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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?
Re: combination of lamictal and topamax
Submitted by phunn on Fri, 2008-01-25 - 20:55
I hope you are doing well. I am on Lamictal now (300mg) and I think it is great. Also taking Keppra and the combinations is working wonderfully for me.
Regarding Topamax... I know it may work for some but I had a horrible experience with it! In March, 2004 I started Topomax (I don't remember the dose), and I ended up in the hospital in Dec for 2 weeks. I lost my short-term memory, (I don't remember 2004 and only a little of 2005), my health, almost lost my eyesight. It took years to recover physically and I am still working on the emotional healing. During this time I was also on Depakote. Be wary of that one too.
If Topamax is working for you then great. But keep very close tabs on it. Seriously. Ask your doctor to explain things to you. And if you have more questions ask again and don't be afraid to call. He/she is there to help you. If you have to be a pest, so be it.
My doc checks my med levels. And I can't say for certain but I am sure Topamax and Lamictal can be tested. They have to keep tabs on them somehow. Ask your doc again, and again, and again. You need to have your questions answered and you deserve it.
Take care...
~ CJ ~
I hope you are doing well. I am on Lamictal now (300mg) and I think it is great. Also taking Keppra and the combinations is working wonderfully for me.
Regarding Topamax... I know it may work for some but I had a horrible experience with it! In March, 2004 I started Topomax (I don't remember the dose), and I ended up in the hospital in Dec for 2 weeks. I lost my short-term memory, (I don't remember 2004 and only a little of 2005), my health, almost lost my eyesight. It took years to recover physically and I am still working on the emotional healing. During this time I was also on Depakote. Be wary of that one too.
If Topamax is working for you then great. But keep very close tabs on it. Seriously. Ask your doctor to explain things to you. And if you have more questions ask again and don't be afraid to call. He/she is there to help you. If you have to be a pest, so be it.
My doc checks my med levels. And I can't say for certain but I am sure Topamax and Lamictal can be tested. They have to keep tabs on them somehow. Ask your doc again, and again, and again. You need to have your questions answered and you deserve it.
Take care...
~ CJ ~