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Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 16:27

So, I know everyone's different when it comes to seizures and medications; but I'm hoping to get some positive vibes. I am 28 years old and my husband and I want to start trying to have a baby in either October or November. A while ago my neurologist told me when I decide that I want to have a baby to let him know at least 6 months before we start trying. So I told him in February when we wanted to start. I'm on Keppra and Lamictal, but he wants me on just one medication. That being said, I chose to stay on Lamictal because I had really bad side affects with Keppra. So, I'm off Keppra in 2 weeks and he increased my dosage for Lamictal to 400 mg a day (I'm a little nervous with the transition but trying to stay positive). He said I should be fine being that I haven't had a seizure since Sept. 2006 and my seizures are controllable. He told me all the information that I needed to know about being pregnant while on Lamictal. Oh, and I am also taking Folic Acid. Although he told me everything I needed to know, I also want to get some feedback from women who are pregnant or were pregnant while being on Lamictal. Were your seizures controllable while on Lamictal before becoming pregnant? And were there any changes while being pregnant?

 I would love to hear some feedback, thanks!

Comments

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by michaela23 on Thu, 2009-10-01 - 13:08

i am also on lamictal and want to become pregnant but i am not sure on the amount of folic acid i am allowed to take as i also take 2 different types of medication for my epilepsy. please can someone give any sort of answer or even advice as i cant really go to my doc as he is away and i am in the need of some help over this

 

thankyou from michaela

i am also on lamictal and want to become pregnant but i am not sure on the amount of folic acid i am allowed to take as i also take 2 different types of medication for my epilepsy. please can someone give any sort of answer or even advice as i cant really go to my doc as he is away and i am in the need of some help over this

 

thankyou from michaela

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by civatie on Thu, 2009-10-22 - 02:48
My name is Elizabeth and I have had epilepsy since I was 7 yrs old, so like 23 yrs now. I had been on all the known seizure drugs and none of them worked until I started Lamictal when i was 18 and for the last 12 years it seems like it has worked. I take a total of 500 mgs a day and I haven't had seizures anymore at all. But I am now coming to the point in my life where I am about to get married and want to have at least one baby not too long from now. I went to see my neurologist and he said that it should be fine, but of course had to tell me the statistics and I think it may have spooked my fiancee a bit, with the cleft palette part that is. I would never of course go off my medicines because that would just ruin everything for me, but part of me is sooo worried that something might be wrong with my child. I know he said the chances of it are pretty slim, but its hard not to have that fear in me that because of me my child might be deformed. Should I really be this worried? I mean it sounds like most of you here have had good experiences with the lamictal and your babies. I just have that fear in me that you probably all did too at one point in time. Any thoughts?

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by elvis101 on Mon, 2009-10-26 - 00:52

Hi Elizabeth,

 

My name is Lisa & I have been taking lamictal for 10yrs.  When I planned on gettting preg my Dr was very confident w/ lamictal but I did take  folic acid to help reduce any possible problems w/ pregancy itself.  I too was diagnosed w/ epilepsy since I'm 8yr & I am now 43, but have been controlled for most of my eoilespy life. (except for 4yrs total)  I had a healthy baby girl, she was a premie, but that can be w/ anyone.  She was 5wks early.  (4.15oz She is now 3 & a very happy & healthy child. I did have to go up  on my dosage 200mg during the preg but came back down 6mths later but only 100mg.  Pregnancy changes alot, but I had complex partials which was induced by PMS.  So, hormones played a big part of my seizure.  Honestly. I controlled my self from worry, cause worry brings stress & stress can induce seizures, so i only thought happy thoughts.  best of luck to u!try, i know its very hard but try just thinking about the happy thoughts

 

Lisa

 

Hi Elizabeth,

 

My name is Lisa & I have been taking lamictal for 10yrs.  When I planned on gettting preg my Dr was very confident w/ lamictal but I did take  folic acid to help reduce any possible problems w/ pregancy itself.  I too was diagnosed w/ epilepsy since I'm 8yr & I am now 43, but have been controlled for most of my eoilespy life. (except for 4yrs total)  I had a healthy baby girl, she was a premie, but that can be w/ anyone.  She was 5wks early.  (4.15oz She is now 3 & a very happy & healthy child. I did have to go up  on my dosage 200mg during the preg but came back down 6mths later but only 100mg.  Pregnancy changes alot, but I had complex partials which was induced by PMS.  So, hormones played a big part of my seizure.  Honestly. I controlled my self from worry, cause worry brings stress & stress can induce seizures, so i only thought happy thoughts.  best of luck to u!try, i know its very hard but try just thinking about the happy thoughts

 

Lisa

 

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