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considering treatment options

Mon, 05/23/2005 - 18:26

I'm 22 and just graduated from a small college in Northeast Missouri.  In January or February I experienced what may be diagnosed as a tonic-clonic seizure.  Since it has only happened in my sleep and was not observed in the light, it's unsure how serious it was.  My girlfriend explains the episode with convulsing legs and arms shaking etc, and lots of noise from my mouth as if I was trying to vomet.  However nothing happened, but she tried opening my mouth but my jaw was clenched shut.  A few weeks later I had an EEG with abnormal results showing a left temporal focal point.  Obviously this increases the risks for future seizure episodes.  An MRI was completed following the EEG and came back normal.  Last week after speaking to a neurologist in Columbia MO, He suggested I begin taking carbamazepine. 

I wondered if anyone was currently on this specific drug, or had any advice with regard to possible side effects.  I'm young and my girlfriend and I want to get married in a few years when she has completed graduate school and begin our family.  There are a few side effects that worry me about this drug specifically, that is the potential for liver disease/cancer as well as the testicular atrophy and the potential of that to affect fertility.  Also, I'm not sure if I had children in the future, is it possible for the children to suffer birth defects from the medication that I am taking?

If any of you could address any of these concerns that would be great.  Thank you for your help.

Comments

RE: considering treatment options

Submitted by angel_lts on Tue, 2005-05-24 - 07:11
Yes I was on tegretal for 23 years. I was dizzy after dinner all the time. My stomach was always upset. I took many tums in my day. I had four children on that meds. But I was taking another med also. I have two children with a very small learning disability.Take folic acid for I did not take it when I was pregnant. But yes you can have children.Lisahttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/

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