Starting Vimpat
 

Hi Folks,

I just saw my new Epi today and I was very pleased with her my former Epi retired. I've been taking keppra for a yr. now and it has stopped the clonic and complex partial sz. but it increased my absence sz. to over 100 more than last yr. so my new Epi has put me on vimpat and has taken me off the keppra.
I'm also looking into having more brain surgery done. I had a veeg done this past April and now they have found 3 different areas that are triggering sz. for me so the only type of surgery that might work in reducing or stopping my sz. is a neuropace device that will stop the sz. in 2 areas of my brain. I have to see my neurosurgeon and get things going and hopefully I will be able to have surgery soon. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Good news!!
 

Hi Darlene,

Thanks so much for your prayers and support I greatly appreciate it. I'm am so happy for you that you haven't had any sz. in such a long time and I will let you know I know the neurosurgeon who may be doing surgery on me and he is great. He did my 2nd brain surgery on me in 1994.
I agree with you that all of us with Epilepsy need to stick together and support each other as well as stand up for our legal rights. Here's wishing you the best of luck, a sz. free life, and May God Bless You!

Sue

Hi Sue,

just stopping by... i am glad you like your new Epi. i hope the Vimpat helps and i want to wish you well for the surgery you are looking into also. :hug:

Darlene, hi... may you continue seizure-free! :hug: :)

~ waves ~

Hi Waves,

This is my 2nd day on vimpat and I have had 3 sz. but that's because I'm on a low dosage and I have to slowly work my way up I will be increasing the vimpat on Sunday. I have noticed I don't feel as tired as I did while on the keppra and I have more energy. In regards to the surgery it will be a long time before it happens if my surgeon allows it. Thanks for your support and time and May God Bless You!


Sue

I have been on Vimpat for a month now and I started to have frequent seizures. Called my Epi yesterday to let him know about the seizures and he decided to take me off of Vimpat. Still taking good ol Tegretol XR! I didn't really notice any great changes when it comes to side affects, although everyone responds differently. Your in my thoughts and prayers!

Hi Tiger Lilly,

I'm sorry you noticed an increase in the sz. with the vimpat. I haven't been on it long enough to see an increase but I did notice that I had 2 days of cluster sz. but that has happened no matter what AED I take. One thing I have noticed is that I don't feel so tired like I did while on keppra. I wish you the best and you are in my prayers. May God Bless You!

Sue

Hi Folks,

I just wanted to update you on the vimpat starting today my Epi is going to increase my vimpat 100 mg. because just like you Tiger Lilly I've been having more sz. I'm a little concerned because I read that vimpat can increase sz. for some people. I will give it a try going from 100 mg. to 200 mg. a day and see if that works if not my next option is to try the atkins diet if my health ins. company will approve it right now they are only covering to see a dietician if a person is a diabetic. The Epilepsy Center I go to is sending the ins. co. info. about the diet along with a note from the Dr. stating this may be the only way to go now. Here's wishing all of You well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Hugs
 

Dear Sue,

i too hope that the increase in dose works out to decrease/eliminate seizures. will be looking for updates.... take care. :hug:

~ waves ~

the neuropace device
 

Hi there, the neuropace device, are they talking about the Responsive NeuroStimulator (RNS)? If so let me know, I've had it for 4 years, and I can give you some pretty good info on it.
How is the Vimpat working for you? I have a friend that has severe epilepsy just like me, and for the past 20 years this is the first med that has ever made her seizure free for over a year now. So I'm going to ask my epi about starting it, and hope and pray it will help me like it has her.

Hi Shawn,

The vimpat was working good for me but since the season has changed and it's fall I have seen an increase in my seizures but that's nothing new every yr. I have more sz. in the fall an winter.

You are correct I may be getting an RNS for my seizures. What I'm concerned about is how I've read that the RNS can make a persons seizures worse and I sure don't need that to happen. They have now found 3 different areas in my brain that are causing my seizures and I was told that with the RNS it could stop the seizures from coming in 2 different areas.

The vimpat has very little side effect but you do have to have blood tests done often to check your liver and also have a CBC (complete blood count).

I wish you and your friend the best of luck and thank you so much for sharing the info. about the RNS. May God Bless You!

Sue

the new neuropace
 

I have the new Neuropace device it's the Responsive NeuroStimulator (RNS). It's helped me ALOT more than the VNS ever did!! It hasn't stopped my seizures, but it makes it where during the total confusion, I'm not all that confused. I can think my way through it some and not do anything stupid most of the time. The only side affect is depending on what part of the brain the wires are implanted. You might get a tiny flashing light in one of your eyes, or a little blurred vision or something. That's how it goes for me since the wires are implanted into the left temporal lobe.
Sincerely
Shawn