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combination of lamictal and topamax
Mon, 12/17/2007 - 03:45I developed epilepsy 9 years ago, i was on epilim for a number of years unsuccessfully, and have been on lamictal for the past 4 years, i am on 400mg. I was still having seizures and went to see my neuro he added in 200mg of topamax which i have been on for the past 4 months but my seizures have increased and have gone from nocturnal to during the day (complex partial). My neuro is now gradually increasing my dose to 400mg. My condition seems to be getting worse rather than getting better since i started on the topamax and im wondering if the increase in dose will help or just lead to more seizures.
He then suggested at the end, if this doesnt work he will reccommend that i go to the epilepsy clinic, where they will take me off all my medication and wait for me to have a seizure then do some tests and scans, to see if im a candidate for surgery.
I am wondering has anyone else been on the same dose 400mg of lamictal and 400mg of topamax, and has it helped? The thought of surgery isnt pleasant!
My neuro also hasnt performed any blood tests for my medication levels, i asked him about this and his reply was " You cant check the levels for these particular drugs". is this true?
Comments
Re: combination of lamictal and topamax
Submitted by phunn on Wed, 2008-04-09 - 15:02
Reesie...
Speaking from my experience and my experience only, Topamax should be taken off of the market. But that is just me. Check out this website for some information. The PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) is a resource most often used by physicians regarding 'meds'. The side-effects I experienced centered around the 'visual/anorexia/loss of concentration/memory problems (big time!)/and most of the others mentioned. I don't remember what my dose was. I'm sure it was higher than what you are on. I was also on Depokote. My family/friends/co-workers said my personality changed. I don't remember.
My advice: Keep close tabs on it and expect your physician to answer any and all questions. That is what he is there for.
Reesie...
Speaking from my experience and my experience only, Topamax should be taken off of the market. But that is just me. Check out this website for some information. The PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) is a resource most often used by physicians regarding 'meds'. The side-effects I experienced centered around the 'visual/anorexia/loss of concentration/memory problems (big time!)/and most of the others mentioned. I don't remember what my dose was. I'm sure it was higher than what you are on. I was also on Depokote. My family/friends/co-workers said my personality changed. I don't remember.
My advice: Keep close tabs on it and expect your physician to answer any and all questions. That is what he is there for.
Re: combination of lamictal and topamax
Submitted by reesie on Wed, 2008-04-09 - 13:54
I don't mean to intrude, I don't have Epilepsy,I have severe migraines and I take both of these drugs and a hormone. My doses aren't as high as yours,but I worry about my levels and the long term effects they are having on my body.The topomax alone could not handle the migraines and after a few other meds my neuro added the lamictal.The combo worked good until menopause...don't laugh.Now I have the added blessing of hormones to help calm the migraines back to once a month.They were daily.I have noticed a slight change in memory, and brain function,even some personality quirks I don't care for.It might be "the Pause", but I'm not so sure.Do you think the combo could effect me this way?I'm on it 4 years.