Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

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 lyzolari on Mon, 2010-01-18 - 17:48
To all WWE who have already had children (while having epilepsy):

Please consider participating in a survey about WWE and pregnancy/childbirth?
Your experience is important and would be invaluable for other women
with epilepsy. Thanks, see below.

Survey: Women Who Had Epilepsy While They Were Pregnant And Who Have
Already Completed One Or More Pregnancies That Resulted In Giving Birth

The survey takes less than 10 minutes.

Please visit www.WomenWithEpilepsy.org/takesurvey.html
to participate in a survey for Women With Epilepsy (WWE) who have
already completed one or more pregnancies to term.  The purpose of this
survey is to gather information about the experiences of WWE who had
seizures/epilepsy related events during pregnancy. The results of this
survey will be compiled in order to give WWE who are considering
pregnancy information that may help resolve some of their concerns and
fears by learning from the experiences of other WWE.

For more information, contact info@womenwithepilepsy.org.

Please consider participating in a survey about WWE and pregnancy/childbirth?
Your experience is important and would be invaluable for other women
with epilepsy. Thanks, see below.

Survey: Women Who Had Epilepsy While They Were Pregnant And Who Have
Already Completed One Or More Pregnancies That Resulted In Giving Birth

The survey takes less than 10 minutes.

Please visit www.WomenWithEpilepsy.org/takesurvey.html
to participate in a survey for Women With Epilepsy (WWE) who have
already completed one or more pregnancies to term.  The purpose of this
survey is to gather information about the experiences of WWE who had
seizures/epilepsy related events during pregnancy. The results of this
survey will be compiled in order to give WWE who are considering
pregnancy information that may help resolve some of their concerns and
fears by learning from the experiences of other WWE.

For more information, contact info@womenwithepilepsy.org.

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by pimmy1973 on Fri, 2010-02-26 - 14:12

Hello. I was diagnoised when I was 30. I had been married 6 months when I had my first seizure. After trying all kinds of different meds, I was stable on Keppra and Lamictal. We always knew we wanted kids, so my doctor told me the same thing, to let him know ahead of time. Well we tried for about two years, and finally in Feb 08 I became pregnant. I am sad to say I had a miscarriage. My Dr assured me it had nothing to do with my meds. I was 11 weeks when I had a D&C. I had one period, and surprise got pregnant again! I cut back on my Keppra and stayed on my Lamictal, however, I started to take Tegartol.

 My pregnancy was wonderful! The first time you feel a kick is the most exciting moment! Toward the end, my feet started to swell. I began to wear houseshoes to work! On a Tuesday night, felt bad, so I went to bed rather early. My husband went with me, thank goodness! Had probably the worst seizure ever. This was around 11pm. We live in a small town. He called 911, and the paramedics got me stable, with me still seizing, and took me to my local hospital. This hospital does not deliver babies! The ER doc put me on a vent, with IV meds to make me stop seizing and got my blood pressure under control, which was at stroke level.

 They transported me to the nearest hospital so they could deliver my baby. She was almost 6 weeks early, but good and healthy! I did not know for almost 2 days that she was born, as I was still vented. My blood pressure was 240/160 and they feel thats why all of this happened. I had just went to the dr on Monday for my checkup and my blood pressure was a little high, nothing major.

Thank goodness for all the quick response from all the people that saved both of our lives. Ava just celebrated her first birthday in January. We are thankful for her. She is the best baby anyone could ask for. Being older (35) and my first baby ,being a little "fluffy", and my epilepsy put me at high risk for complications.  After my 6 week check up, they suggested a IUD because of all of these factors. My husband is scheduled for the big "V"!!

I know this is long, but I hope it helps someone. Just make sure you see a high risk OB doc, and listen to your body. Good Luck and I hope your little is as great as Ava!

 

 

 

Hello. I was diagnoised when I was 30. I had been married 6 months when I had my first seizure. After trying all kinds of different meds, I was stable on Keppra and Lamictal. We always knew we wanted kids, so my doctor told me the same thing, to let him know ahead of time. Well we tried for about two years, and finally in Feb 08 I became pregnant. I am sad to say I had a miscarriage. My Dr assured me it had nothing to do with my meds. I was 11 weeks when I had a D&C. I had one period, and surprise got pregnant again! I cut back on my Keppra and stayed on my Lamictal, however, I started to take Tegartol.

 My pregnancy was wonderful! The first time you feel a kick is the most exciting moment! Toward the end, my feet started to swell. I began to wear houseshoes to work! On a Tuesday night, felt bad, so I went to bed rather early. My husband went with me, thank goodness! Had probably the worst seizure ever. This was around 11pm. We live in a small town. He called 911, and the paramedics got me stable, with me still seizing, and took me to my local hospital. This hospital does not deliver babies! The ER doc put me on a vent, with IV meds to make me stop seizing and got my blood pressure under control, which was at stroke level.

 They transported me to the nearest hospital so they could deliver my baby. She was almost 6 weeks early, but good and healthy! I did not know for almost 2 days that she was born, as I was still vented. My blood pressure was 240/160 and they feel thats why all of this happened. I had just went to the dr on Monday for my checkup and my blood pressure was a little high, nothing major.

Thank goodness for all the quick response from all the people that saved both of our lives. Ava just celebrated her first birthday in January. We are thankful for her. She is the best baby anyone could ask for. Being older (35) and my first baby ,being a little "fluffy", and my epilepsy put me at high risk for complications.  After my 6 week check up, they suggested a IUD because of all of these factors. My husband is scheduled for the big "V"!!

I know this is long, but I hope it helps someone. Just make sure you see a high risk OB doc, and listen to your body. Good Luck and I hope your little is as great as Ava!

 

 

 

Re: Want to get pregnant while on Lamictal

Submitted by Linnz1982 on Sat, 2011-02-19 - 12:20
Thank You SO MUCH for sharing your story. I had a seizure while driving in Nov. of 2010 and was alone and drove thru a telephone pole, was ok(thankfully), at the time they didn't know it was a seizure, prob didn't help that I felt ok and chose not to go to the hospital. I found out I was expecting my 1st child in the beginning of Jan/2011, I had a seizure about 2 weeks after finding out, was sleeping in bed, and it woke my Fiance up. When I came to, I had my room full of EMT's and was confused and didn't even really know who I was! It was scary, even worse knowing I was pregnant. When I arrived at the hospital I was put thru alot of tests and head scans. they did an ultrasound and told us everything seemed ok. i was sent to a neuroligist and put on Lamictal, knowing I was pregnant She put me on 4mg of folic acid daily, and started my meds at a low dose and they increased weekly. At about 10-10 1/2 weeks along, I had an internal ultrasound to find out that I had miscarried. We were VERY sad and upset, But want to try again, Asap. When I came across your story it made me feel that there is hope and that we can try again and have a healthy, happy child!! Thank You so much for sharing your story with a happy ending!!

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.