Onfi vs Sympazan

@ldlauwers
A number of anticonvulsants can worsen your normal seizures or cause different types they are known as Paradoxical seizures although rare including Onfi & lamotrigine. When did you first start taking seizure meds and when did what you believe are absence seizures begin?
What dosage of your meds are you taking?
Take care,
Jake

Good Morning @ldlauwers
I'm sorry to hear that zonisamide did not work for you. Indeed, some AEDs can cause depression, as I experienced myself with Tegretol (carbamazepine).
I've never heard of Sympazan, but I looked into it a bit. Sympazan and Onfi actually share the same active ingredient — clobazam. I'm not sure why the depression risk would be different between the two, since it's essentially the same medication. It might be a good question to bring back to your neurologist, just to understand the reasoning.
@jemollica and @stepklin have experience with clobazam, but I don't know if they've used Sympazan specifically.
How has your mood been lately? Are you having any therapist support at this moment?
Chris

@jakedduck1 I have been taking lamotrigine for about 10 years. The onfi is new - I've tried it twice. Once last winter for a month or two and now same amount of time. Both times it was 10mg/2x day. The onfi was added because of what sounds like absence seizures and myoclonic jerks in my leg. The jerks have been happening for years but the episodes where I am just "gone" for a few seconds are before the onfi. I read a description on an absence seizure and it sounds exactly like what I have been experiencing.

@santosha I am clinically depressed right now - I have a lot going on but a month ago I had the same & wasn't bursting into tears randomly. I do have a therapist & a very supportive husband. My neurologist said the sympathy is processed differently. I think im going to ask about going with something other than a benzo.

@ldlauwers
Did the doctor put you on Onfi to control your absences?
Since you're already taking Lamictal, which is probably the one drug with the least possibility of causing depression since it's also a mood stabilizer. I was wondering if you have considered talking to your Neurologist about taking Zarontin, which is a first line medication for absence seizures. Zarontin is a first generation medication and the possibility of depression does exist, although it's not common. Are the focal and absences the only type seizures you're having and is the Lamictal controlling your focals?
Take care,
Jake

I wrote you a second message before I had read your response so I didn't know about the myoclonic jerks however Zarontin also can help certain types of myoclonic jerks. Nowadays, it seems like many physicians are resistant to prescribing first generation anticonvulsants however, they can be extremely effective. I take phenobarbital and Carbatrol, both first generation drugs, and my seizures are controlled. I use the rotten many decades ago when I was having absences and controlled them.
Another thought might be using extended release seizure medication's. My last Neurologist, whenever possible always prescribed extended release, seizure medications, and only prescribed generics when the patients absolutely insisted on them.. I had seizures every day to virtually every other day and was in many induced comas for 45 years
before he began treating me.
I hope the best for you,
Jake

@ldlauwers
There was a study done at Stanford University that showed epilepsy patients shouldn't switch manufacturers of seizure meds when using generic medicines.
Both my brother and I have had seizures related to medications when manufacturers were changed.
Take care,
Jake

@ldlauwers
I'm very sorry to hear that you're depressed right now. I understand it well, having had a similar experience while on Tegretol (carbamazepine). Like you, I would burst into tears for no reason at all. Thankfully, my doctor at the time recognized it and switched my medication.
I'm glad to know you have a therapist and a very supportive husband. Like you, having that kind of support has helped me enormously in continuing my search for the right medication for my epilepsy.
As my current doctor says and practices, the harms of an AED should never outweigh its benefits, even if it keeps a patient seizure-free.
@jakedduck1 has already shared many valuable insights, worth discussing with your neurologist.
How are you and your therapist approaching things in the meantime?
Sending you my best vibes at this difficult moment you're going through. 🙌
Chris

I have a message into my neurologist to respond to her changing to the different form of clobazam. I told her I would like to try something in a different family of drugs. I never really liked the idea of being on a benzo. I have so much going on in my life right now that we haven't even touched on that. I would really like to find a therapist who is familiar with behavioral changes that go along w/ epilepsy but its been impossible. Thank you so much for the insights.