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My experience with zonisamide for seizures (a sulfa drug)
Epilepsy & Seizures | Last Active: Dec 16, 2022 | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
Hello,
I noticed your message about taking depakote for 5o years. My son has been on depakote for around 12 and the past few years he is having a heard time retaining info. About a year ago he started a plumbing apprenticeship and is really noticing that he is unable to obtain any information. He forgets really easily like what he did the day before and his ocd has gotten really bad. At first I thought it was adult add but after reading about depakote I am thinking maybe its the medicine. Have you ever experienced any of this. We get nowhere with the doctor. His primary care doctor proscribed prozac?? and his nero just kind of ignores it?? Anyhow any info on this will help. Maybe its time to switch siezure med?
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@tlb101175
First of all, First of all, if I were you I’d be looking for a new neurologist.
Seizure meds, unfortunately are notorious for causing attention and concentration problems which have a direct bearing on memory. Most and possibly all seizure meds have the potential to cause some degree of drowsiness which may be directly related to memory issues.
They can also cause the inability to recall words and thoughts that you already know and is quite common in Epilepsy patients.
Among some researchers it is debatable if cognitive problems are caused by seizure medication. Since many studies have concluded that people with epilepsy score lower, and have more problems with many cognitive functions I have little to no doubt that if you conducted a poll amongst people with epilepsy most, if not all would say they have memory and other cognitive problems.
Depakote, an older medication which seems to cause more cognitive impairment than some of the newer ones, however, just because they are newer doesn't necessarily make them better for everyone.
There are newer drugs with many problems the older drugs cause like Topamax, Zonegran and one released in 2020 that I can’t think of the name of it and possibly others.
One problem with changing medications is if your sons seizures are currently controlled.
One problem with changing medications is if your sons seizures are currently controlled and if he needs to drive that’s something to consider. Why was the prozac prescribed?
Take care,
Jake