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Allergic to AED's
Mon, 12/06/2004 - 07:08Topic: Medication Issues
Many of you have said that you are allergic to one or more AED's. How do you know that you are having an allergic reaction?If your seizure activity increases, how do you know that you are not just getting too much of a particular drug instead of too little?
Comments
RE: Allergic to AED's
Submitted by BillM on Sun, 2004-12-05 - 17:08
It depends on the medication, but the "too much"/"too little" question can usually be checked... and should be monitored... by blood-level tests on a regular basis (e.g. every 6 months while seizures are controlled). I can't speak to the allergy phenomenon, since I've not been allergic to any of the several, over the years, that I've used that also worked for me.
RE: Allergic to AED's
Submitted by Belinda on Mon, 2004-12-06 - 07:08
I had the same reaction to all the meds I became allergic to.First it was Depakote I started scratching myself raw.Than Lamictal again it starrted happening but this stime I was at when started itching like crazy and didn't stop itching for 7 months that's how long it took for the drug get out of my system.Than Keppra at 1500MG I became allergic scratching myself raw again.The last one was Gabitril itching again.I never get a rash Ijust itch like crazy. Belinda
RE: Allergic to AED's
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Sun, 2004-12-05 - 16:54
I'm not sure who you're asking, but my answer is side effects. I wouldn't necessarily say that seizure activity increases when one is allergic to their prescribed AED. Rather, severe side effects occur (hives, abnormalities in WBC count...that kind of thing). Sometimes, the severe side effects occur after you've taken the AED for years.
I took Dilantin for 3 years, and got drug-induced lupus (thankfully, a reversable effect!). I also took Depakote for 3 years, and then had a severe reaction with my WBC count and had to be taken off immediately. For the last 5 years, I've been taking phenobarb, and am now facing more severe reactions. Now, I don't know if that means that I'm "allergic" to these meds or if I've just taken them too long. Either way, I won't go BACK on them!
I hope that I've answered your question...take care!
Heather :)
I'm not sure who you're asking, but my answer is side effects. I wouldn't necessarily say that seizure activity increases when one is allergic to their prescribed AED. Rather, severe side effects occur (hives, abnormalities in WBC count...that kind of thing). Sometimes, the severe side effects occur after you've taken the AED for years.
I took Dilantin for 3 years, and got drug-induced lupus (thankfully, a reversable effect!). I also took Depakote for 3 years, and then had a severe reaction with my WBC count and had to be taken off immediately. For the last 5 years, I've been taking phenobarb, and am now facing more severe reactions. Now, I don't know if that means that I'm "allergic" to these meds or if I've just taken them too long. Either way, I won't go BACK on them!
I hope that I've answered your question...take care!
Heather :)