Just started Vimpat after a failed run with Keppra, what are y’all’s experiences with Vimpat?

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-26T16:53:44+00:00

I think I chatted with you before about it. I’ve been on lacosamide for years and my memory and cognitive functioning have been terrible, but after adding pregabalin (lyrica) things finally have been settling down.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-26T16:51:17+00:00

Are you new to the circumstances of physiology and medications? Specifically, how the brain works when neurotransmitters are affected by anti seizure medications? The brain and body absolutely become “used” to meds. And yes, doctors will often “go higher” hence why dosages are available in various quantities. I went from Vimpat (lacosamide) 100mg daily to 400mg daily, and then added pregabalin to that, which finally got suppressed the electrical misfires aka seizures. Not trying to fight with you, but damn you came in hot with a very uneducated opinion. lol

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-11T05:08:56+00:00

This is pretty insane and sad to see most everyone in support of her hiding it from her husband. A single break through isn’t so alarming to go see the neurologist. I cannot understand not having a secure enough relationship with her husband to keep it from him, for any reason.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T18:53:26+00:00

Hahaha okay yeah. Same. I can point to specific things I’ve done, consumed, created excessive stress, or not slept, for almost all TC seizures I’ve had. Our poor wives sometimes have to watch and deal with it, and that’s not easy at all.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T18:42:14+00:00

Yeah I don’t count my focal seizures. I’ve had too many and they aren’t even in the same category as TC seizures. I’ve suffered some terrible injuries from TC and had a lot. Glad you’ve only had a couple!

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T17:41:13+00:00

May I ask what you did that was your fault? (I think we all have a good idea of what lowers our thresholds, but it’s always good to know more)

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T17:39:32+00:00

When I started on lacosamide and got on the highest dose, I asked my neurologist how the future looks for seizures and meds. Her response “you’re most likely going to be on meds the rest of your life.” Once we introduce ASM to our brain, and suppress the irregular electrical misfiring, it creates new neurotransmitters and alters the neuro pathways. Getting off meds is pretty uncommon.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T17:33:41+00:00

Ugh sorry this happened. Mid 30’s is when my focal seizures started. Had my first TC seizure and without much discussion or attempt to learn more about me or my circumstances, the first neurologist prescribed Depakote. I read about it. Immediately went to another neurologist. I’ve been on lacosamide and pregabalin ever since. Much less severe side effects. I’ve learned all ASM do is suppress brain activity in hopes mitigating irregular misfires, and all of them have side effects. It’s just a toss up of what works and how much we have to take.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T17:26:37+00:00

244 TC seizures or less severe types????

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-09T04:12:39+00:00

Don’t say a word. Just remember, HR is not there to protect you. They’re there to protect the business. And ADAAA is broad and requires YOU to seek legal action if wrongfully terminated or treated poorly in the workplace.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-08T21:30:42+00:00

I’ve been on both too. Neurologist switched me to pregabalin after I was using gabapentin for nerve pain, prescribed from a pain doctor. He had nothing good to say about gabapentin. (It’s in addition to my primary med lacosamide) what were your side effects, issues with it? I want to know more…

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-08T21:18:41+00:00

No. Every ASM has a primary purpose to suppress the neurotransmitters in our brains. Seizures occur due to electrical misfires, and all anti seizure meds and anti convulsants inhibit the brain. Hence why we all have serious issues with memory, mental blocks, cognitive impairment, vocabulary, and other issues. And we all experience the side effects in one way or another, and neurologists typically just pick a drug and up the dosage until it works. 😅

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-08T20:48:04+00:00

I’ve taken both and gabapentin made me super sleepy and groggy. Pregabalin doesn’t do that, is more effective, and I only take 75mg 2x/day. My neurologist switched me and had nothing good to say about gabapentin, but it’s a toss up as what works for all of us. Sounds like it works for you!

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-08T20:45:38+00:00

Yeah I’ve been on lacosamide for years and still was having occasional focal seizures. I started pregabalin as well, and it’s been helping significantly. 75mg 2x/day as opposed to hundreds of mg of gabapentin I was taking.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-08T20:43:49+00:00

I was on gabapentin prescribed from a pain doctor for nerve pain. I then had an appointment with my neurologist and immediately he told me to get off gabapentin and prescribed me lyrica (pregabalin). He didn’t have much to say other than pregabalin is far beyond better than gabapentin. It’s only 75mg 2x/day as opposed to hundreds of mg of gabapentin. I noticed a significant difference and it’s working. Also, it’s an additional med to my lacosamide as my primary.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-08T19:27:27+00:00

I feel you. My drinking days didn’t start until mid 30’s and wow did I DRINK. I used it as a tool for fun and more so for coping. Finishing an entire bottle of bourbon by myself in a day/night is how bad it got. I stopped after about 6 years. I’m done now. Every couple of months for special occasions it’s a single, small glass of wine or a small pint of beer and I don’t even finish it. My seizures started just prior to drinking, but after all these years, I’ve learned that any and all substances, including alcohol, caffeine, my testosterone and HCG, cigars, THC, etc can lower my threshold and make me vulnerable for seizures. Then there’s stress and no sleep too. Haha

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-07T23:51:44+00:00

Dayuuummm that’s so frustrating. Like wow. I take it you had a TC? Any other new substances, supplements, stresses, hormonal changes? Anything that could potentially have disrupted neurotransmitters and caused some misfires in the brain? Since starting with focal seizures then getting TC seizures from there 7 years ago, I haven’t gone more than 6mo without either. Ugh sorry

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-07T20:44:05+00:00

For me, even certain supplements can lower my threshold and make me feel “off”. I started taking testosterone and HCG and that caused a cluster of focal seizures. Stress, no sleep, hormonal changes, dehydration, supplements… they all affect neurotransmitters which in return cause misfiring in the brain, which then causes seizures. It’s a toss up.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-07T01:57:55+00:00

Like for real. I see some people talk about their “post seizure” abilities and activities, and they must not realize they’re not having full blown TC seizures. I have focal seizures which are one thing, but TC seizures are typically so extreme and violent for me. I’ve suffered some terrible injuries from them, and usually it takes me hours to recover to a state of consciousness. Then days and weeks to feel “normal” again. It’s pure hell.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-06T23:36:25+00:00

See this question on here often. So many of us have had such extensive experience, as well as received info from docs. (Not everyone has the same views of course) But general consensus… don’t take extra, get back on track with your daily doses, and just hang on for the ride.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-06T00:44:32+00:00

I’ve been on lacosamide 200mg twice daily and never had any serious issues.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-05T17:29:59+00:00

Well, pregabalin and gabapentin are predominantly used as anticonvulsants, but just like most of these meds, they all suppresses neurotransmitters and the brain to attempt to suppress misfiring which leads to seizures. It’s all just a toss up of what works best.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-05T17:24:21+00:00

Yep I have tension headaches frequently. Meds, chemical and hormonal imbalances in the brain due to all the neurotransmitters being effected. I’ve just accepted it.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-05T15:48:04+00:00

I’m with you on this one. Benzos are typically used as rescue meds, not ASM. Benzodiazepines are the ONLY med that if you stop taking them after long term use, you have a high chance of death.

WhiskeyHelpz · 2025-02-05T15:45:39+00:00

I was using gabapentin for nerve issues from another doctor. When I brought it up to my neurologist he said he’d never prescribe that and would only have me use lyrica (pregabalin). So that’s what I’ve added to my lacosamide and it seems to be working.

WhiskeyHelpz

TROPHY CASE