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Have you gone from zonisamide to lamictal?
Epilepsy & Seizures | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
Changing from zonisamide to lamictal after year of constant weight gain, kidney values slightly elevated.All tests for thyroid, menopause (47 yr old autistic) negative , but on Seroquel and buspar , never gained on those . behavior good on Zonisamide but 25# weight gain not in a year! Lamictal side effects??
Replies to "Changing from zonisamide to lamictal after year of constant weight gain, kidney values slightly elevated.All tests..."
Hi @minajo
I have taken Lamictal but I could not stand it because it caused severe insomnia to me. I also had a skin rash, but after 6 weeks it disappeared. Indeed, this AED has fewer side effects than the other AEDs I have tried (Tegretol, Trileptal, Vimpat and Gabaneurin).
Chris (Santosha)
@minajo
Has Epidiolex (medical cannabis) been tried before? I know some people with both epilepsy and autism who have had great results with medical cannabis.
Chris (Santosha)
Hi @minajo
In my opinion, this is a typical answer of doctors who are not yet very much acquainted with medical cannabis treatment and its benefits. Moreover, the pharma industry lobby is strong.
Chris (Santosha)
Well my decision to take my autistic, nonverbal , epileptic daughter from Zonisamide to Lamictal begins.. her abdominal distention, hospitalization, brought me back to original concern that 25# weight gain, ammonia, kidney values increased first began after Zonisamide initiated so only way to know is change
Question, from 300 to 200 to 150,100 finally to 50 .. dr will start Lamictal at 50 mg week.. then from 25-100 for 4 weeks till lab for Lamictal
Any ideas on this titration schedule?
She hasn't had seizure since 5/2022 on Dilantin..
Also her abdomen still distended.. dx at hospital discharge was bladder infection and fecal impaction, no gi visit yet, waiting!
Thanks
The lamictal is more of a mood stabilizer when taken for bipolar. It just keeps moods from swinging too extreme on either end. I felt a change but I became calmer. You might mention it to the doctor but changes in medicine that can affect moods take awhile to level out when the doses keep changing. Hang in there! I really hope she levels out soon. I do remember I would get sad and frustrated every time my meds would change. Maybe once they are level she will perk up. I really hope so.
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My husband has been in lamictal since 2020. It has been incredibly effective and seems to have no side effects. He takes Keppra also. This combination really controls his seizures. Hope this works for you!