Does Trileptal Help MS Symptoms?

[MSDLG]

I am currently trying to diagnose MS. I have all of the classic early symptoms. I had an MRI a year ago. It showed some white matter, but not conclusive. I had a lumbar puncture, which was only 2/3 conclusive. My neurologist put me on Trilptal. Most of my symptoms vanished over the next few months. I eventually ran out and went back to my doctor. He ordered a sleep deprived EEG. The test showed everything was normal (except Bradycardia was noted in the EKG monitoring channel: 42-48 bpm). To take this test my doctor weened me off Trileptal over a three week period. After off the drug for a couple weeks my symptoms returned - full force. Now after two weeks back on, I'm feeling much better.

Any ideas?

[twopack]

Alex gave you a wonderful answer.  Trileptal can be very effective against nerve pain for some people with MS (and people with nerve pain from other causes as well).  

The fact that your symptoms returned when you were weaned off the drug is a good sign that it's working for what ails you.  I'm glad it is still being prescribed for you.  If you feel comfortable sharing, has the Trileptal helped symptoms in addition to pain for you?

I also am very curious to know what you mean by your LP was only 2/3 conclusive.  Again, if you are comfortable, could you please give a few more details?  If you had an MRI with lesions (white matter is a part of the brain they appear in) and something positive about your LP, I'm wondering what standard your neuro requires to diagnosis MS.

I mean no criticism but many of us here have seen neuros who require certain levels of test abnormality to diagnosis MS even though there is NO definitive test that can confirm or rule out the diagnosis.  I'm glad Trileptal has controlled your symptoms but wonder if you are missing out on a chance to change the course of future symptoms if you do indeed have MS and aren't taking one of the disease modifying drug therapies.

Welcome to the forum.  Hope to see much more of you in the future (cause once a member here, always a member, MS or NOT).

Mary

[HVAC]

Welcome.Trileptal is an anti seizure drug. It also helps with nerve pain. That nerve pain could be caused for many reasons. So if you are asking since Trileptal works do I have MS? It is not that clear cut. You can go to the top right and click on the Health Pages and look under the McDonald Criteria for diagnosis of MS. There are also other helpful posts.

It is good your symptoms are being treated. It sometimes takes awhile to get a diagnosis. Neurologists like to follow you over time usually every six month to a year to see changes. They do other tests to rule out other illnesses which have the same symptoms of MS and there are many. MS is a diagnosis of excluding every other possibility.

Also Neurologists Specialize. I had to go to a Neurologist who was an MS Specialist. The other Neurologists did not know how to interpret the tests and symptoms.

I am glad you are back on the Trileptal. I know if I miss one dose.

Alex