Medication Issues & Side Affects

Our child had that issue with lamotrigine, took ages to eliminate what caused the problem but it seems obvious looking back. We had added lamotrigine to oxcarbazepine to try to stop partials. We switched to taking a smaller dose three times a day instead of larger doses twice a day (and we didn’t increase it to see if the partials could be stopped). And it caused us to try to switch to keppra to be able to drop lamotrigine but (kiddo started to talk about wanting to die so) that was worse, then found out that lamotrigine was really the best choice since it was controlling some generalized seizures so... just stuck with splitting the daily dose into three.  The downside of more doses is higher chance of forgetting a dose. If our child could have taken pills, would have asked to switch to using extended release (could still take those twice a day). Please get your drug levels checked to see if anything is dangerously out of whack.

Hi ariff87, Thanks so much for posting. It’s important that you continue to follow-up with our healthcare team to discuss any changes in side effects, seizure types, frequency, behaviors,and symptoms, to determine what treatment is best for you. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf For more information regarding Lamotrigine, Zonisamide &side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/lamotriginehttps://www.epilepsy.com/medications/zonisamidehttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effectsIt may be helpful having a device: https://www.dannydid.org/ ,  that can help track seizures:  https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy/tracking-my-seizures/importance-tracking-seizures And by keeping a seizure diary:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary These tools may help in identifying & tracking seizures, other symptoms, managing medication& other therapies, recognizing triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which you can share with your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf     Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other, by contacting your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, can assist in connecting you to resources,provide referrals and additional support. epilepsy.com/helpline

Some medications can cause side-effects if they are not taken in the correct precision.  Some drugs tend to interact with others. To reduce the risk of serious problems, one may need to apply extra care in monitoring effect. One of my friends was facing this issue because she has taken an overdose and later on when the situation becomes critical she consulted The Health Exchange Agency who offered a medication plan Aetna Medigap (https://www.thehealthexchangeagency.com/) this plan offers medication facilities at very limited requirements to those who are suffering from this problem.