Extended release Lamotrigine, Clonazapam and heartburn

Posted by heal33 @heal33, Apr 8, 2021

I was taking Immediate Release lamotrigine and felt Extended Release might be better. I was taking Immediate Release as I have for years and 0.5 Clonazapam which I started a year ago. I was taking 650mg but I told him lamotrigine and other drugs don't work for me so he decided to reduce the amount to 500mg and then to try 400mg.

I took the Extended Release 400 mg Monday morning and Clonazapam that night. I ended up getting heartburn so I had to go off after one day. I didn't take the clonazapam the last 2 nights and had a seizure today as I haven't gotten a good night's sleep the last 2 nights maybe because I stopped the Clonazapam. Difficult to sleep with the heartburn Monday. May change my diet and start again eventually. I'm going to stop vitamin supplements too for now.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 8, 2021

@heal33
Are you on any other seizure meds besides Lamotrigine?
Jake

heal33 | @heal33 | Apr 8, 2021

A previous doctor prescribed the 0.5 Clonazapam. Sunday I had acid reflux problems with the Extended Reflux. I stopped it after 1 night and starting taking Prilosec the next day which I don't want to stay on it too long. I have had problems with acid reflux in the past. I realize now I have being eating too much citrus fruit and taking vitamin supplements which I will stop. Acid reflux isn't too common with Extended Release but I had more problems when I took it. I've heard people who take Immediate Relax have more acid reflux problems than Extended Release.

I went "cold turkey" with the Clonazapam this week for 2 days I was wondering if that could cause insomnia right away. I'm sorry now I started taking it. Maybe I can do it more gradually. I had 2 seizures today I think due to lack of sleep the last 3 nights.

Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Apr 8, 2021

Hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect @heal33. I am not a medical professional, however, was wondering if you might want to try to add or eliminate just one thing (Rx, food item, vitamin) at a time until you can isolate what is causing the heartburn? Of course any change in your Rx medication should be done under consultation of your physician to be safe. I see @jakedduck1 has also joined and is very knowledgeable so may have other recommendations and thoughts. Happy to have you join us!

heal33 | @heal33 | Apr 9, 2021

In reply to @amandajro "Hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect @heal33. I am not a medical professional, however, was..." + (show)

That may be a good idea, to determine what is a problem and what isn't. I know though that citrus has to be a problem along with my vitamin C gummies. I have been looking at GERD diets and trying to get an idea of what to eat and maybe keep taking the Prilosec for awhile. I might try the Extended Release tablets again later. It's a shame that I have taken only 2 pills of a 3 month supply.

As far as an epilepsy diet I have tried the Modified Atkins but after 1 year I had to quit because that was upsetting my stomach. I decided to try a no processed food diet a about 2 months ago. It is a lot of work as I make my own almond milk, bread, crackers, nut butter, butter, even mayonnaise. I also avoid gluten too this way. Chocolate and coffee I avoid as they have caffeine. Guess I should be cutting carbs but it's hard to give up so many things.