New to all of this..

[EpilepsyLGC]

Hi,

I had my first properly diagnosed series of seizures last week after a couple of years of inconclusive investigations following occasional 'auras'. I ended up being taken to hospital in the ambulance after my 13 year old daughter found me having a tonic-clonic. I have now been started on Levetiracetam, 250mg twice daily but plan is to increase to 500mg twice daily. I currently feel very light headed and a bit 'hungover', I don't know whether that's an after effect of the seizures or side-effect of the new meds. Hoping this feeling will pass soon. Although there was a suspicion of epilepsy leading up to the hospital admission, it's still a bit of a shock and I'm trying to get my (fuzzy) head around it all. Any advice gratefully received.

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi

Thank you for your message. A new diagnosis can be difficult to deal with.

We have lots of information on our website that you might find useful, such as information about treatment, seizure types, first aid, daily living and wellbeing.

epilepsy.org.uk/info/treatment

epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizures-explained

epilepsy.org.uk/info/firstaid

epilepsy.org.uk/info/daily-life

epilepsy.org.uk/info/wellbeing

It’s possible that the light headed and hungover feeling could be an after effect of the seizures, a side-effect of the medicine, or a bit of both.

It’s normal to feel tired and unwell after a tonic-clonic seizure and the time it takes to recover is different for everyone. For some people it can take several days to feel “back to normal.”

Lamotrigine can cause side-effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue and headache for some people. For most people these side-effects are short term and lessen over time as the body gets used to the medicine. But for some people these side-effects can last for as long as they are taking the medicine. So if these don’t improve speak to your epilepsy specialist, epilepsy nurse (if you have one) or your GP. This is because there are lots of different epilepsy medicines and they may consider a change to your medicine.

Many people find it helpful to talk to, or contact, others who understand what is happening to them. I hope you get some replies from other people here. But I wanted to let you know that you can also talk to other people through our forum4e online community, and on our Facebook and twitter pages too.

forum.epilepsy.org.uk

facebook.com/epilepsyaction/

twitter.com/epilepsyaction

Finally, please feel free to contact our helpline team. You can either email [e-mail] or phone the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. Our helpline is open Monday to Thursday 8.30am until 8.00pm, Friday 8.30am until 4.30pm and Saturday 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Regards

Jess

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team

[Dartmoorchick]

Hello, my daughter soon to turn 21 was diagnosed september 19. Only two seizures a year apart but testing was conclusive and showed her having focal seizures which she was unaware off at the time. We were both sceptical about the need for medication but it's been a very positive experience. She is now much more lucid and switched on, she hadn't realised before her diagnosis and meds, how the focal seizure were having a negative effect on her ability to process info and communicate well. As a family her diagnosis, albeit a shock and some adjustments........has been a positive one for Elles, it's made sense of some of her difficulties in her last years of school and so very proud to say her experience has led her to wanting to nurse and care for others. Good luck with the meds, stick with any side effects for a few days/weeks. Elles hasn't experience any negativity after the first 10 days or so.