Do seizure meds tend to produce side effects similar to ADD, or worsen them?
Specifically, I take Depakote ER (1500mg/day) and Trileptal (2400mg/day). I have been diagnosed with ADD-PI several times, a bit of a poster-child for it in fact, though I can't help but wonder if it is the medicine that creates many of the problems I have. (Trouble focusing, Problems with organization and detail, thought "static", etc.)
I've been on a large amount of meds all my life so I have no way to compare how I feel now to feeling "normal".
Any knowledge on this is appreciated. As always TIA!
Last edited by SherpaDerp; 08-20-2012 at 02:21 PM.
Re: Do seizure meds tend to produce side effects similar to ADD, or worsen them?
I've experienced a slowing of thought processes over the years of being on AEDs. I find my brain tends to switch gears very slowly. If something has my attention and I am suddenly interrupted, it takes my brain several long seconds to process that information and then create a response to it. I also have a tendency to suddenly stop talking mid sentence and find myself suddenly not knowing what I was saying. I have never been diagnosed with ADD, however, and these are symptoms I have never experienced until the last several years. I am currently taking trileptal, but I'm in the process of switching to lamictal and weaning off the trileptal.
I will say that I mentioned my poor concentration issue to my neurologist, and she said that it could be my brain having little mini seizures, sort of like it's shorting out periodically. We haven't actually gotten to the bottom of it though. We're dealing with some more pressing issues at the moment.
Re: Do seizure meds tend to produce side effects similar to ADD, or worsen them?
I've experienced a slowing of thought processes over the years of being on AEDs. I find my brain tends to switch gears very slowly. If something has my attention and I am suddenly interrupted, it takes my brain several long seconds to process that information and then create a response to it. I also have a tendency to suddenly stop talking mid sentence and find myself suddenly not knowing what I was saying. I have never been diagnosed with ADD, however, and these are symptoms I have never experienced until the last several years. I am currently taking trileptal, but I'm in the process of switching to lamictal and weaning off the trileptal.
I will say that I mentioned my poor concentration issue to my neurologist, and she said that it could be my brain having little mini seizures, sort of like it's shorting out periodically. We haven't actually gotten to the bottom of it though. We're dealing with some more pressing issues at the moment.
