Essential tremors for Epilim and Lamictal [2013-2016] now same thing for Vimpat and Briviact [2018- 2021 ......

[Adlon57]

I have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and from 2013 was on Epilim and Lamictal but due to the severe tremors of my hands especially my left hand was scanned for Parkinson's disease, which proved negative [my father had had Parkinson's disease] my medication was changed to Fycompa and Lamictal which at first certainly made my hands steady, so much so I was thinking of applying for drawing classes! After a dramatic period on that medication, I was eventually changed to Vimpat and Briviact in 2018, but again in 2021 due to increased 'shakiness' tested for Parkinson's disease, again negative, WHEW! So could it be just the same side effects of the Epilim/Lamictal and Vimpat/Briviact that is the trouble? Anybody on a similar combination of these epilepsy medications finding an increasing shaking of the hands, almost a Parkinson's disease type tremors of their hands, more enhanced by the length of time they are on them? [NB those are the name's prescribed on my medication they could well be under a different 'alias'?]

[Rmurray]

Hi, id say definitely. I’m on Epilim (was 800 mg, now 1000mg) and over the past year or 2 I’d say my hand and arm shakiness has definitely got worse. Sometimes I can’t write, and if i hold a spoon or my phone i can see and feel my hand shaking.My GP said it shouldn’t get worse, and I don’t want to change my meds as ive had no seizures for 2.5yrs…..so i guess I’m stuck with it?!

[Adlon57 in reply to Rmurray]

Is there a way of getting rid of these "tremors" altogether other via weird mind blowing medication? I used to mild 'jerks' but since 2017, and bad seizures, I cannot type properly, hands are uncontrollable, I DO NOT LIKE THIS, having strong urges to stick a knife into an arm or hand, or smash a hammer onto them, to 'teach' my body who is in control! Getting extremely angry with myself, build up of anxiety and blood pressure, hands get worse, a real catch 22 situation! Pathetic I know, but now that urge ALWAYS in the back of my brain🥴 I have been checked twice for Parkinson's, negative, something to do with pure wear and tear, and side effects of the medication, Vimpat and Briviact I take for my Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy?

[Angie140720]

Hi, I also developed a tremor when epilim was increased from 800mg to 1000mg. I have gone back to 800mg and added in ethosuximide to control the absence and myoclonic seizures which epilim didnt do at that dose, although still have the brain zaps at night which I am struggling to deal with. My brother also had juvenile epilepsy and had the tremor on epilim and keppra 1000mg of each.

[Adlon57 in reply to Angie140720]

The epilim caused my tremors then, but the "brain zaps" could be caused by the Lamictal/lamrogine? when changing medication I was just on lamictal and I had those, very frightening!

[Angie140720 in reply to Adlon57]

Yes epilim causes tremors sadly. You had the brain zap with lamictal I get them with epilim. They arent nice and disrupt sleep but I havent worked out if they are to do with how the drug interacts with the brain as we had different drugs. I have heard someone suggest they maybe breakthrough seizures when not fully controlled by the medication we are taking, possibly linked to the myoclonic seizures.

[Adlon57 in reply to Angie140720]

Interesting, I'd like to hear more on this matter? I always had the brain zaps just before I slipped into sleep 'mode'! Always while just on the Lamictal!

[Angie140720 in reply to Adlon57]

I get them when going to sleep but then can be woken up during the night when transitioning between sleep cycles and in the morning waking me up. I didnt get them with keppra or lamictal. The brain works in strange ways!

[DonnaBette in reply to Adlon57]

Hiya what’s a brain zap? Sorry new on here and on epilim chrono 2.1 g per day and Keppra 3g per day with shakes and jerks for years. Had night time wakenings with vivid dreams for years. Along with waking up with marks/scratches in face but no diagnosis of night time epilepsy possibly non epileptic episodes. Have been on other drugs to control my tonic clonic but myoclonic jerks have never been controlled. Now 55 years old and asking questions about different types of epilepsy and side effects. Epilepsy since I was 14 years old. Thank you 😊

[Adlon57 in reply to DonnaBette]

It is a term to describe when a person is slipping into 'sleep' mode, the brain reacts like an electric shock to the system, in my case the body could be thrown out of bed, it could take at least half/three quarters to have the courage to attempt to try to get back to sleep. I have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, had it since 14, now aged 65, Lamictal [on it's own] was the only Epileptic medication that this happened with! That is what I would term "brain zaps"!

[DonnaBette in reply to Adlon57]

Thank you so much 😊

[Hidden]

Have you ever been on Lamictal monotherapy?

[Adlon57 in reply to Hidden]

Nope??

[Hidden in reply to Adlon57]

What are your currenty dossages?

[Adlon57]

Vimpat 400mg Briviact 75mg [epilepsy] Lisinopril 10mg [high blood pressure] Metformin 1000 mg [diabetes] and turmeric, that's my lot! [at the moment?]