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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 stonehause on Fri, 2008-11-21 - 12:40
This may or may not be helpful to you guys as I seem to be a rather unique case,but I would appreciate your input. I My epilepsy is directly related to an extreme case of hydrocephalus that I have had since birth.It did not appear until I was 34 in my 16th year of service in the Coast Guard.Since it was assumed it was the result of a car accident suffered about 10 years earlier{PHS is not known for exhaustive medical research or testing},I was placed on Dilantin and placed back on my ship, 10 months later I had my second seizure,this one much more exciting.Interstate 95 moving at 60 mph,I was driving of course,backed up traffic for 4 hours. Long story short this time a CTscan,EEG,and full workup were done and my first shunt was implanted.Since then 10 years ,2 additional shunt surgeries,! emergency because of brain swelling and 7 medications later I am reasonably stable.I initially took Topamax in tandem with Tegretol
specifically for migraines after that I transitioned from Depacote due severe abdominal and intestinal complications.Then to Lamictal as it was supposed to deal with both problems,but it quickly became evident it was not making it.I proposed to my neurologist the idea of Duotherapy combing Lamictal and Topamax; at a dosage of 400mg- 200 am-200 pm Lamictal,100mg AM Topamax,50mg PM .I knew it had worked with Tegretol,I was taken off Tegretol because I was still experiencing seizure,albeit myoclonic.I would love to hear more on specific problems with these medications as I am developing prostate and urinary tract problems,but thus far none of my physicians are connecting the two.
This may or may not be helpful to you guys as I seem to be a rather unique case,but I would appreciate your input. I My epilepsy is directly related to an extreme case of hydrocephalus that I have had since birth.It did not appear until I was 34 in my 16th year of service in the Coast Guard.Since it was assumed it was the result of a car accident suffered about 10 years earlier{PHS is not known for exhaustive medical research or testing},I was placed on Dilantin and placed back on my ship, 10 months later I had my second seizure,this one much more exciting.Interstate 95 moving at 60 mph,I was driving of course,backed up traffic for 4 hours. Long story short this time a CTscan,EEG,and full workup were done and my first shunt was implanted.Since then 10 years ,2 additional shunt surgeries,! emergency because of brain swelling and 7 medications later I am reasonably stable.I initially took Topamax in tandem with Tegretol
specifically for migraines after that I transitioned from Depacote due severe abdominal and intestinal complications.Then to Lamictal as it was supposed to deal with both problems,but it quickly became evident it was not making it.I proposed to my neurologist the idea of Duotherapy combing Lamictal and Topamax; at a dosage of 400mg- 200 am-200 pm Lamictal,100mg AM Topamax,50mg PM .I knew it had worked with Tegretol,I was taken off Tegretol because I was still experiencing seizure,albeit myoclonic.I would love to hear more on specific problems with these medications as I am developing prostate and urinary tract problems,but thus far none of my physicians are connecting the two.
Re: combination of lamictal and topamax
Submitted by banffgirl on Wed, 2008-04-23 - 01:12
CJ, NO PROBLEM, NO OFFENSE WAS TAKEN. I WAS JUST STATING A FACT ON MEDS. WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND OR AGREE WITH IS WHY THE FDA ALLOW DRUG COMPANIES TO ADVERTISE ON TV AND IN MAGAZINES WHEN DOCTORS PRESCRIBE MEDS. THAN AT THE END OF THE AD, IT LISTS ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT MAKES YOU THINK, WHY WOULD I WANT TO TAKE THAT? GO FIGURE.
IN CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL
LIFE IS FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE.
CJ, NO PROBLEM, NO OFFENSE WAS TAKEN. I WAS JUST STATING A FACT ON MEDS. WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND OR AGREE WITH IS WHY THE FDA ALLOW DRUG COMPANIES TO ADVERTISE ON TV AND IN MAGAZINES WHEN DOCTORS PRESCRIBE MEDS. THAN AT THE END OF THE AD, IT LISTS ALL THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT MAKES YOU THINK, WHY WOULD I WANT TO TAKE THAT? GO FIGURE.
IN CAPS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
GOD BLESS,
BANFFGIRL
LIFE IS FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE.