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What seizure meds are also anti-anxiety?

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 20:33

I don't know if I can take the extra anxiety from the lamictal for too much longer. I have to do so much and go to therapy to contain it. Otherwise my sense of awareness is so strong that I get adrenaline rushes from loud sounds or get nervous in a car ride. I have this constant neck tightness also from being nervous. I will talk to my Dr. soon to see if it's worth taking anymore because I also can't sleep without trazodone. 

 So what are my options for ant-anxiety anti-convulsants? I have JME or generalized ep.

Comments

Re: What seizure meds are also anti-anxiety?

Submitted by Masterjen on Wed, 2010-11-10 - 16:20
Hi, Angela; I've never had any issues with mood or anxiety disorders either before or since the diagnosis of E. I'm on lamictal, and I do feel like it has "slowed down" my brain function somewhat, and as it is for you with anxiety, I'm not sure if it is the onset of the E that is causing this or the medication. Lamictal is the 4th med. I've been on, and I've noticed this brain function change for all of them. For ex: I'm not quite as quick to have a witty come-back during a conversation, and my memory is mildly affected - mainly short -term. My neuro. is not concerned about the mild degrees to which I experience this change in brain function, and it doesn't bother me in a huge way: I consider it a small price to pay for finally getting at least some seizure control. I could see the "brain change" potentially affecting my job when I go back to work, however, because of it's fast pace, high level of mental quickness, multi-tasking, and ability to immediately come up with answers and/or make decisions. I know this last part is a bit off track, but it's an issue that concerns me.

Re: What seizure meds are also anti-anxiety?

Submitted by Bedge on Thu, 2010-11-11 - 10:10

Hi Angela,

Moods and TLE can be one and the same. I have a mood disorder and TLE. In fact, its called "temporal lobe phenomena" but good luck finding anything online about it. I fit in to that picture. I usually just tend to get quite miserable, and I do get pretty bad anxiety at times, I might be a tiny tiny bit bipolarish - but that is still under review.

So yes, having temporal lobe epilepsy can be means to having a mood disorder, or two! But, Neurologist's dont tend to like the term temporal lobe phenomena, as they generally think of it as something Shrinks are making up.

Its has taken a really good Shrink to pull this whole picture together for me. We are now tackeling Neuros to get it all rounded off.

 

------------------------------ Peace, Love, Mung Beans

Hi Angela,

Moods and TLE can be one and the same. I have a mood disorder and TLE. In fact, its called "temporal lobe phenomena" but good luck finding anything online about it. I fit in to that picture. I usually just tend to get quite miserable, and I do get pretty bad anxiety at times, I might be a tiny tiny bit bipolarish - but that is still under review.

So yes, having temporal lobe epilepsy can be means to having a mood disorder, or two! But, Neurologist's dont tend to like the term temporal lobe phenomena, as they generally think of it as something Shrinks are making up.

Its has taken a really good Shrink to pull this whole picture together for me. We are now tackeling Neuros to get it all rounded off.

 

------------------------------ Peace, Love, Mung Beans

Re: What seizure meds are also anti-anxiety?

Submitted by angelacarwile on Thu, 2010-11-11 - 11:04

Thank you so much for your response!! That makes total sense to me. As I understand it TLE effects our emotions, cognitive ability and motor functions at times... I guess my main concern has been the fact that I have received multiple diagnosis for the same problem from Dr's who don't know my history and have only met me for about an hour. It's irritating to say the least. I thank God for my Neurologist. He's wonderful! I'm going to discuss this with him and get his take on it. I may also make an appt. with a psychologist in order to get a more "well-rounded" perspective on this whole thing.

I feel truly blessed that my seizures have almost stopped completely (a few electric shocks now and then, but no MAJOR events to speak of). Now I want to tackle this overwhelming anxiety I've been having lately. I've  been one to "control" my emotions by faith and just let God take the reigns... God has been so good to me, I've just found it harder to deal with in these past few weeks. I know God has me covered :) I need to learn how to let go again.

Again, thank you so much for the information and advice! It's always great to talk to someone who can relate :) I love this website!!

Take care and God Bless!!!

Angela

Thank you so much for your response!! That makes total sense to me. As I understand it TLE effects our emotions, cognitive ability and motor functions at times... I guess my main concern has been the fact that I have received multiple diagnosis for the same problem from Dr's who don't know my history and have only met me for about an hour. It's irritating to say the least. I thank God for my Neurologist. He's wonderful! I'm going to discuss this with him and get his take on it. I may also make an appt. with a psychologist in order to get a more "well-rounded" perspective on this whole thing.

I feel truly blessed that my seizures have almost stopped completely (a few electric shocks now and then, but no MAJOR events to speak of). Now I want to tackle this overwhelming anxiety I've been having lately. I've  been one to "control" my emotions by faith and just let God take the reigns... God has been so good to me, I've just found it harder to deal with in these past few weeks. I know God has me covered :) I need to learn how to let go again.

Again, thank you so much for the information and advice! It's always great to talk to someone who can relate :) I love this website!!

Take care and God Bless!!!

Angela

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