It's Important to Keep Your Mind on Medication Side Effects

Different medications have different physical and mental side effects. It is important to be educated about possible symptoms and side effects when being put on a new medication, and any medication that is already prescribed.

The importance of medication education

Even if you may be feeling desperate to have seizures under more control, remember how important the body and mind are. Knowing the side effects, long-term outcomes, as well as symptoms that mean it does not agree with the body, signs of toxicity, and overdosage is extremely important.

Early lessons in advocacy

I do not remember everything that happened when I was young, but I do remember adolescent and adult points of time when my levels were too high, causing toxicity. Phenobarbital helps, yet I have been thankful for how I can tell levels are rising.

As a young adult, I discovered the warning signs ahead of time. I wanted to understand the side effects of medication from my first neurologist. I was six years old (a pretty young age), but the sooner side effects are learned, the better it is. My mom told me to speak up when I was little if I was feeling certain things with medications I took back then.

Communicating with your doctor

Sometimes doctors try multiple treatments before feeling that surgery can help. Trileptal caused me dizziness and unawareness, and it mentally affected me. After just about a year I had to be taken off before toxicity took place because I told my doctor how I felt in depth. If you are not telling a doctor how you feel, it is useless, and sometimes you never know what will happen next. It is very important to be honest with your doctor about both medicines and seizures and how you feel.

The risks of toxicity and dosage changes

Before my dosage of Lamictal was lowered, it caused toxicity in 2008. Medication can cause that unexpectedly, or if extra is taken, which should be avoided. If you are thinking of taking extra or changing your dosage, it's important to talk to your doctor. Check in on both the emotional aspect of wanting this change and how you physically feel.

Once, another one of my medications was increased and toxicity took place then as well. All I remember is seeing a nurse practitioner at seven o'clock at night and sitting at dinner around the corner waiting to be called when a room was put together for me.

Mental and emotional side effects

Lamictal caused me to have a fixation with three specific people and I only wanted to speak to them. I happened to be lucky to have a private room in the emergency room (ER) and the nurse was helping me as much as possible. A friend, I was consistently thinking of, answered the phone and calmed me down a little.

Vimpat also affected me mentally and physically on the last day I was on it. An oxygen mask was put on me and I think I heard something about heart failure being able to take place. Other than that, I remember falling asleep as I was being rolled through a hospital hallway.

When I was younger I was on a medication Depakote, and crying because of being in the hospital again.

Taking charge of your health journey

Just remember it is important to care for yourself and educate yourself about medications you are taking for your safety.

Make sure the epileptologist or neurologist that you are seeing is a good fit for you as well. Ask questions, get education about medications and side effects. Knowledge is power, learn all you can.