hello i got told i had epilepsy 10 years ago and have taken tablets ever since , today i had an appointment and got told ive never had it?

[melanieeke]

can this harm me? as the past 6/7 weeks ive been feeling ill and bluring out

[pezenas]

Melanieeke

This is entirely a medical question and it depends on who has been giving you advice. I assume this information has been given to you by a doctor and you should be able to get a second opinion. Ask the doctor the same question you have posted here.

Best wishes and good luck

Peter

[Pterodactyl]

Hi Melankieeke, you need to go and talk to your doctor. The drugs you have been taking have an effect on your body/brain, so you can't just suddenly stop taking them. You are effectively suffering from a form of withdrawal symptoms and need to have a plan on how you are going to come off them.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon

[EpilepsyInst Partner Epilepsy Research UK]

Hello Melanieeke, out of interest is it the same neurologist who diagnosed you that has now told you that you don't have epilepsy? In any event you are entitled to a second opinion (as Pezenas says) but if you don't in fact have epilepsy then this is a case of misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis rates are far too high for epilepsy and charities are lobbying to address this problem - unfortunately we still have some way to go.

In term of taking anti-epileptic drugs over a long period, some can reportedly have an effect on the person's cognitive function (mental processing). Others though are deemed safe in this respect, and others still have been found to enhance cognitive processes. It varies a lot, but it is generally the newer anti-epileptic drugs that seem to have fewer effects.

If you've been taking the same anti-epileptic drugs for ten years, it's unlikely that you would suddenly get the effects that you've been describing. It wasn't clear from your message whether you've suddenly come off them, but as Pterodactyl says this is not recommended (and the side-effects you describe could be signs of withdrawal) . Coming off anti-epileptic drugs must be a very gradual process, under the strict supervision of a neurologist.

I recommend that you seek a second opinion about your epilepsy (you can be referred via your GP) and take it from there. You shouldn't stop taking your anti-epileptic drugs unless you have been advised to do so and are being monitored. If you don't feel you are receiving adequate supervision, you need to make this point to the neurologist.

I hope that this is helpful and please don't hesitate to contact me with further questions.

All the best

ERUK_RI