Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
REM Sleep Disorder related to Lamictal?
Wed, 05/17/2017 - 01:06Hi,
I have partial complex seizures controlled by 600 mg of Lamictal XR. I began having tonic clonic seizures in high school (I'm 48) and took phenobarbitol for years. I haven't had a tonic since about 2008 or so. When stressed, I occasionally have extremely short aural seizures, sometimes closer to partial complex with lip smacking and touching my leg.
Starting several months ago, I thought I was having breakthrough night seizures when I started moving my arms, and sometimes my legs, during sleep. I also speak gibberish. My daughter says this has happened about ten times in about the past year, and I've also sleepwalked a few times. She could hear my bed squeaking from her bedroom the other night and caught me on her phone moving my arms. This has happened a few times. This time, I woke with a 2x3 inch bruise on my left arm; I'm left handed. I think I may have REM sleep disorder; I also had a full night of insomnia last night. Anyone familiar with REM sleep disorder? I'm going to take some melatonin tonight, as I think I'll have trouble sleeping again. I slept maybe 2 hours last night.
Quick overview.
Is anyone with Partial Complex seizures also have REM Sleep Disorder?
I take 600 mg lamictal XR every night at 10, and have for at least ten years.
I'm wondering if there is a connection, because for several months I have been remembering more of my dreams. Lamictal used to keep them completely from my awareness. To be honest, I'm so exhausted I'm not even sure there's a question in there.
I'm going to make an appointment with my neuro tomorrow. I'm just putting this out there, wondering if anyone else has REM sleep disorder along with epilepsy / Lamictal. What measures have you taken?
Thanks
Comments
Make the appointment with
Submitted by just_joe on Wed, 2017-05-17 - 20:55
Make the appointment with your neuro. Also understand that as a person changes their medications need adjusting. So when you go to your appointment ask them is your dosages need to be adjusted. I have had adjustments made after a few years and those adjustments stopped some of th seizures I might have had
I haven't heard back from my
Submitted by Hmmm on Mon, 2017-05-22 - 21:30
I haven't heard back from my neuro yet. I saw a regular MD and showed him the three videos I now have. He said they definitely look like seizures, so I guess I can move beyond REM Sleep Disorder at least for now. My leg movement in one was so rhythmic that I looked more into different types of nocturnal seizures. Anyway, I learned about ADNFLE (Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy) while studying online. It describes my bicycle like leg movement and the gibberish and sleepwalking I sometimes have well, the bruise is what's making me wonder though - this doc thought I was in an abusive relationship! I am under a tremendous amount of stress, which may be playing into it. I'm not so worried about Lamictal affecting my sleep and daytime dosage has never worked because I am much more prone to serious vertigo. It's more that I seem to be having some type of new seizure breaking through The other new thing is that I'm a lot less confused afterward the ones that I've been having lately. I'll call my neuro to leave another message, maybe look into one in the town I live now, especially if I'm going to be changing or adding meds. And thanks to you all for your consideration and feedback!
lamotrigine is associated
Submitted by Amy Jo on Wed, 2017-05-17 - 02:08
lamotrigine is associated with poor sleep for some people who take it. poor sleep is also associated with epilepsy. apnea occurs at a higher incidence level in population of those with epilepsy and that can also contribute to poor seizure control. our youngest's sleep problems predate starting lamotrigine but they definitely saw the disrupted sleep cycles on the last multi day eeg. melatonin mainly helps one fall asleep, not maintain sleep. although you could try extended release formulations but other herbs also are known to help and magnesium may help also. consider getting in with a sleep medicine clinic - ours mainly has pulmonologists but a few neurologists work in that area. snoring is not always present with apnea by the way. if your sleep problems stem from the epilepsy (vs meds), adjusting your dose could do the trick.