Vimpat - are memory issues transient?

I work with a functional medicine doctor who has been very helpful dealing with the causes of anxiety and depression. Thankfully!

Hi @hillsboro
Tell us more about your treatment with this functional doctor, please? This highly interests me.
Thank you!
Chris (@santosha)

I have worked with him 10+ years. He does not use any typically prescribed meds. He works to find the core causes, not just treat the symptoms. For most of those 10+ years I had no depression or anxiety. If I had some breakthrough of either he would adjust my supplements. His whole way of working is finely tuned use of supplements. He is one of the best doctors I know! The first year you go twice - initial appointment and at six months after your initial appointment. He is available for phone consult I think. Very hard to get into but I also know that Mayo has some good functional medicine doctors also referred to as integrative medicine.

Good Morning @hillsboro
This is so great to hear!!! Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
I believe much in integrative medicine! Unfortunately, here in São Paulo - Brazil some doctors are charlatans in this area as I have experienced. I have not yet found a good integrative medicine doctor over here.
Curiosity, do you take MCT oil as a supplement? And Vitamins of B Complex?
You might enjoy a book called Brave New Medicine by Dr. Cynthia Li, once a conventional doctor who through her autoimmune disease became an integrative medicine doctor. Here is a link to an interview about her journey, in case this interests you.

I take a lot of vitamin B in a number forms plus a complex plus vitamin B-12 shots. The jury is still out for high blood pressure and MCT. I was on three high blood pressure meds and just recently they lowered it to two with close monitoring. Dr. Google gives conflicting recommendations for high blood pressure and MCT..

My functional doctor does not do virtual appointments. Too many blood tests looking for not typical things. I don’t think his state allows that so I am relatively certain it would not allow cross country. More and more doctors are practicing functional medicine so you might look around Brazil.

Our bodies are so complicated especially as we age. Kind of shooting at a moving target in the dark.

Hope your day is good!

Get Outlook for iOS< https://aka.ms/o0ukef&gt;

Interesting @hillsboro . I will be checking on my blood pressure. Thank you for sharing it.
Wishing you all a nice weekend.
Chris (@santosha)

Hi Santosha! Talked to my psychiatrist yesterday about a low dose of antidepressant and he said had no experience of what to prescribe with lacosimide. Yipes. I’m researching. From a natural perspective which you are well versed on, where should I start?

Hi @baa
Have you been already at the Vanderbilt Epilepsy Center?
Exercising is well known to have anti-depressant benefits. There was a study pointing out that people with a light to moderate depression who were put on a brisk walk had the same results as people in the same condition but taking medication. Unfortunately, I can not find this study right now.
At the time I had my depression, I could barely walk due to a problem in my knee. Thank God, this has changed and I try to exercise daily, either with brisk walks or my Pilates. It makes me feel so good and also prevents new depression and reduces my anxiety.
Sometimes, depending on the emotional state, anti-depressants are needed and necessary. When I had my depression, I did sessions of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) instead of taking medication (because I am very sensitive to medications) and it was very helpful. When I ended the sessions, my epileptologist has put me on a very low dosage of Fluoxetine, 15 drops of 20 mg every day (children's dosage as he said). This together with Yoga practicing, the philosophy of Yoga and the great support of my neuropsychologist put me out of that state. Thank God!!!
I recommend you talk to your epileptologist or neurologist and discuss what are the options available to you. My opinion, a neurologist or epileptologist will be able to prescribe meds that go along well with lacosamide and do not harm your epilepsy. Furthermore, such a doctor has also more knowledge to evaluate if what you are experiencing is from lacosamide or the epilepsy itself or even both of them.
Lots of hugs and crossing my fingers for you!
Chris (@santosha)

Thanks so much Chris. I knew if anyone had good insight it would be you! I don’t know how long before I go to Vanderbilt. No word on appt yet. My neuro said he wanted the psych to recommend an antidepressant, and psych said he would have to research what worked with lacosimide, and even pharmacist said she would have to research! So if no one knows it looks like I’ll just try alternatives I used to walk but would have to drive to an area where I could. No place I can get out around my apt (no sidewalks and bad traffic) so I have stopped since no driving. I’m going to have to get motivated to exercise indoors for now. Thanks for the advice!

A good functional medicine doctor can also help with anxiety and depression using supplements, drops, etc. my depression and anxiety were managed for 15 years this way. Every antidepressant I tried gave me seizures. Good luck!