Side effects

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Side effects

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Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP30 >> Discusses the skin rash she had with an anti-epileptic drug.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1985. Has tried several different drug treatments, and had 4 years free of seizures. Seizures restarted in 1996 and epilepsy is currently not completely controlled. Current medication: carbamazepine (Tegretol) daily and clobazam (Frisium) when needed.

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP26 >> Expresses her concerns about an anti-epileptic drug and the risks of osteoporosis.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1966. Has poorly controlled epilepsy and has tried various drug treatments over the years. Current medication: Slow-release carbamazepine (Tegretol Retard), gabapentin (Neurontin) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP19 >> Recalls his feelings of tiredness when first using anti-epileptic drugs.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1985. Seizures have been controlled since 1992. Current drug treatment is carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) and sodium valproate (Epilim).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP27 >> Recalls the hand tremors she had with one drug and poor concentration with another.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1995. Tried a number of different drug treatments, and on average has about one seizure per year. Current medication: lamotrigine (Lamictal).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP18 >> Explains how her drug dosage was altered because she felt tired and looked pale.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1967, at a few months of age. Tried various anti-epileptic drugs and had neurosurgery in 1997 which reduced the frequency and intensity of seizures. Current medication: lamotrigine (Lamictal) and sodium valproate (Epilim).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP16 >> Discusses the muscle jerks and speech problems she had with anti-epileptic drugs.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1992. Has tried sodium valproate (Epilim), lamotrigine (Lamictal) and topirimate (Topamax), though epilepsy is not controlled. Current medication: sodium valproate (Epilim) and topirimate (Topamax).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP02 >> Explains that gaining weight was preferable to having seizures.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1996. Seizures have been controlled since 2000. Current medication: Epilim ( sodium valproate), and Lamictal (lamotrigine).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP36 >> Explains how weight gain and other side-effects affected her.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1998. Has tried sodium valproate (Epilim) and is currently taking lamotrigine (Lamictal), which has reduced the frequency and intensity of seizures but epilepsy is not controlled. Current medication: lamotrigine (Lamictal).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP26 >> Discusses the impacts of different anti-epileptic drugs.

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP13 >> Comments on the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on his memory.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1994. Tried various drug treatments, but epilepsy is not controlled. Current medication: phenytoin (Epanutin), phenobarbitone (Gardenal) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP01 >> Explains why she came off all anti-epileptic drugs.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1964. Tried various drugs but these did not control seizures. In an attempt to have an acceptable quality of life, decided to stop taking anti-epileptic drugs in 2001 and is on a Chinese/macrobiotic diet. Current medication: diazepam (Valium) when needed.

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP11 >> Describes the severe side effects she had with various anti-epileptic drugs.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 2000. Tried various drugs which did not control seizures and caused severe side effects. At the time of interview, participant had stopped taking all medication. Current medication: none.

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged under 30 >> Interview EP24 >> Explains that she would like to come off a drug because of its effects on her vision.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1993. Has tried various different drug treatments, and has been seizure free for a year. Current medication: vigabatrin (Sabril), lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP19 >> Wonders about the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on his memory.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1985. Seizures have been controlled since 1992. Current drug treatment is carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard) and sodium valproate (Epilim).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP01 >> Explains why she slowly came off all medication.

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 50-69 >> Interview EP31 >> Explains that she got used to having the VNS despite a few side effects.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1980, shortly after having a stroke. Had severe uncontrolled epilepsy despite trying many different drug treatments. Had a Vagal Nerve Stimulator implanted in 2001, and has experienced a vast improvement both in seizure frequency and recovery time following a seizure. Current medication: carbamazepine retard (Tegretol Retard).

Nerves & brain >> Epilepsy >> Aged 30-49 >> Interview EP22 >> Explains that anti-epileptic drugs can also make people feel depressed.

Diagnosed with epilepsy in 1988. Tried various drugs, and had neurosurgery in 2000. Has been seizure free since surgery, and stopped taking medications (lamotrigine and carbamazepine) a few months after neurosurgery.

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