epilepsy and AS-physical and emotional energy

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I had my epilepsy medicine increased and probably will have it increased again in another week. I take Lamictal and even though I take it for seizures, there are people who take it for bibolar or similar things.

The problem is that it is making it much harder to deal with AS. I am finding it harder to deal with being around people because it takes so much physical/emotional energy to act NT enough to keep my job. I no longer have the physical energy and feel like I have less emotional energy.
This question has nothing to do with Lamictal specifically.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do when all of a sudden you no longer have the physical energy that was supporting the emotional energy? All of a sudden the energy I had was lessened. I no longer have enough when before I had enough physical and emotional energy to survive the day.

I'm so tired and having increased a medicine makes me physically more tired. Which somehow makes it harder to deal with things needing emotional energy.

I know there are topics I need to and want to reply to. I'll keep checking, but I'm so tired now that it will have to wait.

What about taking short breaks between stimulating activities, in which you'll be alone to unwind?

If you do think the Lamictal may be contributing to the physical lack of energy, can you talk to your neurologist about this? Doe he/she know you have AS by the way?

I usually have breaks between work and whatever other activity and use them to come home to sleep, which gives me the ability to be able to socialize online. I usually don't have anything after work (I work 8:30 to 12:15) but when I do, I need a coping skill. But some days I can't avoid having something I have to do after work.

I don't go to my neurologist anymore. I just go to my family doctor. He said a neurologist will do one of three things: increase medicine, add to it, or change it. I would have to pay for a neurologist out of pocket so will save that for emergencies that my family doctor can't do. I only have a $5 co-pay for him.

But I'll work on finding some type of break when I don't have the afternoon free. Even if it's hiding in the bathroom at work for a few minutes a few times. Very short frequent breaks don't work as well as one long one but might help anyway. Thanks.

Well, when I got Lamictal, plus my Keppra, which I've been taking a LONG time, I did feel very tired. Usually, I would nap two hours in the afternoons and be asleep by nine thirty, when I started to take both, although it turned out I had sleep apnea, and the Lamictal was making me need more sleep.

When I feel tired, I just usually stay by myself, turn off all my lights, and stay awake in the dark.

Once upon a time I was on 800mg of Seroquil and 900mg of Depakote a day... I was not diagnosed as Epileptic at the time. I think the quack doc prescribed the Depakote because he was afraid I may have rage issue (I've never had any rage issues). He thought I was bipolar. OMFG I was sleepy 24/7. It was horrible. I was weened off both once I get into see a doctor with a brain. It took about 5 months. I'm currently on a very small dose of Klonopin and I'm not tired at all from it.

I may have to start taking seizure meds again soon though. It depends on the EEG results. I'm scared about the sleepyness issues.

I know my response doesn't really help your situation. But I do understand what you're going through.

I once had a doctor tell me I am susceptible to side effects, meaning more than other people are. I had another one tell me I am not a typical patient.

I'm very blessed that I don't get the rash from Lamictal that I've read about. A bit frustrated now but still blessed.

How do you think those of us on the spectrum react to medicines compared to NTs? If you compare the doses needed, do you think we need less? Do you think we get more side effects? Almost all medicines that I've tried worked for a short time and then I became sort of immune to them and it was like my body forgot the medicine was there.