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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 scorpiofire26 on Tue, 2010-08-31 - 12:17

I am so happy I found this discussion... I read through some of the posts and want to ask some of the same questions and see if there is anyone out there in my situation.  I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 15 after having a grand mal seizure on a school bus.  I was put on Depakote at the time and that stopped the seizures.  I have a photosensitivity (i.e. strobe lights, sun flashing through the trees, etc) which is my trigger.  However, I am now almost 30 and have been on Lamictal for the last 8 years, seizure free.  I have been married 7 years and am finally starting to think about having children, but am absolutely TERRIFIED!!  I am a sales rep for a living, so I spend a lot of time in the car and one of my biggest fears is having a seizure while pregnant and driving.  Is there anyone out there that was in a similar situation, with controlled seizures on Lamictal??  I have read that women with few or no seizures prior to becoming pregnant are the most likely to get through pregnancy without seizures.  DOes anyone know if this is true?


And I know the importance of taking folic acid... but is it possible to just take a prenatal (with the 800 mcg folic acid) and get the rest of the recommended amount from natural food sources and fortified foods?  My neurologist prescribes a 1 MG tablet for me to take once a day and I am uncomfortable taking it... would rather get it from natural sources.  Any opinions or facts are welcome!

I am so happy I found this discussion... I read through some of the posts and want to ask some of the same questions and see if there is anyone out there in my situation.  I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 15 after having a grand mal seizure on a school bus.  I was put on Depakote at the time and that stopped the seizures.  I have a photosensitivity (i.e. strobe lights, sun flashing through the trees, etc) which is my trigger.  However, I am now almost 30 and have been on Lamictal for the last 8 years, seizure free.  I have been married 7 years and am finally starting to think about having children, but am absolutely TERRIFIED!!  I am a sales rep for a living, so I spend a lot of time in the car and one of my biggest fears is having a seizure while pregnant and driving.  Is there anyone out there that was in a similar situation, with controlled seizures on Lamictal??  I have read that women with few or no seizures prior to becoming pregnant are the most likely to get through pregnancy without seizures.  DOes anyone know if this is true?


And I know the importance of taking folic acid... but is it possible to just take a prenatal (with the 800 mcg folic acid) and get the rest of the recommended amount from natural food sources and fortified foods?  My neurologist prescribes a 1 MG tablet for me to take once a day and I am uncomfortable taking it... would rather get it from natural sources.  Any opinions or facts are welcome!

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by queente318 on Tue, 2011-01-04 - 10:50

I absolutely love being on Lamictal, I've been seizure free for a little over 4 years now. Sleep deprivation and stress are my triggers and strobe lights can trigger my seizures as well. My neuro said I need more sleep than the average person; believe it or not, I'm lucky if I could sleep for a whole 8 hours, I'm just not tired. I could understand why you would be terrified, because you do a lot of traveling by car. I would definitely speak to your neurologist about this. As for women with few or no seizures most likely not having seizures while being pregnant-I don't know how true that is. In my opinion it's hard to say that is true because everyone's body is different, as well as their seizures and the medication that they're on. Although I stay positive and think only good things, I still have to take into consideration of the negative things that could happen. All I can do is take care of myself and continue to take my medication. Plus my husband is an EMT, so that definitely helps me feel better. Another thing my husband and I discussed are our finances, because God forbid if I do have a seizure while I'm pregnant, I'll most likely have to stay home for my entire pregnancy and go on disability; and being on disability means that I'll see less money in my paycheck.

 Is there a reason why you feel uncomfortable taking the folic acid? I've been on it since I had my first seizure and I've been fine on it.

I absolutely love being on Lamictal, I've been seizure free for a little over 4 years now. Sleep deprivation and stress are my triggers and strobe lights can trigger my seizures as well. My neuro said I need more sleep than the average person; believe it or not, I'm lucky if I could sleep for a whole 8 hours, I'm just not tired. I could understand why you would be terrified, because you do a lot of traveling by car. I would definitely speak to your neurologist about this. As for women with few or no seizures most likely not having seizures while being pregnant-I don't know how true that is. In my opinion it's hard to say that is true because everyone's body is different, as well as their seizures and the medication that they're on. Although I stay positive and think only good things, I still have to take into consideration of the negative things that could happen. All I can do is take care of myself and continue to take my medication. Plus my husband is an EMT, so that definitely helps me feel better. Another thing my husband and I discussed are our finances, because God forbid if I do have a seizure while I'm pregnant, I'll most likely have to stay home for my entire pregnancy and go on disability; and being on disability means that I'll see less money in my paycheck.

 Is there a reason why you feel uncomfortable taking the folic acid? I've been on it since I had my first seizure and I've been fine on it.

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by scorpiofire26 on Tue, 2011-01-25 - 16:18

I love the Lamictal as well and I haven't had any issues with it.  I think my biggest mental hang up about getting pregnant is my fear of having a seizure.  My OB/Gyn and Neurologist both say that I will be fine and that all they have to do is monitor my Lamictal level.  But pregnancy changes your body in so many ways and since I don't know how my body will handle it, I get worried about the negative (which I know I shouldn't do).  My husband has been pushing the issue lately and I am running out of excuses why we shouldn't try and get pregnant.  I too would have to worry about finances if I had to stay home, but I am sure I could figure something out.

I am not entirely sure why I feel uncomfortable taking the folic acid, but I just prefer to get nutrients from natural sources or fotrified foods.  Plus I usually forget to take it.

If you don't mind my asking, how much Lamictal do you take? And how far are you into your pregnancy?

 

I love the Lamictal as well and I haven't had any issues with it.  I think my biggest mental hang up about getting pregnant is my fear of having a seizure.  My OB/Gyn and Neurologist both say that I will be fine and that all they have to do is monitor my Lamictal level.  But pregnancy changes your body in so many ways and since I don't know how my body will handle it, I get worried about the negative (which I know I shouldn't do).  My husband has been pushing the issue lately and I am running out of excuses why we shouldn't try and get pregnant.  I too would have to worry about finances if I had to stay home, but I am sure I could figure something out.

I am not entirely sure why I feel uncomfortable taking the folic acid, but I just prefer to get nutrients from natural sources or fotrified foods.  Plus I usually forget to take it.

If you don't mind my asking, how much Lamictal do you take? And how far are you into your pregnancy?

 

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