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CARBATROL & TOPAMAX
Wed, 06/23/2004 - 16:05Topic: Family & Friends
my son stopped his meds and sure enough had another. he said they make him spacy anf friends and teachers agree. he is forgetful and cannot concentrate. anyone else have this problem?
Comments
RE: CARBATROL & TOPAMAX
Submitted by TroubleCat on Thu, 2004-02-12 - 11:48
Before I tried Topomax, my psychatrist told me that it often makes people feel "stupid""slow" or "spaced out". (BTW, she specializes in treating children.) So since it has that effect on many patients who don't have epilepsy or seizures, it could very well be the drug making your son feel "out of it". Topomax made me so extemely sedated, I slept half the day away and spent the rest of the day laying on the couch in a stupor. I believe all anti-seizure drugs can cause sedation which could adversely affect concentraton, but from what my Dr says, Topomax seems to have a unique effect in this area. In general, sedation can go away after 6-8 weeks on a drug, but not always.
RE: CARBATROL & TOPAMAX
Submitted by mexican_fire on Wed, 2004-06-23 - 16:05
I was on Tegretol XR along with Topamax, and Neurontin.Carbatrol is a form of extened release Tegretol.It made me goofy as well. Certain drugs will do that anyway, and then when you combine two that cause that, you get a double whammy.It was a normal drug-drug reaction.But, if it is causing that much trouble, then it needs to be taken to a neuro and get it looked into, to change it.There isn't a reason for him to feel uncomfortable.Nancy
RE: CARBATROL & TOPAMAX
Submitted by EpilepsyDotComEditor on Thu, 2004-02-12 - 08:50
Many people with epilepsy do complain of problems with memory and concentration. The problems could be related to the medication, but seizures themselves also may affect memory and other brain functions. Be sure to emphasize these problems when you talk to the doctor. A change to a different medication may help, or even something as simple as taking the pills at a different time to improve daytime alertness. If the doctor seems unconcerned, you may want to get a second opinion. In the meantime, explore epilepsy.com and read our information on education, children, and medications -- for instance, "How medicines affect your child" at http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1064603879.htmlWe also have information on other types of treatment, including vagus nerve stimulation and epilepsy surgery, which are effective for some people with epilepsy.