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seizures
How long does it take lamictal to take effect on partial seizures and as a mood stabilizer? Are there any medicines that I can't take with it? I'm taking it for both. I had an abnormal eeg(havn't had seizures for 20 years though) and I have recurrent depression and forgetfulness. Also, do you think that partial seizures could cause depressive symptoms?
Thanks
Thanks
A related discussion, Seizure link with MRI contrast Dyes? was started.
A related discussion, Epilepsy Chat was started.
My comment is that of concern sister. My older sister has seizures and has been rushed out of our home more than a couple of times in a ambulance. She has been to the doctor more than 50 times so that she can receive somekind of medication for her epelepsy. She received some medicine but got seizures even worst than before. Thedoctors cut down her doses of medicen to half still she gets seizues, doctors have not found what causes these seizures and dont even seem to bother that my sister has atleast three times a month. My comment is shouldn't doctors be doing all they can to try and prevent my sister from having siezures or atleast having them under control?
I am new to this forum.
I have had seizures in the past. The last one being in 5-97. I only have them when I have not had enough sllep or I have not finished my sleep cycle. My arms start shaking and It gets better if I just go back to sleep anad finish my cycle. The doctors did not find anything in the EEG or the MRI. I have been controlling it by making sure I get plenty of rest every night.
The last time I had a seizure(5/97) was while I was driving. I hit someone head on and woke up in the ambulance. Thank god I was on a side street and going about 20mph. No one was hurt.
Since then, I have had panic attacks and anxiety problems. It started with the panic only while driving. These days, I am anxious of the actual panic itself. I don't drive that much.
ANyway, the reason I'm writing is that I got a prescription for Paxil from my doctor today. Is it safe for me. I have been researching it on the internet and seems like all these drugs for anxiety also could cause seizures.
If this is true, why would my doctor prescribe them to someone with a history of seizures?
I am anly researching before I get myself involved in taking something for that makes my seizure problem worse.
Thanks!
I have had seizures in the past. The last one being in 5-97. I only have them when I have not had enough sllep or I have not finished my sleep cycle. My arms start shaking and It gets better if I just go back to sleep anad finish my cycle. The doctors did not find anything in the EEG or the MRI. I have been controlling it by making sure I get plenty of rest every night.
The last time I had a seizure(5/97) was while I was driving. I hit someone head on and woke up in the ambulance. Thank god I was on a side street and going about 20mph. No one was hurt.
Since then, I have had panic attacks and anxiety problems. It started with the panic only while driving. These days, I am anxious of the actual panic itself. I don't drive that much.
ANyway, the reason I'm writing is that I got a prescription for Paxil from my doctor today. Is it safe for me. I have been researching it on the internet and seems like all these drugs for anxiety also could cause seizures.
If this is true, why would my doctor prescribe them to someone with a history of seizures?
I am anly researching before I get myself involved in taking something for that makes my seizure problem worse.
Thanks!
I recently had a major seizure which I feel was caused by Xanax which I was taking on and off for about a month. Did anyone else out there have problems with Xanax causing seizures.
I had a seizure about six months ago my doctor felt was caused by taking Webutrin & Paxil together.
I had a seizure about six months ago my doctor felt was caused by taking Webutrin & Paxil together.
I'm not sure if there is one of those or not. She needs to talk with her neurologist. All of the meds. for epilepsy change that chemical function in the brain to control to seizures. Some have a definite warning against taking during pregnancy. Your best source would be the neurologist. If you can't get in touch with him/her quickly then I would contact a pharmacist because of their knowlege of the side effects of all meds.
I hope this helps, best wishes to you and your daughter,
Chaddy
I hope this helps, best wishes to you and your daughter,
Chaddy
My daughter in law has epelipsey is there a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy that won't harm both mother and baby ?
I recommend getting in touch with a university hospital that has an epilepsy center and ask if they can help you with your questions. "Epilepsy specialists use an MRI to look for subtle abnormalities in the brain that can cause seizures." This is a quote from "Epilepsy:199 Answers" by Dr. Andrew Wilner. He states in his book that a person can have a normal CT and an abnormal MRI.
I was angry when I found out, too. It was a rough road. Now, having started with a new neuro, it seems I have gone on the downside of the rollercoaster again. Mainly because he said he is going to ask my epileptologist if I am at the drug dosage he wants and at the last visit the epi mentioned I might need an increase. I just got used to this level and was getting back to a normal routine. Oh well.
Good luck. I hope you get some answers. My epi. is the only one who gave me answers, my last neuro would say, because the epi. said so. Some answer.
