Have any of you experienced changes in your seizure triggers after your medication had been changed? Different (new) to how your case was before?

I was thinking back to what happened to me at a theme park last year and tried searching the web on one of my meds. I could not find any material (scientific) relating to this.

I had a very mild seizure on a ride that seemed to be triggered at the end of the ride when they take your picture. I am NOT photo-epileptic. I had worked a music festival for over 6 years on stage. Worked other concerts as well, so lighting (strobes, lasers, standard cans) has no bearing on me, no matter what type of lighting or color gel used.

I had not had symptoms light related until last year. That was the first and only time (thankfully). I did notice when the hospital alert went off, waiting for blood work, the strobes bothered me; and I was unsure if it was due to the areas lack of lighting, or something else.

So, after keying in all that, have you ever heard of people becoming photo-epileptic due to a medication?

--Travis

Travis,

Your original question asked if we noticed seizure trigger changes after beginning a new medication. For me, after beginning Topamax, I became sensitive to scents. I ended up having a seizure immediately after smelling a wildly scented candle. I've never had a reaction to scents prior to this, but I don't want to repeat this experiment for accuracy, lol.

As far as photosensitivity goes, I've always been reactive to that, so it was not from my medication. Perhaps, our level of tolerance to certain stimuli decreases with different anticonvulsant meds.

Life, I was neutral in my question to avoid slanting replies. Your post was almost a confirmation that it MAY HAVE effects on us. I did not want to mention Topamax being that was my suspect cause, however I had no proof, nor could I find scientific data posted/printed on the web in journals or medical sites.

Interesting that it had that effect in your case.

--Travis

Ahhh, so Topamax was the possible culprit for you as well? Nonetheless, it was a one time incident for me and as you say, it may or may not be related to the medication. Anyway, I am having terrific success with this medication, so I'm staying on it. What med are you taking to control your seizures?

I'm still on it, I had been fighting with eating for years due to topa. This winter I found some that tend to work well (foods). Still on Teg (original med!!!) on XR form; and Keppra. They reduced Keppra when my levels were getting into the mid 60's, but I wasn't feeling any problems.

I dislike dealing with meds, but it's par for the course.

I understand about the loss of appetite, but I'm happy about it - I needed to lose the weight. I've lost 52 lbs. so far. Have you lost weight while on it? Do you find Topamax affects your ability to sleep through the night? I do.

I was on Tegretol for years, but had to get off of it due to the drop in my platelets. I was completely off meds for about 10 years, until I had a TIA last year which triggered the seizures again. Thought I was done with this.

I was exactly the opposite on eating. I needed to maintain my food intake and Topa started to become problems with the mental impact. I tried changing diets (food) and it would work, then stall. I needed to GAIN weight having only been eating one meal a day for a while. I'm on the opposite of most people. I was able to put on some weight that I hadn't been able to before; not to mention the nutritional intake.

My sleep related problems are when I get OFF cycle. It takes about 5 days to get back on track. Rarely I'll awake early, but thats due to nature in the woods up here (birds, woodpeckers pounding at my window).

--Travis

Interesting. Must have been difficult trying to put on weight when you have a medication that clearly suppresses the appetite. I too, am very happy with just one meal a day and find that I need to remind myself that I need to eat more. Perhaps the other meds you take offset the topa and allow you to eat a bit more than I do. Glad your sleep isn't being interrupted too much. Waking up to nature sounds kinda nice.

As long as the seizures are under control, the other stuff is pretty manageable. Thanks for your input.