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seizures
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MedHelp Member's Question

seizures

by glorya90, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
How long does it take lamictal to take effect on partial seizures and as a mood stabilizer?  Are there any medicines that I can't take with it?  I'm taking it for both.  I had an abnormal eeg(havn't had seizures for 20 years though) and I have recurrent depression and forgetfulness.  Also, do you think that partial seizures could cause depressive symptoms?



Thanks
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Jan 02, 2002 12:00AM
For seizures, the dose of Lamictal needed to reach therapeutic (effective antiseizure levels) is very dependent on a number of things including: 1. the simultaenous use of other antiepileptics 2. the simultaneous use of depakote 3.your specific enzyme activity level  (don't worry about this).  The major things are the other drugs you may be taking. But let's say you're taking this alone. The doses that patients respond to are different, ranging from 75-600mg per day, but can definitely be higher especially for people who totally depend on just one drug for seizure control. Many of our patients are on 300-500mg/d. Now the second part of this is that you start with a low dose like 25mg and then VERY SLOWLY titrate it upwards to the therapeutic range because of the possible side effect of a serious rash if loaded too quickly.  Most people take 6-8 weeks to become therapeutic, so it's usually safer to have them on something else in the meantime for adequate seizure protection.



FOr mood disorder, the dose ranges from 75-300mg/ day in research studies for the drug to be effective. The clinical response is used to judge the dose of the drug that should be used (although in your case, the level needs to be high enough for seizure protection).  So theoretically, if you are being slowly loaded the mood stabilizing effect could take place (if it's going to work) in 4-8 weeks. Finally, it is well known that there is an association between epilepsy and depression due to multiple biological, psychological and social reasons. Look for a support group in your area. This has been very helpful for some of our patients. Best of luck.
Member Comments (40)

by jan, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
Hi Sillysue,

Just wanted to let you know of a couple of Yahoo support clubs for those with seizures, in case you weren't aware:



http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/epilepsychat



http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/epilepsysupportgroup



Gee, you haven't had a seizure in 20 yrs, but they are making you take meds because of abnormal EEG?!  Was there alot of activity?  Why were you getting the EEG in the 1st place?  I hope you don't mind me asking, as I was just recently diagnosed.  I hope to be off the Trileptal in 2 years!

Good luck and a healthy and Happy New Year!



by glorya90, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
When I was recently diagnosed with ADD without hyperactivity and recurrent depression, I got the eeg to rule out seizures as a cause of my forgetfulness and there was a lot of activity.  They arent making me take it, its more of a trial kind of thing to see if it will help my symptoms.  Lamictal is also prescribed as a mood stabilizer.  I'm 25 and had three generalized seizures when I was 2.  Havn't taken aed's since I was 5.  Activity is in left frontal temporal lobe.

by jan, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
Mine is in the same place and my memory is the pits! My cognitive and language skills have declined, I am always asking hubby, "What is that word I am thinking of". I hate it, it is soooo frustrating. Also, I am having troubles with the my right side of my body, abnormal sensations. The epil. actually told me if I didn't take med I could possibly totally lose the use of my right side! I dunno. Some drs. think stroke and some MS, because of the lesion there. I feel like I am in a nightmare. My hubby says I have to break down the "brick wall" of denial. :o(

Did you check out those sites?

by glorya90, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
Those sites are great thanks for the input.

by glorya90, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
I have a big problem with word finding. I'll be able to describe what the word means but unable to say the word.  Its usually something easy too.  Once I was telling a story and mentioned that someone was from Maryland.  In the next sentence, I couldn't think of the word Maryland.  I said "You know that state that starts with an 'm' mary something"  Makes a conversation difficult sometimes.  It comes and goes though.  It's not always that bad.

by jan, Jan 02, 2002 12:00AM
That is exactly how it is for me! Even the part where I say what letter it starts with! Except sometimes I think I am wrong, sometimes I am not sure because hubby doesn't give me the word I am thinking of (at least I don't think he does). LOL

How about when you type, do you find that you have used words that may sound a bit similar instead of the proper word? Like one time when I was explaining this very thing I used the word "you" instead of "use". Sometimes I catch it and sometimes it is too late and I just look at it and shake my head.

by Cyn, Jan 09, 2002 12:00AM
I also experience the use of a wrong word, usually while talking.

