Just diagnosed & put on Carbatrol..need advice - Epilepsy Message Board

happynfree · 12-08-2004, 11:50 AM

Hi everyone. Little background..I had my first seizure on 11/11/04 while @ work. (Grand Mal) and it really blew all my co-workers away. I've had two more since then, and I haven't been back to work due to tests, Dr appts, yada yada. I did have an abnormal EEG & got to see the neuro today who has put me on Carbatrol and Lexapro to start with. If you are taking carbatrol, I would love to get some feedback from you guys. This is all new to me & I really just don't know what to expect. Its all scary and making me panic. I won't start the meds until tomorrow. Before my neuro appt, I have been on this board & I think I have read every post thats on here. There are just a couple that say anything about carbatrol though. Help me please!!

DianaF · 12-08-2004, 01:30 PM

I am too am on Carbitrol. The only side effects I get from this medication is hot flashes. That is due to the Carbatrol being metabolized through the liver as my Premarin is, so it eats up the hormornes and my body reacts like I don't have any, hence the hot flashes.

I can go about 3 months without a seizure on this medication.

Mel in Ga · 12-10-2004, 10:06 PM

I am also on carbatrol,1600mg a day. The side effects that I get from it are lack of energy and as the other poster mentioned, I've noticed the hot flashes. My seizures are currently not under control though.

Mel

alittledeserted · 12-22-2004, 06:17 PM

Hey, I was on carbatrol for 3 years. It's side effects were pretty hefty: dizziness, being tired a lot, stopping breathing when in the heat for too long and being very slow. I am very active though, I'm still in highschool I suggest trileptol i had rolandic epilepsy but they changed into something more. my last seizure was in 2002 and it was a grand mal seizure that lasted an hour and 40 minutes. I changed after that and have been seizure free since then. Good luck!
~alittledeserted