Epilepsy medication side effects - hair loss and weight gain

Thank you! I am guessing from reading all the comments that finding the right med could be quite a process. I am learning a lot from “listening to everyone” so I am grateful …

@baa
Sometimes control happens with the first medication but in my case it took 45 years to gain control whereas some never do get control. However, who knows if my seizures decreased because of the medication or were they going to stop, decrease or change type and intensity anyway?
Just curious @baa, did you have any balance or memory side effects?
Take care
Jake

My kids think I’ve been in the wine!! Yes, balance is a bit off but I’m aware so try to be careful. I do experience some memory problems but didn’t know if it was the med or just caused by seizure. I have been in excellent health (exception migraines) until the seizures.

Hi @baac
What I have learned since I have been diagnosed with epilepsy in 2019 (I am 52 years old now), is that everyone is different. As @jakedduck1 has mentioned some people get control of seizures with the first medication. Hope you stay well with this medication.
One thing that has helped me much when I got diagnosed was learning about my own epilepsy, something that the Epilepsy Foundation recommends much. Their site (Epilepsy.com) is very informative and has helped me much. I recommend it!!!
Happy New Year to All of You!
Here is a link to a beautiful message for this coming year. It is not in English, but you can add subtitles in English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpIEHRukIfE
Santosha

Thank you for sharing the link. I couldn’t understand the words but some messages are uplifting without words!
Is it appropriate to ask advice on how to respond to family members about their concerns (or lack of it) to this diagnosis?

Hi @baa
This beautiful video is not in English, but it is possible to change the settings and put English subtitles. The link I have sent was already with this configuration, but from your message I understand it has not worked. It is available on YouTube and this setting with English subtitles can easily be done!
I am not sure if I understood well your question about asking advice on how to respond to family members about their concerns Do you mean, asking advice here in our group on how you should respond to your family member's concerns? Did I get it right?
Santosha

Yes, I am asking as I have one daughter who is saying she needs to move in with me since I have nocturnal seizures. She is very afraid of leaving me alone at night. My son, however, says “you are going to die anyway” and has no concern. I do feel some stress in trying to keep peace between them. Has anyone faced a similar experience early-on in their diagnosis?

Hi @baa
What kind of seizures do you have during the night? What did your doctor advise you?
I had some concerns regarding my mother who has Alzheimer's and asked her doctor what would be the best thing to do. I also had a private appointment with her doctor together with my father. He needed to listen to certain things from the doctor's mouth and make adaptations in his life!

My neurologist diagnosed me with nocturnal tonic-clonic seizures. Other than medication (started with Keppra but could not function d/t fatigue) which was changed to Lacosimide, that is about it. I am about 3 hrs from Vanderbilt which has an Epilepsy Center and my daughter wants me to go.

Any advice how to get the subtitles, Santosha???
Thanks,
Jake