Switching from Topamax to Vimpat

Posted by shelly9541 @shelly9541, Sep 7 5:18pm

Hello. I requested my dr to get me off Topamax because the memory issues are getting bad as I age. Im 60. She wants to switch to Vimpat. Everything I've read, it sounds the same side effects. I take Lamictal as well. I have partial complex and another kind. I cant think of the name. But I space out during that one too. Any experience you've had with it would be helpful. Thanks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Sep 23 9:07pm

In reply to @baa "Hi Chris … “Do not suffer in advance” My goodness, when I read that I jumped..." + (show)

@baa
Thank you for your message, Brenda; I will sleep with a big smile on my face.😇
I'm very happy to know you had a great visit to your PCP. Celebrate that!
October 14 will be here before we know it, but for now, let's try to savor the present moment.
Peace to us with quieter minds!
Chris

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baa | @baa | Sep 25 12:13pm

In reply to @santosha "@baa Thank you for your message, Brenda; I will sleep with a big smile on my..." + (show)

@santosha, got a return reply this morning from neuo, and he said since I “felt compelled to send med records to the epi after reading his consult notes, he would just turn me over to him. “
Just tone wasn’t that cordial. I got my feelings hurt a little then replied later,
I said I noticed epi because months ago he asked me to, apparently in possibility of admission to Vandys monitoring unit. I told him I couldn’t find his (neuros) consult notes and maybe epi couldn’t either as all he said was he had reviewed ER physician notes. I further stated I did not understand the protocol between two specialists and “assumed” they would communicate. I was polite but his tone wasn’t quite nice and a little upsetting. So I have my answer. If he wants to be a little more polite that will be appreciated and if not I will assume some ego possibility bruised ?

baa | @baa | Sep 26 11:12am

In reply to @santosha "@baa Thank you for your message, Brenda; I will sleep with a big smile on my..." + (show)

@santosha I have a question you may be able to answer. If you are suspected to have non- epileptic seizures why would your AED med mg be increased? (Hasn’t been determined I don’t have more than one kind)
I can’t find the answer on my own

Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Sep 27 6:42am

In reply to @baa "@santosha I have a question you may be able to answer. If you are suspected to..." + (show)

@baa
Good Morning Brenda!
Thank you for the updates with your neurologist. Your response was thoughtful and well-handled. Now, I believe it is best you wait until October 14, when you will have the opportunity to see your neurologist in person. Dealing with egos in the medical field is quite common, unfortunately. I have experienced that myself.
As to your question, "if you are suspected to have non-epileptic seizures, why would your AED med mg be increased?" Indeed, it makes no sense as an AED increase would not have an effect on it, like it doesn't for PNES (psychological non epileptic seizures) also known as FND.
Have your epileptologist and/or neurologist specifically discussed the possibility of non-epileptic seizures with you? Have you had any seizures during EEG monitoring that weren't captured?
There's an excellent discussion in our group about non-epileptic seizures that has taught me a great deal. I actually had my first non-epileptic seizures this past August, which I shared about in that discussion. Here's the link:
Have nonepileptic seizures/psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/non-epileptic-seizures-or-pnes/
Wishing you a peaceful weekend!
Chris

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