Epilepsy Medication...

System

i hope your friend gets the help he needs. i know side effects can be off putting but like others have said no matter how rare the side effects are they have to be listed.

clivejohnson

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Thanks. It seems there hasn't been any informed choice with it all really. The Neurologist appointments are short, often rushed and running late.

Medications is just prescribed without any discussion or options. If you go to a car dealer you get a choice of models in a range. Each has different benefits/disadvantages. Just the same as this I guess.

TEN may not occur or SJS but if somone was to say to me it will do your health good to put your hand in a tank of pirranah fish - but there's a chance they will strip your skin to the bone - I think I would be cautious!

So he/she hasn't had an ECG at all? If not, why not?

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

clivejohnson wrote: »

So he/she hasn't had an ECG at all? If not, why not?

Yes they had an EEG in September last year

Thea

'A drug with no side effects is a drug with no effects'

Its hard going, manufacturer has to list every known side effect but the chances of your relative suffering from something so rare are very very small. Are there any local groups or forums they can join? The support might help them make a more informed decision.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Thea wrote: »

'A drug with no side effects is a drug with no effects'

Its hard going, manufacturer has to list every known side effect but the chances of your relative suffering from something so rare are very very small. Are there any local groups or forums they can join? The support might help them make a more informed decision.

Now that [ a drug with no side effects is a drug with no effects ] is a ' nail~it~down ' perfectly succinct description.

Humphrey10

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Google brings up quite a list of medications that are used to treat Epilepsy but it seems that Sodium Valproate and Lamotrigine is the first one reached for. Possibly the "Calpol" of the range.

The type of medication depends on the type of seizure. The neurologist said he had chosen what to prescribe for me because it is relatively safe and is often effective at stopping the type of seizures I have. I imagine your relative's neurologist has made a similar choice - chosen something that is as safe as possible and likely to be effective.

Deal_Chaser

Hi
I agree with most of the other posts on this thread .. medicines for epilepsy ALL come with listed side - effects however they affect people in deifferent ways ie what works with little problems for one person could be ideal for others. I have been thru the whole drug chart and have v difficult Epilesy to control my epilespsy is like you described for your relative largely petit mals on reg basis of different strengths... grand mal albeit not so many now as my drugs appear to be better controlled now. I admit that some drugs have had more side effects than others ie weight loss/weight gain/overdosed drugs!!/sickness & dizziness/gingivitus/allergic reactions. I must stress these have all be prescribed & discussed at length with neurologists & occ review by GP just chat.
Consult specialist with Qs side effects albeit good neuros will point these out b4 prescribing. Epilepsy is serious and can be life threatening and like my grand mal very severe to point of fractured vertabrae whilst under observation.. This cannot be ignored as all drugs have side effects but Epilepsy has v serious side effects/injury/comfusion/dangerous situations & even death.
Your friend needs to balance these out....

clivejohnson

Deal_Chaser wrote: »

Hi
I agree with most of the other posts on this thread .. medicines for epilepsy ALL come with listed side - effects however they affect people in deifferent ways ie what works with little problems for one person could be ideal for others. I have been thru the whole drug chart and have v difficult Epilesy to control my epilespsy is like you described for your relative largely petit mals on reg basis of different strengths... grand mal albeit not so many now as my drugs appear to be better controlled now. I admit that some drugs have had more side effects than others ie weight loss/weight gain/overdosed drugs!!/sickness & dizziness/gingivitus/allergic reactions. I must stress these have all be prescribed & discussed at length with neurologists & occ review by GP just chat.
Consult specialist with Qs side effects albeit good neuros will point these out b4 prescribing. Epilepsy is serious and can be life threatening and like my grand mal very severe to point of fractured vertabrae whilst under observation.. This cannot be ignored as all drugs have side effects but Epilepsy has v serious side effects/injury/comfusion/dangerous situations & even death.
Your friend needs to balance these out....

Humphrey10 wrote: »

The type of medication depends on the type of seizure. The neurologist said he had chosen what to prescribe for me because it is relatively safe and is often effective at stopping the type of seizures I have. I imagine your relative's neurologist has made a similar choice - chosen something that is as safe as possible and likely to be effective.

Spot on!

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Yes they had an EEG in September last year

..and what was the outcome? From this, the neurologist should be able to decide/discuss the options with your relative as to what medication they should be on.

samdd

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

A family member has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. They suffer Petit Mal, Complex Partial and Myoclonic Seizures.

They were prescribed a drug called Lamotrigine but on reading the side-effect list they refused to take it. There was a side-effect reported called Steven-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

The person looked this up and the conditions are serious and potentially life-threatening.

Their GP then prescibed them Sodium Valproate. Again the same side effect was reported in the leaflet enclosed despite them asking the GP. Suffice to say these tablets were also returned to the Pharmacy and the GP had completely wasted their time.

Can any Epilepsy sufferers here tell me if there are any drugs to treat this that do not have this side effect reported. Currently the person will refuse any medication that carries this. Their opinion is that they were putting up with the seizures and would rather carry on like that than risk this dangerous side effect. I understand that it may be rare but they do not see it like that.

Can anyone tell me the ramifications of not taking medication for this condition?

I'm probably going to get slashed for saying this but, Iv'e also recently been diagnosed with Epilepsy (frontal Lobe) and prescribed Retard Tegratol. 200mg and 400mg.

The Tegratol list of side effects reads like a bloody horror story so I put off taking them for a few months before actually taking the plunge on account the seizures were becoming to regular.

Its wasnt long (2 weeks) before i started to feel like !!!! all day everyday, unexpected dizziness, vomiting. severe head shocks etc etc. I decided i would rather suffer a seizure that feel like death warmed up everyday.

Anyway, a mate of mine suggested that i try a smoke of Marijuana.
To cut a long story short... I haven't had ONE seizure in the last 4 months, whereas before marijuana i was having at least 1 seizure a-week. It appears that one Joint daily is the cure for me.

Personally i don't give a hoot whether its legal or not.. people/the system can think what they want.. it works for me and I'll continue to use it if it allows me to operate normally.

TBH id find your own way of controlling the seizures if you don't fancy feeling like crap all day on the awful side effects of conventional medicine .. However it may be your only option to take conventional medication.

Sorry i cant be of any more help but Good Luck....

Mordred12

I have Epilepsy, I started when I was 15 and I'm now 34. Over that period I have tried 4 different drugs to deal with it.

I have tried the following....

Epilim, with this drug I got really violent tempers and often felt dizzy.

Tegretol, No side effects but if anything after a bit it made the Fits worse.

Lamotrigine, I got a really bad rash all over my arms and legs and they had to take me off the medicine, This was after 2 years of using it I got the Rash.

Pregabalin: No side effects yet. I used to have 2 to 3 fits a week and since taking this medicine I have now around 1 to 2 a month.

Hope this helps.