I have a close friend on Anti-Convulsive medication for Epilepsy?

Question

she has been on the medication for approx. 40 years. She is
going through the menopause and was referred to hospital.
Doctors have warned her that the medication she is taking
(Phenobarbitone and Phenytoine) will do her harm in later life.
They have suggested changing her medication. But she does
not know what to do. These days we here of Death in Epilepsy
and we are wondering if these new tablets would be the cause.
She has to go back to hospital middle of March and has to make
a decision by then. Help! The doctors have suggested that she
gets as much advise as she can from internet, friends, family etc.
But its a tall order. She has not been feeling well, but has put that
down the the early stages of menopause. And feels sometimes
that she is going to have an epileptic fit. She hasn,thad one for six
years. Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Before I go further, can I just say the Carbamazepine (generic name) and Tegretol (brand name) are one and the same.

Not having an epileptic fit for 6 years is really a good sign for your friend.

Some doctors would say that since she's not had any fits that long; it would really seem like she's responding really well to Phenytoin (Dilantin) and Phenobarbital and would just leave it at that.

But most of the young ones would definitely suggest for this to be changed into something newer and believed to be producing the least amount and the least dangerous of side - effects.

If ever your friend decided to go with the change of her medication, she shouldn't really worry too much as long as she strictly follow the instructions and always keeping an eye on her own symptoms.

Switching medications shouldn't be a problem and shouldn't lead to her having a major seizure because this will be done in stages. Her old medications definitely shouldn't be stopped overnight, and should be done in a titrating dose (slowly reducing the amount) over a period of time whilst starting to introduce the new anti - convulsant medication of choice.

Sometimes, to ensure efficacy, it may also be necessary for your friend to have regular blood tests to ensure that the new medication agrees with her and is absorbed well in her body, and most especially to manage and adjust the right dose for her individual physical needs.

I think a lot of the new anti - convulsants were already mentioned here, and is widely used now.

Sodium Valproate (Epilim), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Gabapentin (Neurontin), Valproate or Valproic Acid (Depakote), Lamotrigine (Lamictal), Topiramate (Topimax) are just examples of them that's regularly used in the market.

I'm sure one, or a combination of them would be suitable for your friend. The GP or the specialist she's seeing mid March should be able to help her with the choice depending on her individual needs and history.

And yes before I end, can I just say ----- I think your friend is really fortunate to have you.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Hey there! I have a seizure disorder myself. The first (real) one was when I was around 7 or 8. Only, this one was bad; in correspondence to where I was at the time: a church. Anyhoo, I had thought it had gone away, until I turned 15. I was in Las Vegas at my uncle's place, and went into another one early that same morning. Now, since then I have been on a medication called Dilantin. This medication helps suppress the seizures, it does not cure them, which sucks. However, before getting on this new medication, I had tried different kinds of treatment from different doctors. I had tried a homeopathic doctor, and that had only made the seizures worse. By then, I was averaging about 3 or 4 seizures a week. Still to this day, my doctors have no clue whatsoever as to what is causing these seizures. Go figure..... Now I am 21, and still suffer from them. I recommend looking into this Dilantin medication though. I have been on it since I was about 16, and it has helped suppress them. In your friend's case, if taking another type a med is what it takes, then go for it. Better to die old, than young. I hope I have shined some kind of light on this situation. Let me know!

Answer 3

If she asks to speak to a specialist epilepsy nurse she can get an awful lot of information. Also if people witnessing her seizures can explain exactly what her seizures look like it can help the specialists work out the correct drugs for her, as long as any change in medication is done gradually she may not suffer any ill effects. There's new medication about too and it's improving all the time. Peoples seizures can and often change as they get older, both men and women, and changes in medication is often required. Wish her luck. The answer above is right, Tegretol is very good, also ask about Keppra, sodium valporate (Epilim) and carbamazapine

Answer 4

Minxy, used to go out with a girl who had epilepsy, the worst sort which she called 'breakdancing'. The doctors had her on phenytoin for 22 years until she moved from London to Manchester - and the first doc she saw told her phenytoin was not the way to go, and she put Barbara on a drug called tegretol, and after a month I could see the change. Pheytoin was making her feel dozy. Dont listen to people who die having fits. that's nothing to do with drugs, but them swallowing their tongues. She still has the so called 'auras' though. That's frightening, but there are better drugs nowadays. Taz's email might help.

Answer 5

I take meds for epilepsy. The ones your friend takes are very old. These days they have so much better to choose from. Tegrotel and Frisum are a few.I take both. I am glad to say I'm very controled and have not had a seizure since starting meds. Do be aware when changing the meds she could end up with an upset stomach until her body adjust to the new meds and until they have the dosage adjusted right. Myself, I would listen to my Doctor as I have a lot of trust in mine. I've been on my meds for fifteen years and still alive. I know people that have been on longer (still alive) Please do not be afraid to do as the Doctor suggest as it's for your own good.

Answer 6

Phenobarbitone are terrible drugs and i thought they were actually banned? The fact that your friend has not had a seizure for 6 years is a good sign. They probably wont come back! You can apply for a driving licence after 2 years of not having a seizure! It could be panic attacks that she's getting now.There's no harm in changing her medication.

Answer 7

so sad. coming off these drugs is gonna be hard. some symptoms are drowsiness, clumsiness, dizziness, excitement, and confusion. any barbiturate's must be monitored very closely when reducing as it can be dangerous. i,m sure her specialist would not give her medication that could endanger her life? more probably give her a better life. get your friends specialist 2 give u as much info as poss, and even a pro,s and cons printout. you are obviously a very good friend, so both of you stick at it , and i,m sure all will end up just fine , all the best.

Answer 8

You don't say what meds the doctors have recommended, but the following are used now. and are very effective.
TEGRETOL (Carbamazepine)
EPILIM (Sodium Valproate)

I used to work with people with Learning Disabilities and also Epilepsy and the vast majority were on either/or, or even both as necessary.

Answer 9

god bless ur friend i had a touch of epilepsy when i was younger i had the petie mal, i know they dont call it that anymore but dont know new name, it held me up a bit in school etc etc, it plays up on me sometimes now when im over done it or stressed!!!!!! reminds me of the film at first do no harm!!! that really gets me going on the tears any way hope everything works out for her!!!! xxxxxxoooooooo

Answer 10

you don`t know what to ? (medication )
the most commonly prescribed anti-convulsant nowadays is Sodium Volporate. and there are quite good feedbacks and reports on them.