Reduction of medication - Carbatrol

  Hi! In 1990, I had epilepsy surgery at CCF and it has turned out to be quite successful.  I experience auras about 3 x's a year and haven't had any full blown seizures since my surgery. I am currently taking Carbatrol 300 mg. two x's/day.  In Jan. I am going to my local neurologist for an EEG awake and asleep to see if I can reduce my meds more.  My goal is to come completely off of it.  I went to my neuro. in July and he reduced my meds from 800 mgs. of tegretol to 600mgs. carbatrol.  My question is: In Jan. when I go back for another EEG, would it be unreasonable for me to ask my neuro. if I could go down to the 100 mg. tablet, taking total 200 mg. daily, instead of going down to the 200 mg. tablet ( 400 mg. daily)?  I am ready to come completely off of all of my med. and I would rather go down to 200 mg total daily instead of 400 mg. daily. Or, should I go ahead and take the 200 mg. tablet instead of going directly to the 100 mg. tablet?  At this point, I am not sure if it would make much of a difference as far as having seizures or other complications.  What would you suggest? I have been taking medication for nearly 20 years and I am ready to be done with it. By the way, you guys are fantastic!
  Thanks!
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Thanks for your question.  It is always a pleasure to hear about such a
positive outcome for an epilepsy surgery.  Regarding your specific question
about carbatrol dosing, completely withdrawl (withdrawal) of the medications is always
the final, ideal outcome of the epilepsy surgeries, but the rate of medication
tapering is highly variable amongst the patient population, and it very
much dependent on the reccurrence of seizures.  Given your current symptoms,
that is, the occurrence of auras, it is advisable to follow the more cautious
course of action adopted by your local neurologist, since the reccurrence
of actual seizures could have a series of inconviniences that you are probably
quite aware of.  Unless the carbatrol is causing you side-effect or discomfort,
the slower tapering could be the better approach.  If you feel strongly about
this subject, you should definitely bring up the topic during your next
neurology appointment.
I hope this information is helpful.  Best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.