Again, I recommend the books and clubs I mentioned in earlier posts.
I was angry when I found out, too. It was a rough road. Now, having started with a new neuro, it seems I have gone on the downside of the rollercoaster again. Mainly because he said he is going to ask my epileptologist if I am at the drug dosage he wants and at the last visit the epi mentioned I might need an increase. I just got used to this level and was getting back to a normal routine. Oh well.
Good luck. I hope you get some answers. My epi. is the only one who gave me answers, my last neuro would say, because the epi. said so. Some answer.
Again, I recommend the books and clubs I mentioned in earlier posts.
In october of 2001 I had a grandmal seisure in my sleep that was the first one I had their was no signs before that. The Dr. said I had epilepsy I had a cat scan and a eeg the eeg showed alot of seisure activity on the right side of my brain. I take 1500mg of depakote daily but it still does not control my seisures 100%. I only have them in my sleep. The Dr. I see has not told me what kind of epilepsy I have are Why? I'm seeking a new Dr. now can any one help me answer these questions? I cry all the time, forget things lose strength in my right hand with every seisure. my words don't come out right etc. and I,m angry all the time.
If you haven't found a dr. yet in Kansas, then there are some in Arkansas that have experience with this condition. I believe that it is the same one that has been mentioned before by a person at the church that I used to attend. I could try to find out if you would like though. Not sure how far I could get but I can try. Have you looked it up on the internet? God bless!
chaddy
chaddy
Non of us are Drs. and the look on our neurologists face when I mentioned the internet was priceless.
However, Once again it appears that there can be multiple factors that contribute to seizures. The neurologist Melissa saw showed us her abnormal brain wave activity in right temporal lobe.
She is ramping up on the carbatrol (2 a day going to 4 a day) and so far the only side effect has been headache and being frustrated at being under house arrest. 9 no driving for 6 months) She too has felt that every little tremor was the start of a new event but has not had anything happen so far. She is on her first cycle since starting the meds and we are almost through it.
Our family practitioner said that the neurologist could not and would not ignore the science, but that he some what agreed with me that a cascade of events i.e. her threshold being lowered by multiple factors may have hade more causal effect than anything.
Jim
However, Once again it appears that there can be multiple factors that contribute to seizures. The neurologist Melissa saw showed us her abnormal brain wave activity in right temporal lobe.
She is ramping up on the carbatrol (2 a day going to 4 a day) and so far the only side effect has been headache and being frustrated at being under house arrest. 9 no driving for 6 months) She too has felt that every little tremor was the start of a new event but has not had anything happen so far. She is on her first cycle since starting the meds and we are almost through it.
Our family practitioner said that the neurologist could not and would not ignore the science, but that he some what agreed with me that a cascade of events i.e. her threshold being lowered by multiple factors may have hade more causal effect than anything.
Jim
Thank you everyone for making me feel better. I thought the reason my mind going blank was because of my seizures but never have confirmed it. Then again I also thought I was a little dumb too. After my seizures are the worst I cant think of much of anything and its best I just sleep until my body has rested.I find this usually helps at least a little. Then there are days I can not think of a lot of words. So I just do what I have to. I have tuberous sclerosis. And I am in search of a doctor right now in the Kansas area that has had experience with it besides me. I only have absence seizures. Where my body works but my mind doesnt. I have been lucky and only hurt myself twice and that was with a stove while I was cooking. Thank you again you have really made my day.
Kjmlmom,
(left mid temporal sharp waves and left temporal high amplitude sharp waves were present--also vertex sharp waves and enhanced beta activity as well as some brief sleep spindles---does anyone know what all that means???!!).
I am not a dr. but I can tell you that I've heard enough of this to say that it certainly sounds like seizures. The sharp waves indicate that there is a 'misfiring' of electricity in the brain and it is emiting impulses that will cause the fainting. How old is your child?
From my own experience when I started having seizures that were stronger than those of childhood, the family doc told me a whole list of things that it could be and when he named epilepsy that was the only one that I thought it was definitely not. I always thought that people who had epilepsy were retarded (forgive me for this word). But in retrospect, I learned that epilepsy didn't mean that at all. It simply meant that there was an electical impulse that required medication in many cases to control. You would probably be amazed at the amount of people that have seizures. Many times in children it goes undiagnosed for years. A child might show signs by 'rolling there eyes' and seeming to 'ignore' when someone is speaking to them. Also it can manifest itself in the smacking of lips and pulling at clothes. The postictal(sp?) stage of seizures in many is lethargy and confusion and completely not remembering what has happened or forgetting things and repeating themselves frequently. These are only a few things that could happen, I have experienced most of them, but in every case there is something different.
