Walking backwards?

[Crystal11]

I've been on Lamictal 400mg and Keppra XR 3000mg per day for the last four months and as the increase is happening I've been doing better. So good that its stressing me out! No seizures should be a good thing- but to me, I am just waiting for another one to start up. Either a seizure/CP or an aura.
Well for the last two weeks I've had absolutely nothing- not even an aura/seizure attempt as I say. "Attempt" meaning my brain is on the verge of having a seizure- warning me of it through an aura. But doesn't go to a seizure/CP.
Anyway- I did have a smaller complex partial yesterday while watching the news. My twin was next to me and said "Whats that face for?" I said "I'm not making a face- what are you talking about?" She told me that I was looking towards the TV listening to it- but had a strange face- which she knew meant that I had just had a small seizure and was "far away in the land of E."
So I just dismissed it and was listening to the news again.

This morning I was having coffee and watching the news for the weather updates. I stood up and remember just standing there in the living room with my back towards the TV. Then I must have walked backwards as if trying hard to walk somewhere. I tripped over a pillow that I was sitting on. I sit so close to the TV that I feel the static- joy for blindness and hearing imp.
! Anyway- so I walked backwards and tripped and stepped on my roommate's book that was on the floor. I don't know how I didn't trip or fall down, but maybe it was during the "coming back to earth" stage of it. It was probably no longer than 45sec, which me and my neuro call a short CP.

It made me mad in a way- because I was so happy about the meds working well. I do believe they are still working great but a breakthrough seizure cluster made me a little sad.
I am hoping that nothing else will go on anytime soon.

I did write a while ago about a small sore spot under my arm. I asked you guys if any of you experienced this or had any suggestions.
Well I did an experiment- me being so stubborn that I will tinker with meds! Ooops. I'm a BAD patient when it comes down to that.
So, no status or any weird seizure- but I did find out that if I do take the full 400mg of Lamictal I get this spot. If I don't and reduce it down to 300mg I don't notice it as much.
I do wonder if the Zoster/Shingles outbreak has anything to do with med change or Lamictal. I doubt it though. No warning against higher risk of infection or anything- unless I didn't read it right...

SO... Lamictal and Keppra XR working out great- besides the set back of two smaller complex partials.
I am think of asking neuro for Lamictal XR. I noticed this morning that I felt "high", light headed, dizzy and off balance. And started noticing this happening when I go to bed around 3 AM, wake up around 11-12:00 AM (I know, horrible sleep schedule) and miss my morning dose by a few hours. 1-2 hours to be more exact.

Anyone else feel this happening if they miss a dose of Lamictal by one-three hours? In the morning more so than afternoon?
Just curious.

Take care everyone
Crystal

 

[Nakamova]

Infections and can lower your seizure threshold (not to mention affect your sleep and stress you out). I bet your bout with shingles is throwing everything off, so don't pass judgment yet on the efficacy of the Lamictal. If you are sensitive to a few hours delay in taking it, then the XR might be a good bet for you. Extended versions work wonders for some folks and not for others. (I have no problems with regular version, but I think I metabolize it fairly slowly.)

 

[Endless]

Crystal,

I was taken off lamictal due to rash/allergy. But when I was on it I was extremely sensitive to taking my dose on time, even though it was a low dose. If I missed it or was late I'd get an aura, and then BAM.

You walked backwards during a seizure? Now that's interesting! After you tripped, are you okay?

The spot on your arm - tell your doc. Maybe a dermatologist should hear this story. Maybe you really have an underlying Stevens-Johnson rash.

 

[Crystal11]

I doubt its SJS- my family doctor would probably of had me admitted if he believe it was this. Its classic case of Zoster VZV and PHN. I did lots of research and also found out that I have Allodynia which just means that even wind, clothing, light touch can cause unimaginable pain.
There is no real way to deal with this but pain meds which I get today. I do stay really calm and go into the studio to work on music. Always worked for me even when I had the stomach flu twice.

After figuring out that sort spot being less painful the less meds I was taking, I was able to understand that Lamictal at 400mg isn't working well with my body even though I have wonderful seizure control!
I will never have total seizure control since my seizures weren't treated until later in my life- age 13 then age 22-27 now.
SO- I will call my neuro, leave a message and say "This sort spot is going away but I want to know if Lamictal could be the cause. Also, I was recently diagnosed and being treated for Herpes Zoster ZVZ/Shingles and want to know if Lamictal is making me more susceptible to it, or if its just something that happened for no reason. CALL ME BACK." LOL hehehe last time I called, no one called me back until I called back and actually said- I've called with no response twice now!

Just dealing with one thing at a time. Taking care of myself and learning as much as possible.
Even though Lamictal/generic is working pretty well- if its the cause of this sore spot, I'm getting off of it.
I am afraid to try something new as well- so I might just go back on Tegretol XR. I didn't have such problems with knowing when medication wears off.
Keppra I could tell the very first week I was on it!

Thank you guys,
Crystal