Hi @baa
t's wonderful to hear from you again! 😊
I'm so sorry to learn about the unsteadiness and balance issues you've been experiencing since increasing your Vimpat dosage, especially the falls that have caused you injuries.
I've been on Vimpat for quite some time and dealt with various side effects, but balance problems haven't been among them for me. However, I did experience similar unsteadiness and balance issues with Tegretol (Carbamazepine) back in 2019, which led to a bad fall that injured my knee. I completely understand how frightening and limiting this side effect can be—it kept me from staying as physically active as I should have been out of fear of more accidents, which isn't ideal since we know exercise is so important for both overall health and seizure management.
I also understand the reluctance to try yet another AED after having difficult experiences with others—I've been in that exact position myself. As I shared earlier this year, I eventually had to restart medication, this time with Keppra, because CBD alone wasn't providing adequate seizure control anymore. I was genuinely frightened when my doctor mentioned Keppra, after hearing so many stories from others who'd tried it. But my doctor encouraged me to approach it cautiously with a gradual dose adjustment, and it turned out to be the medication that caused me the fewest problems while keeping me seizure-free for nearly eight months.
I believe that any AED should ultimately provide more benefits than harm. If a medication is causing more harm than good, it's worth exploring alternatives. As my doctor often reminds me, we're all unique in how we respond to these medications. What works well for one person may not work for another, making the search for the right medication and dosage very much a process of careful trial and adjustment, which requires both patience and persistence.
How long ago did your doctor increase your Vimpat to 400 mg? Do you feel that overall, this medication is still providing more benefits than drawbacks for you?
I know how exhausting this process can feel, but please don't lose hope. You've shown incredible strength in managing everything you've been through. You're absolutely not alone in this journey—we're here supporting each other every step of the way! 💜
Chris