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Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) & Epilepsy

Tue, 01/18/2005 - 11:04
I was diagnosed with Epilepsy (Complex Partial) in November with symptoms starting in December. I've also been having "ice-pick" headaches or Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) starting at the exact same time as the Epilepsy and Migraines (all on the left side). Does anyone else have CPH and epilepsy, and if so, which meds are you allowed to take? Right now I'm on Keppra 1000mg 2Xs a day, Nortriptyline 30mg 1X a day, and starting Lamictal at 25mg 2Xs per day (on starter pack to get off Keppra and use Lamictal). I'm not taking anything for CPH right now, my doc seems to think what I'm taking now will take the CPH away, but it hasn't and it's getting progressively worse. Please, HELP.

Comments

RE: Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) & Epilepsy

Submitted by jennamay on Tue, 2005-01-18 - 11:04

Here is a link you may find useful:

http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic67.htm

 

Best Wishes,

Epilepsy.com Staff

Here is a link you may find useful:

http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic67.htm

 

Best Wishes,

Epilepsy.com Staff

Re: Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania (CPH) & Epilepsy

Submitted by Sedz on Wed, 2006-01-25 - 00:59
Hi, My son who is almost 15 was diagnosed with complex partial epilepsy in June 2004 but had suffered from Cluster headaches since the age of 8. As soon as the epilepsy specialist saw that he was on Nortriptyline (Allegron) he took him off it as he said that it could actually provoke seizure activity. It was such a shame because it really did keep his clusters under control for four years. He is currently on Lamictal 200mg twice daily and we are looking at increasing slightly as he's not quite fully controlled yet. This could be because of his age, hormonally and due to constant growth spurts. He was on Topamax up until Nov last year which controlled his headaches really well but interfered so much with his thought process that it was affecting his school work. The lamictal so far has had no adverse side effects. Hope this helps a bit, I wouldn't be concerned about the Nortriptyline if your specialist has not mentioned it, I'm just relaying what our paediatric neuro said with regard to Jay's case. He also told him not to take any herbal/natural supplements that contained Evening Primrose Oil as this can also lower seizure threshold. Jo Sedz

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