I can't imagine what a mother would go through when they find out that their child has epilepsy. I can only go on what mine went through and what my wife experiences when I have one. I know it's scary, but you can help her overcome some of the emotional issues that are associated with it. If you need help in any way as far as someone who knows what it's like, please post something else and I will respond. The support groups for epilepsy are tremendously helpful, also there are probably support groups at a local hospital. If you have time for them, it is a major benefit. I hope something in my post will help you. God bless you 8-)
Chaddy
(left mid temporal sharp waves and left temporal high amplitude sharp waves were present--also vertex sharp waves and enhanced beta activity as well as some brief sleep spindles---does anyone know what all that means???!!).
I am not a dr. but I can tell you that I've heard enough of this to say that it certainly sounds like seizures. The sharp waves indicate that there is a 'misfiring' of electricity in the brain and it is emiting impulses that will cause the fainting. How old is your child?
From my own experience when I started having seizures that were stronger than those of childhood, the family doc told me a whole list of things that it could be and when he named epilepsy that was the only one that I thought it was definitely not. I always thought that people who had epilepsy were retarded (forgive me for this word). But in retrospect, I learned that epilepsy didn't mean that at all. It simply meant that there was an electical impulse that required medication in many cases to control. You would probably be amazed at the amount of people that have seizures. Many times in children it goes undiagnosed for years. A child might show signs by 'rolling there eyes' and seeming to 'ignore' when someone is speaking to them. Also it can manifest itself in the smacking of lips and pulling at clothes. The postictal(sp?) stage of seizures in many is lethargy and confusion and completely not remembering what has happened or forgetting things and repeating themselves frequently. These are only a few things that could happen, I have experienced most of them, but in every case there is something different.
I can't imagine what a mother would go through when they find out that their child has epilepsy. I can only go on what mine went through and what my wife experiences when I have one. I know it's scary, but you can help her overcome some of the emotional issues that are associated with it. If you need help in any way as far as someone who knows what it's like, please post something else and I will respond. The support groups for epilepsy are tremendously helpful, also there are probably support groups at a local hospital. If you have time for them, it is a major benefit. I hope something in my post will help you. God bless you 8-)
Chaddy
kjslmom;
I am not a dr. and am new to this, also. The little knowledge I have is book knowledge and info found on the internet. The only thing I know about what you posted is sharp waves. Sharp waves are epileptiform waves, markers for seizures. The "temporal" refers to the area of the brain, it would seem these are epileptogenic foci, meaning areas that could be the source of seizures. If you have the report, why not look up the terms so you can better understand them. Also, the book and sites I posted are great.
dizzee,
I felt terribly dizzy and out of it for months after my 1st complex partial seizure. I felt like I could/would have a seizure at any minute and wonder if it was seizure activity. It slowly began to clear up and didn't totally (if I can even say that now) until a week after I started my Trileptal. That was 7 months later!!!
I am not a dr. and am new to this, also. The little knowledge I have is book knowledge and info found on the internet. The only thing I know about what you posted is sharp waves. Sharp waves are epileptiform waves, markers for seizures. The "temporal" refers to the area of the brain, it would seem these are epileptogenic foci, meaning areas that could be the source of seizures. If you have the report, why not look up the terms so you can better understand them. Also, the book and sites I posted are great.
dizzee,
I felt terribly dizzy and out of it for months after my 1st complex partial seizure. I felt like I could/would have a seizure at any minute and wonder if it was seizure activity. It slowly began to clear up and didn't totally (if I can even say that now) until a week after I started my Trileptal. That was 7 months later!!!
Well, I just happened upon this site and so glad that I did. I had my first ever seizure and it scared me to death. Those that helped me said I turned from blue, to purple to black. I really didn't know what happened. I was sitting in a meeting and woke to a parametic asking me what day it was and I have no recolection of anything until waking in the hospital and wondering why my tongue was so sore. I almost bit it in half. I too was on Zoloft for approx 2 years...and switched to Wellbutrin because of the weight gain on Zoloft. I too was approximately to the end of my period. There was no time between the switch from Zoloft to Wellbutrin. Could this be the problem? I spent 4 days in the hospital and endured the CT Scan, the bloodwork, the MRI, EEG etc. No tumors, no stroke..but the EEG showed some problems??? When I switched to Wellbutrin, I noticed the nervousness, shakes... but I just thought that would be to get used to the new anti-depressant. Now, after the seizure I am still very dizzy and disoriented...my tongue is very thick and I just can't seem to get it right. I have always been a very expresive person and now I really don't feel like I am all with it. I sure hope we can find the problem here....good luck to you all....
