Lacosamide

[Dugstar]

Hi I used to only have short absence seizures not nice but could deal with them but recently they are more aggressive like a clonic seizure but no convulsions it's as if when people see me have one they are waiting for convulsions but they don't happen! I do lose consciousness but only for about a minute or 2 but I also have a cluster of them where I drift in & out! I'm very poorly before they happen feel nauseas & sight very blurred and hearing disappears then I'm out of it! Does anyone else have seizures like this? Also I'm on lacosamide 100mg for now is this med better taken in 2 doses it is due to increase every 2 weeks depending on seizures many thanks seizures are due to small Dnet brain tumour which hasn't changed etc in 2 years so don't understand why seizures are getting more aggressive???? Thanks 😬

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi - It sounds like you’re having a tough time at the moment with this.

Sometimes seizures can change and we don’t always know why: epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizur....

But it could also be worth checking to see if there are any triggers that might have changed things recently: epilepsy.org.uk/info/triggers.

It might be best to keep a diary of what you are noticing.

Lacosamide is usually taken in 2 doses and at the same times every day, but sometimes doctors may give different instructions.

It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for taking your medicine, but you could ask them if they would recommend taking it twice a day.

I hope your new medicine starts to work to stop these seizures soon. But if not it might be best to speak to your epilepsy doctor or nurse.

Regards

Mags

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team.

[Dugstar in reply to EpilepsyAction1]

Thankyou 💕

[lgd333]

I was on Vimpat (Lacosamide) for 8 months... The side effects were just too much for me. Constant exhaustion, nausea, loss of balance, muscle twitches, irritability, constipation, weight gain/swelling and more. I was weaned off Tegretol and reached the dosage of 200mg. twice daily. When visiting my Neurologist, I requested a change. He now has me on Lamotrigine (increasing from 25mg. every 2 weeks until maximum dosage of 150mg. is reached). At the same time, he is weaning me off Vimpat, but I take Phenytoin also. I've felt so much better with less tiredness, more energy and less side effects. Please speak to the GP or Neurologist/Nurse about possibly a change in dosage or medication!

[Dugstar in reply to lgd333]

Hi thanks for reply I've already been on lamotrigine which was great but came out in awful rash I was gutted they had to take me off it! I kept taking it just to see if my body would get used to it & the rash go away but it just got even worse 😢

[lgd333 in reply to Dugstar]

Please advise how long you were on it before the rash came.

[Dugstar in reply to lgd333]

Hi I was taking it for a month but the rash started after a few days but I was so desperate to stay on it carried on taking it 😩 wasn't a good idea 😢 xx

[lgd333 in reply to Dugstar]

Thank you... I'm in my 4th/5th week now but take an anti-histamine (allergy medication) daily so hopefully this will help if any rash occurs. I was on Vimpat for 8 months but my focal seizures got worse also. Take care and all the best.

[Dugstar in reply to lgd333]

Sounds like you will be OK I hate vimpat feel like I drag myself around but think all the others are worse so will persevere ❤️ stay safe ♥️

[lgd333 in reply to Dugstar]

Please take care... Hope the seizures get controlled and Vimpat suits you soon!