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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 fkromo on Mon, 2012-03-12 - 23:46
Hi,
I have had known epilepsy for almost 12 years now and I have been on a variety of medications. As of recent I have been on Lamictal 400mg and Topamax 150mg (until Jan when it was raised to 200mg). I don't know how your doctor has it set up for you but I take 200mg L & 100mg T in the morning and the same set up at night. I also have bloodwork done regularly every year to check my levels to ensure that my liver is not affected by these medications. My neurologist also tries to get an EEG every 2 years to check the status of brain activity. BLOODWORK is possible!
I don't know where you are located but it took me awhile to find the right doctor-I am on my third Neurologist...
I know that it is hard to deal with something like medications, where it could seem so little to others but when you are dealing with epilepsy it is a big deal. I wish you the best in finding a solution and hope that surgery is not an option.
Warm Regards, Fiona
Hi,
I have had known epilepsy for almost 12 years now and I have been on a variety of medications. As of recent I have been on Lamictal 400mg and Topamax 150mg (until Jan when it was raised to 200mg). I don't know how your doctor has it set up for you but I take 200mg L & 100mg T in the morning and the same set up at night. I also have bloodwork done regularly every year to check my levels to ensure that my liver is not affected by these medications. My neurologist also tries to get an EEG every 2 years to check the status of brain activity. BLOODWORK is possible!
I don't know where you are located but it took me awhile to find the right doctor-I am on my third Neurologist...
I know that it is hard to deal with something like medications, where it could seem so little to others but when you are dealing with epilepsy it is a big deal. I wish you the best in finding a solution and hope that surgery is not an option.
Warm Regards, Fiona
Re: combination of lamictal and topamax
Submitted by fkromo on Tue, 2012-03-13 - 00:00
I am very intrigued by your information and would like to know where you were able to locate it...I would like to read up on it.
I have been on & off Topamax for quite some time but as you will see in my response to the question that brought these replies to a discussion I have been on lamictal & topamax regimens for about 2-3 years.
I just suffered my most (or what I have been told my most severe) severe seizure in 12 yrs that I have been diagnosed with JMC epilepsy. My husband & I decided that if this medication regimen doesn't work we may look into the Vimpat that has just been approved to the market.
I have to agree with your list of side effects, when I was on the Topamax alone I did suffer from if not all but some of them and it scared him. Please feel free to communicate with me further.
Warm Regards, Fiona
I am very intrigued by your information and would like to know where you were able to locate it...I would like to read up on it.
I have been on & off Topamax for quite some time but as you will see in my response to the question that brought these replies to a discussion I have been on lamictal & topamax regimens for about 2-3 years.
I just suffered my most (or what I have been told my most severe) severe seizure in 12 yrs that I have been diagnosed with JMC epilepsy. My husband & I decided that if this medication regimen doesn't work we may look into the Vimpat that has just been approved to the market.
I have to agree with your list of side effects, when I was on the Topamax alone I did suffer from if not all but some of them and it scared him. Please feel free to communicate with me further.
Warm Regards, Fiona