Unsure Whether to accept medication or not.

[jsf2]

Hello, I am 22 and I have been having what we believe to be 'Partial seizures' for several years now, starting from around the age of 14. I have had an the tests in order to confirm or not whether I have it. No other things were found and the neurologist doctor has offered to put me on medication for this. I have been given a few months to consider this.

I guess I am just emailing you to ask what your views are, My seizures happen roughly 3 times a month, I believe i am having Autonomic seizures. As I get a strange and hard to describe, unpleasant feeling. My head feels kind of numb, almost as if I have swam down too deep in a swimming pool and have all this pressure, and then I get a burning sensation around my chest, and sometimes these feelings cause me to vomit.

I have been getting mixed views about whether or not I should take the medication. I know its up to me, but the only advice I've been getting is from people who aren't all that aware of the illness.

I only experience these a few times a month, and those few times are quite distressing but a lot of people are telling me I shouldn't really go on the medication, as its not 100% that I have it.

My auntie had a form of seizures when she was younger, My Grandparents told me, and she went on medication for it, for around a year and got better.

What would you advice me to do? I believe the medication I would be given would be Lamictal (lamotrigine).

How long would I have to stay on medication for roughly?

Thank you for your time.

[Tazzy2]

With me it was we think, but it was suggested that I try the medication and see if it worked. It did so I kept taking it and my quality of life is far better than it would otherwise have been.

I believe in the old adage of "suck it and see", you cannot really lose by being on it as if it does not help you can come of it easily, however unless you try it there will always be a what if

Lamictal is one of the newest drugs and a very good one

[sporan]

I have partial complex seizures from symptomatic epilepsy and take both Keppra and Lamactil. I have to say that, although on a combination of two medications, the one that has had the most benificial effect so far is the Lamactil. Whether it's the control over the seizures or the mood control effect of the drug I don't know, although the two things, for me, are linked. Lamactil is sometimes used for bi-polar and depressive disorders. (Don't think your being treated for either, lots of drugs are used for completely different conditions effectively).

Controlling mood and stress, I find, improves both the severity and frequency of seizures. I usually get 2 or 3 a week, although my wife claims more. Judging from posts, both here and on the epilesy society sites, stress, anxiety and mood swings are quite a common trigger for seizures.

At the end of the day the choice is yours and the best person to advise you as to whether they will be a 'for life' medication or not would be either your consultant or, if your lucky enough to have a GP with some knowledge of epilepsy (they seem to be rare beasts) or an epilepsy nurse in your area (again an endangered species of health worker).

The drug is introduced gradually by stepping up dosage, in my case each fortnight, until an effective dose is reached. I believe that it can be withdrawn in the same way, but as I say seek medical advice from a doctor or consultant before doing that.

[Hidden]

Hi jsf2, the choice is yours but I would be very wary without medication. It's worth a try and could improve the situation. I have had epilepsy now for 41 years from the age of 16. I am now 57. I have stayed on the same medication for over 20 years now, only dosages have been increased, and my seizures are so much better... Also my epilepsy was caused from a hit on a diving board, and started with stress and puberty. Hormones play a big part.