I somtimes say a simular word or a rhyming word.  



I've had one unexplained seizure in 10-01.  I was out eating with my family and the next thing I remember is waking-up hysterical in the ER.  I remember NOTHING in between.  



My MRI and EEG were normal.  I'm taking Carbatrol 300mg. twice a day.  I suffered no trauma to the head, wasn't sick before or after, and still do not remember anything of the episode.



My husband of 21 years states I looked at him and my eyes twitched and then my whole body began to convulse.  Due to my previous jobs with the handicapped he knew enough to get me to the floor and protect my head.  He states I convulsed for almost 5 minutes and was unconscious until the paramedics arrived.  



I woke up very frightened and confused.  I had no idea who the techs. were or why they were checking me.  I became violent and vulgar with them, refusing to go with them.  My husband gave them consent to take me to the hospital.



I also am going stir crazy not being able to drive.  I have always been a very independant person who is used to coming anf going as I please.



It's taken me this long to build-up the courage to seek others with the same experience.  Not being able to find a cause is just as terrifying as having a tumor would be.  My Dr. can't say if I will have another seizure or not.  He suggests I stay on medication for at least 1 year seizure free.  3 months down and 9 to go!

by The Husband, Jan 10, 2002 12:00AM
My wife has had her second siezure in three months. Her first, after an MRI, CAT Scan, and blood work was attributed to her taking Welbutrin with an ephedrine product. The second may be related to Ultram that was prescribed for pain.



We are waiting to get in to see the neurologists, Has anyone else had seizures related to taking medications?

by Learner, Jan 13, 2002 12:00AM
It is interesting reading about what has happened to others.  I had my first seizure in 1991.  I was at the mall with two of my children and all of a sudden everything looked liked it was written in a foreign language instead of English.  I was looking for a book and I commented to my daughter that I could not belive the bookstore had so many foreign books and not English books.  She looked very confused and I told her I was going to go sit in the Mall and wait for her and her brother.  At that point my vision started narrowing down to where I could not see anything.  In a few minutes after that I lost consciousness and my son said I had a seizure.  I was taken to the hospital and tests were run and they could find nothing.  I didn't start taking any medication.  I have had 6 episodes since.  They all start with the floaties (I call them) going in front of my eyes.  Then in a day or two, it feels like I cannot focus on anything, I can almost see "everything" and cannot focus on anything in particular.  Then in about five or ten minutes my vision starts to narrow, as if I had on blinders, and then I lose my vision completely and pass out.  When I wake up I have a horrible headache and cannot stand the light.  I keep the headache for at least the rest of the day or night this occurs.  I feel fine except for the headache.  I am so frustrated as I have been to at least 6 neurologists and had eeg's, cat scans, mri's and they can never find aything.  I am taken to the hospital each time and these are usually done within 30 minutes to an hour after each episode.  Some of the doctors think it is a migraine headache.  I want to know if anyone else has had this problem or something similar.  I am really desperate at this point.  This started when I was 48 years old.  Thanks for any help you can give me.

by jan, Jan 13, 2002 12:00AM
Please visit the sites I posted they may help you.



Zoloft is what "brought out" my seizure according to epileptologist.



My eegs were normal the 1st two times and the 3rd only showed focal slowing. Then I had a 48 hr.video/eeg at a university hosp. and it showed sharp waves and spikes. Maybe you should see about getting a video/eeg. I am kinda sorry I did, long story and maybe some denial going on.



Not driving for months drove me bonkers!!!

by The Husband, Jan 14, 2002 12:00AM
My sister had similar events as Learner, she is now wearing an insilin pump for her diabeties.



We did the 48 hour home eeg and in advertantly caused a seizure with my wife by watching Gladiator, too close to the big screen and in the dark.



One lady I spoke with thought that my wife is having "Cycle Seizures" and that many women have similar events related to monopause. We are waiting to hear from the neurologists after he reviews the data