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Looking for a new medication. What has worked for you?

Tue, 02/13/2018 - 19:04
Hi, my 20 year old daughter has been on 3,000 mg of levetiracetam for the past 3 months (up'd from 2,500 due to breakthrough seizures). Our doctor recommended Lamotrigine, although I've read about so many side effects people have, that I'm nervous for her to try this. We looked into Brivaracetam, but there isn't a generic and our insurance company won't cover it. just wondering what has worked for you, plus the side effects you've experienced.

Comments

I've tried 15 different

Submitted by birdman on Tue, 2018-02-13 - 20:28
I've tried 15 different medications for seizures.  Several have "worked" to control seizures but side effects have been too serious.  Such pills have left me more content to live the occasional spells. Dilantin has worked the best with the least side effect to me.  Without Dilantin I have gone into status (non-stop) seizures.  I am now trying Briviact (brivaracetam).  Fortunately my insurance does cover this (Medicaid).  It is working to control the few seizures I have been having but the side effects (tired, constipation) are uncomfortable.  I was expecting more serious problems with anger, aggression, depression but haven't had these yet after four weeks of treatment.  Ask your doctor for samples if your daughter is interested.  Everyone is different.  Keep track of medications tried and the effects they have.  This is the only way for a patient to know what works best.

Thanks Michael for your

Submitted by KarynR on Tue, 2018-02-13 - 21:47
Thanks Michael for your response.  You are lucky Brivaracetam was covered for you!  I've read up on so many medications, that it gets a little overwhelming.  I'll check into Dilantin, and see what her neurologist thinks.  I appreciate your input.

KarynDilantin is a medication

Submitted by just_joe on Wed, 2018-02-14 - 14:03
KarynDilantin is a medication that has been used for over 50 years.. You might want to listen to the neurologist since they have patients on the medications they want people on. They have patients generally with the same types of seizures and types of epilepsy and know that medication has been working on them. Relax some and do what they suggest since they are the doctors and do know more about the medications then you do.

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