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On Epilim And Tegretol CR Due To Epilepsy. Went Off Them To Reproduce. Thoughts Blocked. Go Back On Both?
Question: I have been on epilim500 and tegretol CR for 13 years because I have epilepsy. It started when I was 21, I am now 35, and seizure free for 7 years. This year I want to start a family, and I can't on the above medication, so 1 month ago I weaned myself off them, and have not had anything for a month. But, in the last two weeks, I've started to feel weird, everything seems surreal, it's like I can't think, like I've got brain fog,not alert at all, and I start getting anxious and paranoid when I'm in public. Being off these tablets has changed my personality to be this way.
I don't want to feel and think this way anymore, so I am going to go back on the medication, even though I'm seizure free, because it's making me crazy! I need to know can I start taking the epilim and tegretol together straight away, or should I start with one?? I was on 1 epilim and half a tegretol in the mornings, then stopped.
Should I start them at the same time? Please help!!!
I don't want to feel and think this way anymore, so I am going to go back on the medication, even though I'm seizure free, because it's making me crazy! I need to know can I start taking the epilim and tegretol together straight away, or should I start with one?? I was on 1 epilim and half a tegretol in the mornings, then stopped.
Should I start them at the same time? Please help!!!
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
In first instance I concur with putting her on antiepileptc drugs but have reservation on two counts
1. Use of valproate and carbamazepine as a combination and using it for 7 years seizure free period. These drugs could have been tapered after 3-5 years of seizure free period.
2. Next point is that drugs were withdrawan too abruptly and then without medical supervision.
Well these are things of past.
At present, episode is more likely panic attack than epilepsy. They are possibly related to abrupt withdrawal of drugs and likely to improve over a passage of time. Anti-anxiety medication can be tried if no response is evident.
There is no need to put her back on valproate or carbamazepine at present. She needs observation for any likely recurrence for seizures for next 5 months. I will also suggest a repeat EEG study also.
Previous history of number of attacks, type and description of attacks, family history, CT scan findings, EEG findings will be of help in deciding prognosis in this patient.
Hope this answers your query. Should you have any additional concerns, feel free to post your queries; I will be glad to assist you.
Regards
Thanks for the query.
In first instance I concur with putting her on antiepileptc drugs but have reservation on two counts
1. Use of valproate and carbamazepine as a combination and using it for 7 years seizure free period. These drugs could have been tapered after 3-5 years of seizure free period.
2. Next point is that drugs were withdrawan too abruptly and then without medical supervision.
Well these are things of past.
At present, episode is more likely panic attack than epilepsy. They are possibly related to abrupt withdrawal of drugs and likely to improve over a passage of time. Anti-anxiety medication can be tried if no response is evident.
There is no need to put her back on valproate or carbamazepine at present. She needs observation for any likely recurrence for seizures for next 5 months. I will also suggest a repeat EEG study also.
Previous history of number of attacks, type and description of attacks, family history, CT scan findings, EEG findings will be of help in deciding prognosis in this patient.
Hope this answers your query. Should you have any additional concerns, feel free to post your queries; I will be glad to assist you.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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