my 19 year old daughter had 2 episodes that I call "fainting", one in March 2001 and one in August 2001. She went completely out--knew she was going (weak wobbly knees, went blank before she fell). She had stitches in her head after the first one and $2000 worth of dental work after the 2nd. I don't know what made her faint, but now the neurologist said she had an abnormal EEG (left mid temporal sharp waves and left temporal high amplitude sharp waves were present--also vertex sharp waves and enhanced beta activity as well as some brief sleep spindles---does anyone know what all that means???!!). Her MRI was normal. Now she is on 100mg lamictal for seizures, but I have a hard time believing she is having seizures and needs this medicine. Does the EEG prove that she is having seizures--I'm very confused no matter what I read.
I have had seizures since I was a little kid but was not diagnosed until I was 22 y/o. Currently I am on 500mg Lamictal and probably will go up to 600. The 500 works great, but if I miss my dose by a couple of hours sometimes I have a breakthrough seizure. I have RTL focal point seizures. I sometimes will have a grandmal. But for the most part when I have them, I feel as though I am on a different planet. I have had a horrific experience with seizures and am thankful that the docs have found something that works(after trying multiple others). Lamictal is awesome. Thank you also for the yahoo groups for support. I will get on one to see if I can help others that are going through the same things.
God bless!
Chad
God bless!
Chad
i'll let her know and thanks. We will get to the book store later this week.
Dear Jim,
Please tell Melissa I wish for her the same! As far as your daughter is concerned, children are so smart and resilient. I would sit down and explain things to her and reassure her. Give her some instruction in case it would happen again. Maybe your neurologist would have something to add. OH, by the way, there are a number of childrens' books (story books) about epilepsy!!! I think it would be good for you to look into them. If you do, let me know what you came up with, if you don't mind.
Yours,
jan
P.S. If Melissa or you would like to email me, my address is ***@****
Please tell Melissa I wish for her the same! As far as your daughter is concerned, children are so smart and resilient. I would sit down and explain things to her and reassure her. Give her some instruction in case it would happen again. Maybe your neurologist would have something to add. OH, by the way, there are a number of childrens' books (story books) about epilepsy!!! I think it would be good for you to look into them. If you do, let me know what you came up with, if you don't mind.
Yours,
jan
P.S. If Melissa or you would like to email me, my address is ***@****
I shared our communication with Melissa over the weekend and her response was "May god speed your recovery". I am now worried what effect going through this may have on our 4 year old daughter. She was the only witness to my wife's first two seizures.
Jim
Jim
Thank you Jan,
It has been good to have someone to type to as we have gone from denial to shock to acceptance. Per the neurologist, Melissa has
It has been good to have someone to type to as we have gone from denial to shock to acceptance. Per the neurologist, Melissa has
I never knew there was adult onset, either. I was just diagnosed in Oct. of last year. I had a complex partial seizure (from left temporal lobe) in March and last week epi. explained I have had simple partials. It took all that time to get a diagnosis because I have been diagnosed with syncope, also. That makes for quite a bit of confusion!
I have gained knowledge from the support clubs I mentioned above and the links provided therein. I have read 2 books, "A Guide to Understanding and Living with Epilepsy" by Orrin Deinsky, MD and "Epilepsy, 199 Answers, A Doctor Responds to His Patients' Questions" by Andrew N. Wilner, MD,FACP
I am considering starting a support group through Yahoo for adult onset of epilepsy. The clubs I mentioned are a real asset, but I feel they can't relate to what someone experiences getting this later in life. But it seems my get up and go, got up and went. LOL Maybe after I adjust to this diagnosis and the Trileptal, I will get to it.
I have gained knowledge from the support clubs I mentioned above and the links provided therein. I have read 2 books, "A Guide to Understanding and Living with Epilepsy" by Orrin Deinsky, MD and "Epilepsy, 199 Answers, A Doctor Responds to His Patients' Questions" by Andrew N. Wilner, MD,FACP
I am considering starting a support group through Yahoo for adult onset of epilepsy. The clubs I mentioned are a real asset, but I feel they can't relate to what someone experiences getting this later in life. But it seems my get up and go, got up and went. LOL Maybe after I adjust to this diagnosis and the Trileptal, I will get to it.
I reread what you said about your med and the side effect (headache). I had some side effects at 1st and the neuro cut back just for a couple of wks. and then split the morning dose up. I take 1/2 at 9:30 a.m. and the other 1/2 at 1:30 p.m. Maybe something like this would help you.
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