talk.

I will say though, that each time I've added a med, I've done so slowly, and the side-effects have been minimalized--and at this point, I don't really have any--even on four meds.

 

[Loopy Lou]

hmm i think i'll give it a go then just to see how it works out. I won't have time to go to docs or anything in next week or so though. I'm just hoping it doesn't affect my work performance.... Although i'd say that the seizures affect it anyway. Yeah,... I'll give it a try, thanks for advice!