Lamotrigine or topiramate

[Dorry114]

I have just been to see the neurologist and she has supplied me the names of these two medications Lamotrigine or topiramate, which i am to decide which one to use.  I have done some research on these two medications mainly on there side effects.  A decision will be made on this once I have been to have an EEG.  

[kay221]

i have JME and i take lamictal. it's the only one ive taken but i like it. i didnt have any major side affects. i would sometimes get nauseas but i dont get that anymore. i just need to be sure not to take it on an empty stomach.
it's also one of the safest for women in child-bearing age b/c it had less side affects for the baby but she would have to take folic acid w/ it. i dont know how old she is now but it might be helpful in that sense (she wouldnt have to worry as much about side affects from other seizure meds later in life)
depending on how bad her seizures are (i know your waiting for your EEG results) it may be the best to be on meds. it may be hard to manager her seizures esp. if your not around. she would always be dependent on others if a seizure is to occur and many people dont know how to handle it.
just spend your time doing research!! i always research meds before taking them (including interactions w/ any other meds) and read the pamphlet from the pharmacy. i can def say that i feel SO much better now that i take the meds. but everyone's different.
well i wish you the best of luck and hope your daughter a healthy future!!!!

[Dorry114]

Thank you for your reply but I do apologise I should of stated in my comment that it is my daughter that has these seizures.  My daughter has been diagnosed with IP and she is dependent upon others for full time care and is restricted to being in a wheel chair full time.  Upon the visit to the consultant she had given me these two medications to research.  The problem I am having is deciding on whether to have my daughter on medication at all as I truly believe in her state the the best way to handle her seizures is just managing her when and if she has any others.  But I wont make that decision til I see the consultant again which will be shortly as she now has had her EEG, and have more information on hand.

[cittauk]

I have been on Lamotrogine for a while now and have not suffered the side affects that most other epilepsy pills have. Since being on Lamotrogine my siezures are almost non existent.
I was also given a choice by my neurologist on which pills to have it was either Lamotrogine or  Carbamazepine, I tried the Carbamazepine and found it didn't help. I feel like a normal human being since being on Lamotrogine.
The only side affects I had were in the beginning and that was just being more tired than usual, this passed within about 3 weeks. I cannot fault Lamotrogine.
Hope all goes well for you.

[GoToGo]

I am a fan of Lamotrigine only for the fact that I have never been fully controlled and I am still not but my Consultant put me on Lamotrigine and it seemed to settle my seiziours ALOT where as the other medications (and ive been on ALOT of them) didnt really do much for me at all some of them actually made me worse. I have never experienced any problems with Lamontrigine just good things. But i guess these medications have different affects on different people with Epilepsy, Your best choice is to do whats best for you in your heart and discuss it in detail with your consultant, and if the medication is not successful then you can always try the other one.
Hope all goes well.

[JKJ]

i agree that it's very odd for a doc to leave the med decision up to you.  i don't have epilepsy (my son does); but i've been on both of these meds.  i've been on the lamotrigine for depression (it didn't work) and i currently take the topamax to control migranes.  yes, topamax is also called "topastupid" and "dopamax" because i swear i loose IQ points on a daily basis.  LOL!!

Good luck.

[Juliejd]

That's odd that she's leaving it up to you to decide which one to take, but anyway..You will most likely lose weight with Topamax. However, the cognitive side effects are sometimes worse with this drug, i.e. memory, concentration, "word-finding". To be honest, Lamictal had those cognitive effects for me, though most people don't report that effect with Lamotrigine. Topamax more effectively treats temporal lobe epilepsy. What kind of seizures do you have? In my opinion, it shouldn't really be up to you, ultimately. Research the drugs, absolutely! But maybe seek a second opinion?? Good luck!