[stef40]

Hi I posted on the new member community and found this forum. Tons of information here.

My name is Stephanie and I have had epilepsy for 15 years. I have been on at least 7 AED with no relief. The only time i was seizure free was when I was pregnant. My daughter was born and one day later they started again.

I've been on 800mg of Lamictal for 2 years. My dr added diamox for a couples months; didn't work. No need for birth control; tubes tied. Now he has put me on Vimpat. I lasted a month at 200mg a day and thought I was losing my mind. No medicine has ever made me so mean then sad. I scared myself, husband and 2 year old. I stopped taking it right away.

I have spells once a month during my menstrual cycle. I'd rather have those spells than feel that way. My doctor is going to have to put me on something else. I've read that topamax has really helped lots of people combined with other drugs. Has anyone been on both and had good results? I'm willing to try anything

[Porkette]

Hi Stef,
Welcome to the forum! When I took lamictal I broke out with a rash after taking it for only 4 days and I had to stop the drug, I also tried taking Topamax but that drug increased my seizures (sz.) like crazy. I've found that when I had my monthly cycles the best drug to help me was taking Diamox because it got rid of the extra fluids in my body that triggered sz. What's happening with the body is that the progesterone level is going down and the estrogen level is going up when you go through your monthly cycle. Progesterone calms the nerves while estrogen causes more excitment and that's what causes the seizures. I also found that eating peanuts or almonds was a big help because they have progesterone oil in them so you might want to eat some peanut or almonds as long as you aren't allergic to them. I wish you the best and May God Bless You!

Sue

[waves]

And welcome aboard.

I know one person who tended to have catamenial seizures and she was treated with a combination of Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Dilantin (phenytoin).

I hope you can get some relief. I don't have epilepsy so no seizures, but i have migraines at that time of the month.

Take care... i hope you find a med combo that works. Sometimes it does take a fair bit of trial and error. And every individual is different.



~ waves ~