Keeping Stable With a New Medication

[ILADVOCATE]

Its complex. I am starting a new medication and although its for my physical disability its experimental for that use but its a recently FDA approved anti-convulsant Lacosimide and the reason I am posting in this forum about it is like all anti-convulsants in a certain class it can cause depression and the like. Its use is not as a mood stabilizer but I know many mood stabilizers that are anti-convulsants (with the strong exception of Lamictal which was great but could not take it for other reasons) caused problems such as Tegretol/Trileptal causing psychosis in me and Keppra causing suicidal ideations in me (all this is not that unknown). I can monitor moodswings and its not much of a problem but when its caused by a medication its much harder. Of course I am following up with my psychiatrist and neurologist but am a bit unnerved as the medication just hit the shelves a few days ago but its physically neccessary. I don't expect anyone to know about the medication but I know people do have to take medications for physical disabilities that may disrupt moods and my question is how to handle it. If this works then perhaps I could go out and about again and of course I'm on a mood stabilizer (Clonidine)  but one must be prepared for the unexpected as it seems to happen. Not sure if anyone can offer a suggestion but please bear with me. Thanks.

[ILADVOCATE]

Thanks and everythings' okay as far as side effects. My physical disability is tardive dyskinesia so that's why I post about it in the neurology forum. Much more of importance not only was it helpful I did not notice any mood alterations except I felt somewhat crabby the first day and it actually seems to actually have a mood stabilization effect. There were a lot of causes including my physical disability but one reason I was up half the night was I was rapid cycling at those hours as things wore off (and somewhat at other parts of the day) but its too new to tell whether other people will see that effect or just me. I'll leave that up to my providers to make further conclusions. To be honest if things weren't working out from Zyprexa through Abilify and Lamictal, every time a new medication came out I was often on it within the first week (Lamictal of course took a few years to be realized as a mood stabilizer as it was first approved as an anti-convulsant so that's different). I actually don't reccomend this and I got a turn down on some new medications but if things weren't working out physically or mentally I avail myself of every oppurtunity within my provider's judgment. Like anyone else here its ultimately up to them. Some providers are more conservative and say that people must wait for a while before they see its use in others and I well understand that approach but when the going gets rough I try to help myself as best as I can within my provider's knowledge (psychopharmocologist, neurologist) which I help update with information on the web, and sometimes what they note in me can benefit how they'll treat others. Thanks for the supportive advice.

[zzzmykids]

I am crying for no reason.  New meds.  My husband asked if he could make me oatmeal.  Oatmeal is my favorite breakfast....but he with glee said "Can I make you some oatmeal?"
What I am saying is new meds suck.
You are such a brave advocate, ILADVOCATE,  for all of us.  Yes we want to answer your posts, especially.  I just now noticed it.  
At any time you need just a (hug) like now...let us all know.
You are in my prayers and thoughts today.
Know you are vital to this room.
zzzmykids

[opus88]

ur very brave to b willing to experiment with all these NEW meds, I know nothing abt the one ur trying but I do understand the need to balance the benefits with the side effects!
U have good doctors by the sounds of it and r very well up on all your conditions and effects, good 4u!
Do u suffer from parkinsons? or what is the cause of your physical disabilities?
I wish u luck with this new med and hope it does continue to work for you!

[ILADVOCATE]

Complex that one. Generally for my physical disability if a medication used to treat it (in the anti-Parkinsonian class) creates psychosis then I have to stop it. Several medications were not considered for that reason. Thankfully this one isn't doing that. I can honestly say I feel a bit crabby but if that worsens into any personality alteration then I will have to change it but one cannot tell with any medication from the first day. I have a follow up appointment with my psychiatrist as I do notice some mood stabilization (in a good sense) and since its a brand new medication he should be the one to note that. As well I'll have a follow up with my neurologist who prescribed it of course. Things are complex with me and since some of the medications and classifications are under clinical study I've been asked to confine further specifics to my journal entries. Moodswings though are something of concern to all of us here and whether its helping or hurting in that regard is something that will take time to tell and I'll have to speak to my psychiatrist about that one. Thanks for the words of support.

[bastet56]

ilad, the only thing to do is as you know, go on another med for the side effects or not be on the medication at all. Good luck to you. Hope it works with no side effects.

[ILADVOCATE]

Okay no problem if no one answered this. Physically I can tell its working as I fell a loss of tension. Mentally as to see how it will affect me that will take some time but I am very tired from it and ready to go to bed and that's a good sign in itself given the rampant insomnia I've had for years. Hope this one works out.  Good night..