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Epilepsy/Meds are Ruining my LIFE!!!!

Mon, 03/16/2009 - 21:21
Topic: Living With Epilepsy - Adults
Hi, I am 20 years old and I have had epilepsy for the last 4 1/2 years. I just got an MRI and my brain scans are off the chart. Apparently I am having mini-seizures in my brain. The most recent drug that I was on was Topomax. This drug literally made me stupid!. I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't speak correctly, etc....it was terrible....Now I am switching to Keppra, because Topomax wasn't controlling my seizures fully. BUT! Keppra is making me tired. I have no energy. I am a 20 year old college student. I need all the energy I have. At this rate I am going to fail out of school because of what these drugs are doing to me. I made it through freshman year because my classes where easy, but sophmore year is just too hard, with all this medical BULLSHIT! My doctor says that my concentration issues could be a result of my mini seizures in my brain. I'm considering taking a leave from college so I can get my health together, but they say that finding the right meds for you is a trial and error process that could take "awhile". I'm dying here. It sucks when you look in the mirror and you see your potential, but are not able to live it because of these god damn meds. Can anyone relate to this??????? It's driving me crazy. (btw I have had 4 seizures in my life. 2 in highschool and 2 in college) Also, the worst part about this is my parents just think I'm being lazy and I am not "trying hard enough".....Most of the time Ill be thinking one thing, but not be able to fluently vocally express it, because I'm so doped out on these psycoactive drugs. Can anyone relate here. I'm really downward spiraling.

Comments

Re: Epilepsy/Meds are Ruining my LIFE!!!!

Submitted by annegeorge on Tue, 2010-04-27 - 12:25

Hey, I'm on Keppra and Lamictal. I have also been having the tired/fatigue issues. I'm in college as well, about to graduate. I'm thinking it is from the stress of finals and school work, but I know the medication's side effects include fatigue. Unfortunately the trail and error of finding the right medication is how it happens. It sucks being this young and not be able to go out and do the things everyone else is doing. My advice is to just get a study partner. It has kept me accountable for my grades. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I'm experiencing the same thing. If you really want to take some time off from school I'd recommend one semester. I'm graduating a semester late because I had to take a really light course load one semester. I don't know if this will be helpful to you, but just know you aren't the only one in this kind of situation.

 Hope things get better for you soon 

Hey, I'm on Keppra and Lamictal. I have also been having the tired/fatigue issues. I'm in college as well, about to graduate. I'm thinking it is from the stress of finals and school work, but I know the medication's side effects include fatigue. Unfortunately the trail and error of finding the right medication is how it happens. It sucks being this young and not be able to go out and do the things everyone else is doing. My advice is to just get a study partner. It has kept me accountable for my grades. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I'm experiencing the same thing. If you really want to take some time off from school I'd recommend one semester. I'm graduating a semester late because I had to take a really light course load one semester. I don't know if this will be helpful to you, but just know you aren't the only one in this kind of situation.

 Hope things get better for you soon 

Re: Epilepsy/Meds are Ruining my LIFE!!!!

Submitted by Sammishakes on Tue, 2010-04-27 - 13:34

I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago as well- almost 8. I am on 1500mg keppra a day and 750 mg depakote.

I was on Keppra for 5 weeks, then I had 24 seizures in 36 hours. 1st he added tegretol. I took one 200mg tablet and that was it- it made me so sick and exhausted/drunk feeling.

Now I am on Depakote. I am still tired, and am still having my nocturnal seizures. I can't tell if the med is not working or if its because my period is coming though. I am so tired of being worn out.

I just raised my child and this was going to be the start of the second half of my life. I did not expect to be more tired than when I had a newborn :)

I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago as well- almost 8. I am on 1500mg keppra a day and 750 mg depakote.

I was on Keppra for 5 weeks, then I had 24 seizures in 36 hours. 1st he added tegretol. I took one 200mg tablet and that was it- it made me so sick and exhausted/drunk feeling.

Now I am on Depakote. I am still tired, and am still having my nocturnal seizures. I can't tell if the med is not working or if its because my period is coming though. I am so tired of being worn out.

I just raised my child and this was going to be the start of the second half of my life. I did not expect to be more tired than when I had a newborn :)

Re: Epilepsy/Meds are Ruining my LIFE!!!!

Submitted by chibi kowai on Wed, 2010-04-28 - 02:07
I went through 5 different meds when i was first diagnosed 12 years ago, all on my own decision because i didnt like the way they effected me. All I can say is be honest with your nuerologist, because all they are really trying to do is return you to a regular life as possibe, and hang in there. Dont be afraid to ask questions and work with your doctor to make you happy :).

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