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I'm newly diagnosed and have a couple questions
Sun, 02/11/2007 - 22:00Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
Hi Everyone, I am 41 and just recently been diagnosed with complex partial seizures. Needless to say I'm a little overwhelmed with it all. This site was recommended by my Neurologist and I have found it very helpful so far. I do have a couple of questions for anyone who could help.
1. My doctor perscribed Lamictol starting out low but increasing to 150-200mg. Everything I read says this drug is given in addition to another anti-seizure med. Is anyone else taking Lamictol all by itself?
2. What are some of the side effects that occur with Lamictol?
3. In California , they take away your license for a minimum of 3 months, do you have to have a negative EEG or be without noticeable seizures to get your license back, since I have some I don't even realize are happening.
This is all so new, I think I have been having seizures for about 6 months , but my doctor thinks I have probably had them a lot longer.
Thanks
Jamie
Comments
Re: I'm newly diagnosed and have a couple questions
Submitted by scorpio on Wed, 2007-02-14 - 06:37
Lamictal was first licensed nearly twenty years ago in the UK and, like most new drugs, was prescribed ‘alongside’ existing drugs. As its potential efficacy and side-effects became more recognised, it became increasingly prescribed singly (I have taken it alone – 200mg/d at present - for nearly ten years).
Side-effects are many but, compared to other drugs, seem to be less common or disabling. An important factor in determining their presence or severity, however, is the rate at which Lamictal is introduced – increasing the dosage too quickly appears to raise the chances of side-effects developing.
Dizziness/headache, eyesight/vision problems and skin rashes seem to be some of the most common side-effects. Those I have are tolerable: I do not sleep as well as I used to and I now wear glasses (but changing any drug regime can affect eyesight, on its own, I believe) but the periodic giddiness I had on a dose of 400mg/d is no more. However, over-exposure to the sun sometimes causes itching. Every case is different though.
Driving licenses in California I cannot comment on.
Chris
Re: I'm newly diagnosed and have a couple questions
Submitted by crashbeth on Wed, 2007-02-14 - 10:32
I am currently on lamictal and really like it. I'm taking it for both seizures and being bipolar. You have to slowly increase with this med so don't overdo it and think you are smarter than your doctor. I did and regretted it.
The side effects of lamictal for me include some itchiness and a mild rash but livable with. Insomnia is a big one until I got used to the med. I would usually wake up at 3am and go to bed around 4am. When I first started I got night sweats but they stopped.
I'm currently on 250 mg and doing pretty good. The side effects I have are so much better than some of the other meds I have been on. Just watch out for that rash with a fever.
I used to be indecisive; but now I'm not so sure. I think.
Re: I'm newly diagnosed and have a couple questions
Submitted by Feeling Silly on Wed, 2007-02-14 - 00:43
Hi Jamie, I am recently diagnosised also. But I live here in Texas and here my doctor told me that you have to be seizure free for 6 months before I can drive again. This is going to be a whole new life for me, with no driving. I can't just get up and do something. I have gone on disability from work and can't seem to focus or stay on track.