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.
Klonopin to help prevent seizures?
Thu, 05/18/2006 - 08:42Topic: Medication Issues
I get seizures due to hormonal fluctuations once a month. They happen before, during or after my period. I'm taking 350mg of Lamictal twice a day and still they occur. The doctor just advised a quarter to a hal mg. of klonopin nightly in the evening of my 'danger days' Klonopin puts me to sleep, I don't know why anyone would want to use this drug for recreation! Anyway, does anyone have any experience with konopin and seizure meds?
Hope so!
Nancy B. (Meskerkid)
Comments
Re: Re: Klonopin to help prevent seizures?
Submitted by Meskerkid on Fri, 2006-05-26 - 08:25
Hi Faye, it's good to hear that klonopin helped the seizures. I haven't had a complex partial this month but my period is not over! Like me, you're on a tiny dose. If I take .5 mg. I am too tired to do anything else. Up until the latest, "take it around menses," I have never been addicted. In 1988 I fainted while riding a bike. I cracked my skull, and went in to a coma for a month! Originally I wss on 5 mg. 3x a day, about 6 mos.
Lately it's been three .5 mgs per month! But now, it's going to be 1/4-1/2 mg. at night during menses. Hope it works with Lamictal. I'm taking 350 mg. twice a day. Good luck getting pregant, discuss the meds with both your neurologist and gynecologist. They should be working TOGETHER.
Take care, thanks for responding, I needed that!
Nancy B.
Re: Klonopin to help prevent seizures?
Submitted by Joan K on Fri, 2006-05-26 - 06:08
Hi Nancy-
Klonopin is now my main medication for Myoclonus or the jerking and spasms I continually have without it. It is strong, potent and addictive so you use very little at first but then you get a tolerance for it and it has to be increased gradually. It is a sedative so you do sleep like a baby, I also take Keppra with it.
Joan
Re: Klonopin to help prevent seizures?
Submitted by FayeZee on Thu, 2006-05-18 - 09:07
Hi Nancy, I was put on a regular dose of 0.25mg of Klonopin twice a day two years ago when I was switched to lamictal and gradual increases to 400mg weren't controlling my seizures. With the Klonopin I had no more seizures (and slept like a baby). Because we are planning to get pregnant I didn't want to have to be on more than one one drug so since then have tried a couple more, but they've controlled my seizures but the psychological side effects have been horrible. I'm still on the Klonopin, not for the seizures now though, for the anxiety/ aggitation the Keppra and now the Zonegran are causing me (i'm on 1mg now). So like you i'll probably be going back to the Lamictal & Klonopin combination which seemed to work the best. Now that you mention it I think my seizures are usually around my 'danger days', so maybe I won't even need the Klonopin in pregnancy (DING! Light-bulb goes on in head-thanks, didn't think of that one!) Hope this helps! Faye Diagnosed Juvenille Myoclonic?/ Idiopathic? Epilepsy @ 15 (now 28) Seizures fully controlled on Depakote, but planning a family. In last 2 years tried: Lamictal, then Keppra, now Zonegran.