Hello,
Thanks for your relies. I noticed that so many with MS do take these meds. I looked it up on the MS Society web site and they are used for nerve pain. They also help calm spasms. I have found the Trileptal does both for me. I do not have compelte relief, but enough to make it tolerable.
I am feeling a bit calmer than normal too! :) That is a good way to feel!
Lee Ann
That's very interesting! I havent heard of seizure meds being used for MS. Although I am on Keppra now for a week due to recent seizures. I have been wondering all along if I have MS although testing thus far has not proven so. Erica mentioned side effects, I have to agree: i couldn't take trileptal and now seem to be having some problems with Keppra and am on a very very low dose 125mg twice daily, supposed to increase tomorrow but think I will wait another week before I do. Do you know why these meds are used for MS? is is more for the nerve pain and sensory issues?
Thanks,
Mary Beth
I have had lots of seizure meds, due to a seizure disorder which has since disappeared, thankfullly. I've been on trileptal, topomax, lamotrigene, keppra, gabapentin(neurontin) and lyrica. Side effects made me stop the first three, a suspected side effect stopped me from taking the keppra, though we know now that it wasn't the med (my facial sensory stuff), I have only been given the last two for nerve pain.
My neuro put me on gabapentin (neurontin), to work on my seizures, and the rib pain (which was the first neuropathic pain my gp recognized). Though it worked at first, I eventually needed too high a dose, so, my gp put me on lyrica which was created for diabetic neuropathy. It works, it takes a while for it to build up in your system tho, so that it works.
I've not taken any for a bit, now, as the pain has been tolerable, and I don't want to not be aware of it while I'm complaining to docs about wanting more tests, LOL. I am on no seizure meds, as they mysteriously disappeared.
I have been tempted to start the lyrica back up, but, I was waiting for my neuro appt in january, to properly describe stuff. Now I am waiting til after the mri, then, we'll see. If it keeps increasing in strength, I will start it again. Problem is, I am now covered under my bfs drug plan, not as all encompassing as the one I had at work. As I have no dx, let alone a dx of diabetes, they won't provide me with lyrica, and I certainly cannot afford it. Well, we'll see, LOL
These two meds, I know, work for nerve pain. The gabapentin and lyrica. Not for spasms. I have heard of ppl taking trileptil, with ms, but, not sure what it does.
Hope this helped.
Erica
Hi,
Yes, I believe it is very common to be using antiseizure meds in MS. They are in particular used to help relieve the painful sensations that people feel.
My first neuro who diagnosed and then disdiagnosed me was talking about those drugs as first line in the the treatment of MS.
Then a GP I saw recently offered me these drugs also when I was telling him about the sensory stuff and burning sensations. I decided not to take them for now.
Of course, like all meds some have side effects, so its a matter of finding what works for you with minimal problems.
Am sure some others here can chime in on this one!
Sally