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topamax and eeg
Thu, 12/15/2005 - 20:45Has anyone heard of Topamax causing a false reading on an EEG? My family doctor sent me to a neurologist because of headaches. The neurologist wanted to do an EEG, MRI, Sleep study, and blood work. The EEG showed up epilipitform acitivity. She told me that it looked liked the kind of epilepsy that would "never go away." I was born premature and had seizures as a baby. I have headaches frequently and some auras where I see spots. To my knowledge though I have never had your "typical seizure." I did have some episodes last summer of getting dizzy, shakey, pale, faint, nauseated, numb, headache. My family doctor could not find a reason for these after sending me to a cardiologist and doing all kinds of bloodwork. After doing some checking, I guess these could have been seizures. My doctor had started my on the Topamax for my migraines the visit before my EEG and it was being titrated up slowly; I think at the time of the EEG I was at 25 mg. My question is this do you think the Topamax could have caused the activity on the EEG? I know this has been kinda scattered and rambling. If anyone has any information or advice I would love to hear it. This is all new to me.
Re: topamax and eeg
Submitted by txrhb1 on Thu, 2005-12-15 - 21:41
Hi Scotland, I can't answer your specific question about Topamax, but I can certainly identify with your situation. When I was 19, I went to a neuro for migraines. I was extremely surprised when they diagnosed me with epilepsy after several abnormal EEG readings. I had never had what you refer to as a "typical" seizure. In my mind, epilepsy was a convulsive seizure, which I had never experienced. At the time, they prescribed me Dilantin. I took it for a few months, but hated the side effects, and eventually went off of it. Throughout the years, i continued to have migraines and other "events", which I always wrote off to stress. Lo and behold, almost 3 years ago, I had some events that led me to the ER, and finally, to a neurologist. Again, after EEG's and MRI's, the diagnosis was epilepsy, at age 47. Throughout the years, many of the events of dizziness, headaches, memory losses, etc., had actually been complex and simple partial seizures. I was absolutely floored, and really had to do a lot of research to understand the diagnosis. I am currently on Keppra and have also had the VNS implanted to try to help and control my seizures. Although I do not have complete seizure control, I have fewer seizures now than I did prior to treatment. My advice would be to ask lots of questions of your doctor, and learn as much as you can about your condition. Knowledge is power, and the more you understand, the better you can participate in your treatment. I wish you the best of luck! Best wishes, Barbie *************************************** Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead