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daughter on lamictal, can it have cognitive effects?
Sun, 04/29/2007 - 09:13Topic: Parents & Caregivers
Hi, i am new to epilepsy.com
I have a 12-1/2 year old daughter who seizured in february, 2006. So for a little over a year now we have been on Lamictal. We have not had another seizure since her initial one in feb 2006. Shortly after starting Lamictal, i noticed a huge difference in cara's school work, as did her teachers. Cara had a 98 average last year and was one of the top 10 in her class. Now, she has lack of concentration, grades have fallen considerably and is totally unorganized. She did move from elementary school to middle school in sept, so that too could have an effect. Cara is also a type 1 diabetic since age 4. She is insulin dependant and wears an insulin pump 24/7, and checks her blood glucose about 10-12 times a day depending on afterschool sports and stuff.
She is also a fraternal twin. Her twin sister, shannon, is fine, no seizures or diabetes, only freckles!!
has anyone else experienced any similiar effects after being on lamictal? if no more seizures accure, we will start to ween her off by february 2007, but she will be getting ready for high school at that time and grades are just not what they used to be.
thanks so much for listening! any help is greatly appreciated!
Comments
Re: Re: daughter on lamictal, can it have cognitive effects?
Submitted by tuckster on Mon, 2007-04-30 - 00:44
I agree talk to your doctor there are a huge amount of drugs around my son is currently on Lamictal plus another couple but at the moment we havent alot of choice he is nearly 12 and we have found his school work has also deteriorated with this medicine as well as maybe a few other issues it wouldnt hurt to have a chat to your neurologist about it
Re: daughter on lamictal, can it have cognitive effects?
Submitted by bex on Mon, 2007-04-30 - 06:40
Hi there! I was lactimal and topamax a few months ago and started to have serious memory and concentration problems to the point that I had to get signed of work. I would look at the computer and not have a clue what I was supposed to be doing? I found that being on 2 aeds really affected how I functioned, it was a real struggle and the neuro gradually took me off the lactimal. However, I'm still affected on the topamax but not as bad as the 2 aeds combined. I have been reading on this site that omega3 is good for overall brain function so I'm going to give that ago once I've spoken to my doctor. I too used to be good at maths and now struggle to add up, and lose track of what I'm doing, can end up walking aimlessly from one room to another! I hope this is of some help, good luck. Bex
Re: daughter on lamictal, can it have cognitive effects?
Submitted by littlebug on Sun, 2007-04-29 - 23:04
Seizure meds can affect memory, which affects school work.Have you talked to your doctor about switching meds?I know my daughter has improved drasticly in school since we started giving her her meds about 3hrs before school starts.We did that for a couple of months and then changed it to two hrs before school.Now I can give it to her right before school and we dont seem to have a problem anymore.she has been on meds for 4 years now,so I can see a difference bewteen last year in school and this year.