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Break Through Seizures on Lamictal??

Fri, 06/19/2009 - 19:18

Hi everyone. I have several questions and Im very confused right now, maybe someone can shed a light on this situation. Im 24, I had my first grand mal seizure 4 years ago. I was hospitalized because I hit my head and was knocked out for a day straight.. About half a year after, I had another seizure, in my sleep and was taken to the hospital as well. This time a resident neurologist prescribed Lamictal to me. He told me to build up, 25mg, then 50.. etc till I finally reached 100mg tablets, twice a day. Everything was perfect, 2 years I havent had a single seizure..

The Doctor and I have descided to try to lower the medication, or get rid of it completely, since my EEG and MRI's showed no problem, and no-one in my family has ever had seizures.. We began lowering the dose, and as soon as it got to 25mg, twice daily, I had another seizure.. Then we decided to go back to the dose I was taking, and I slowly began building up back to 100mg twice a day.. On my way up I had another seizure.. afterwards I stayed on 100mg twice a day, and everything was fine for about another 6-7 month.

Then I was moved to generic, lamotrigine, and I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but I had another grand mal seizure.. My doctor moved me to Brand name Lamictal again, and got the autorization from my insurance so I get Lamictal, not generic.. He also bumped up my dosage to 100mg morning, and 150mg at night. 

Everything was fine for another 5 months, then last week I had another seizure, right before I was about to go to bed.. I thought it was because I took my Lamictal a few hours later then I usually did. Then 3 days ago, I had another grand mal seizure, this time right after I woke up.. Now Im worried.. I have never had seizure so frequently. This time I was taken to a hospital.  They put the EEG on my as soon as I arrived, and did not give me any Lamictal at all. I was on the EEG for 3 days,I was sleep deprived since the hospital kept me awake most of the night + I didnt take any lamictal while I was there, and still didnt have a single seizure.. After 3 days of testing, they said everything is fine and discharged me.

Now I do not understand, does this mean the Lamictal is not working for me anymore, or was this a break through seizure??? (To be honest I was kinda stressed and tired, and lacked some sleep this past week) But since I was on lamictal I though that wouldnt matter.. My neurologist is not telling me anything usefull, just bumped up my dose of Lamictal another 50 mg. Now its 150mg morning, 150mg at night.. I was pushing for 200mg twice a day, but he said they only increase little by litte, since too much of it might also increase seizures. But somehow I find it hard to believe that the extra 50mg will keep me safe.

Also what seemed weird is that, my aura before a seizure, is the same as a side effect of Lamictal.. I get really dizzy moments before a seizure happens..

Did anyone experience anything like this?? Does this mean my body is adapting to Lamictal and reducing it effect.. Im not really comfortable having a seizure every 3-4 months, and then having my dosage bumped up another 50mg.. If everything was fine before, even on 100mg twice a day.. Can someone shine some light on this situation??? I would appreciate it..

Comments

i was on 200mg/day (one pill

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2014-04-08 - 06:13
i was on 200mg/day (one pill in morning/one at night) I was having small (myoclonic seizures) throughout my day. I accidentally double dosed my lamictal one night, took two pills instead of one and it put me into the worst grand mal i've ever had. I decided to come off the medication. I did so gradually, now I am completely off and having no myoclonic seizures. It's been 2 weeks since i've stopped taking the meds and I'm fine. A side effect of lamictal is seizures!!!! I took zonegran too before I started the lamictal and had to stop because I added lexapro and became suicidal. I was taking topamax before that and the side effects were unbearable. I've decided to live with the seizures (if it happens again) rather than living with the side effects of these pharmaceutical drugs. I feel much healthier not taking them. My epilepsy treatment is now : get enough sleep and avoid high stress. I'm going on a transatlantic flight soon, it's gonna take 21 hours total. I'm really nervous about it!! It's the ultimate test of whether or not i'll be okay without meds.

ɩ ɧaѵҽ ɧaɖ ҽpɩɭҽpىʏ ىɩŋcҽ ɩ

Submitted by Cathyrh on Sun, 2017-10-01 - 11:08
ɩ ɧaѵҽ ɧaɖ ҽpɩɭҽpىʏ ىɩŋcҽ ɩ was 10 yes old and been on quite a few meds a few Dr.s as well however onrnof the meds I take now is lamotrigjne I am on 300. Of that. 2  x daily I take topanax also. However what I have learned is NM o mm matter what there are always triggers. 1. Is stress 2. Tiredness. 3. Strobe lights.  You need to have a regular sleep pattern. I may go to bed lat get up early bit thstnis how it is every day.  I sleep very well. 

Hi Mike,My name is Jamie and

Submitted by J2kids on Sat, 2018-01-20 - 22:16
Hi Mike,My name is Jamie and I'm an epileptic also. I read your story and whom ever you worked for at the time of your seizure can be sued as far as I know. It's a medical condition and it's something we cannot control. My employer knows very well as I've had a grand mal seizure at work. I never got fired. I'm just giving you this information as per attorney's advice. 

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