How many tablets should I go through before I call it quits?

[Monkey_1495]

Hi, I'm currently experimenting with a few meds to see if they better control my seizures (tonic clinic and simple partial) but I haven't found any success. My first tablet that I was prescribed workwd ok but I was still getting simple partial seizures. I'm onto my 3rd med and nothing has changed at what should I just give up? This ordeal is taking a real toll on my family as they as seeing first hand the changes in my mood with each new medication I take.

Thanks.

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi there – we know that finding the right balance of the right epilepsy medicine can take some time and managing side effects can be difficult (epilepsy.org.uk/info/treatm...

It can be really helpful to share support and information so I hope you hear from others here.

You might be interested to know we have other online services as well.

Here are the links:

forum.epilepsy.org.uk/

facebook.com/epilepsyaction

instagram.com/epilepsyaction/

twitter.com/epilepsyaction

If over time you’ve tried several medicines and they haven’t worked you may be able to ask for a referral to a specialist epilepsy centre. We have some website information that explains the NICE guidelines about this: epilepsy.org.uk/info/treatm...

You’d be welcome to call and talk to us at the Helpline if you have any more questions or think we can be of more help: epilepsy.org.uk/info/suppor...

I hope you can find a way forwards that works for you.

Regards

Mags

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team

[AmyBadd]

Hi, I would have thought your neurologist would be able to advice you on this. There are certainly loads of meds out there, but they come in "families" in terms of how they work. When I was planning my last pregnancy, I discussed trying new medications with my neurologist, as I was on sodium valproate which can be dangerous in pregnancies. However, I'd already tried lamotrigine and keppra before being put on SV and neither worked at all for me. The neurologist advised me that most of the other "safe alternatives" were unlikely to work for me, either, because they worked in the same way as these two drugs. As I didn't want to go through months of steadily increasing doses only to find that they didn't work, I therefore didn't bother trying such medications.