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how do you "tolerate" drug side effects and other random venting

Tue, 05/17/2005 - 12:19
Now I've read( but don't believe it) that the side effects of AED's are only "short-lasting"  and should diminish within weeks or months. but the common stuff that people get when they start them..the dizziness, the fatigue, the blurred vision, that kind of stuff..how on earth are u supposed 2 deal with this stuff, even if it don't supposedly last long...? i don't know that I can..I know 4 sure there are people on here that are very active on here, i want to know how they dealt with this stuff. And how is a competitive endurance athlete supposed to "tolerate" feeling like crap for weeks or possibly months on end...? I am not "stopping" with my lifestyle, i ain't giving up my running, it makes me happy and trim LOL, and I feel the need to compete. I don't know how on earth people in my shoes faced with this actually can be physically able to maintain the athleticness they had before when they miss workouts here and there because of just not feeling well sometimes. I hear people say that epilepsy will only stop u if i let it...but when you are stumbling around like an Irishman on St. Paddy's day and feel like everything is spinning and twitching here and tingling there, it obviously DOES stop you because it's not really physically possible to take a 15 mile run in that state. When your dream your entire life is to be an Olympian, and your brain is preventing that, your life will become a living hell. And honestly, right now, my life IS a living hell and it's because of this defective mass sitting in my head. that made me feel somewhat better LOL.

Comments

RE: how do you "tolerate" drug side effects and other random ven

Submitted by Cedar on Wed, 2005-05-18 - 15:55
good attitude to not give up your life. But be gentle right now things will be hard at times but do yourself a favor. Take care of your needs at this time. The side affects for us all will be different. Some feel the fatigue most others feel other things more than say fatigue. These meds are not fun to deal with. I have been way more than I like and am now getting to the point of trying every Natural alternative that I know of to helpwith stress, anxiety andthe seizures. They are out there.I have had epilepsy for 36 years. Yes it is hard and easier at other times. I wished I had had your attitude way back. But know that it will get easier.

RE: how do you "tolerate" drug side effects and other random ven

Submitted by mommy2kyra on Wed, 2005-05-18 - 16:31

I wholeheartedly agree with angel. Meds always have side effects..no matter if it's been 2 days or 20 years. Just one year on Dilantin caused my gums to recede big time. Side effects are most intense when you first start the med, add meds, or switch to others. That fatigue and grogginess can seem so overwhelming, but it gets better. Once your body adjusts to the med/s, the feelings lighten up day by day. You're still tired, but it's more manageable. For me, I've always taken a couple of weeks to adjust. But that adjustment period is he!!

I'm not an athlete, but I am a stay-at home mom of 2 (like an athlete :), you can do it! Nap whenever you can, and keep your eye out for the "rare" side effects. Some side effects may also be avoided. For instance, I used to take Depakene (a cheaper form of Depakote) when I was uninsured. Depakene caused my throat and chest to burn (bad!!), because it lacked some coating. When I got insurance, I switched to Depakote and what a wonderful difference!

It's a tough period of adjustment, I know, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Heather :)

I wholeheartedly agree with angel. Meds always have side effects..no matter if it's been 2 days or 20 years. Just one year on Dilantin caused my gums to recede big time. Side effects are most intense when you first start the med, add meds, or switch to others. That fatigue and grogginess can seem so overwhelming, but it gets better. Once your body adjusts to the med/s, the feelings lighten up day by day. You're still tired, but it's more manageable. For me, I've always taken a couple of weeks to adjust. But that adjustment period is he!!

I'm not an athlete, but I am a stay-at home mom of 2 (like an athlete :), you can do it! Nap whenever you can, and keep your eye out for the "rare" side effects. Some side effects may also be avoided. For instance, I used to take Depakene (a cheaper form of Depakote) when I was uninsured. Depakene caused my throat and chest to burn (bad!!), because it lacked some coating. When I got insurance, I switched to Depakote and what a wonderful difference!

It's a tough period of adjustment, I know, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Heather :)

RE: RE: how do you "tolerate" drug side effects and other random

Submitted by westcoast on Thu, 2005-05-19 - 08:43
Cathy - Pleased to hear about your tri success. I've done a couple of half Ironman distance races and many shorter races. I decided a long time ago that having E wasn't going to stop me. My szs probably come from a near fatal bike accident years ago. Hope you are always wearing a helmet. I've also found that workouts almost always help w/ the side effects. Doc's just pushed my Lamictal dose from 425 to 600 in couple of weeks and wants to keep going til I can't stand it. How appealing but my szs aren't controlled so dealing w/ side effects sounds better than a videoEEG, WADA test and possible surgery. Cheering for you. Feel free to email me if you want "[email protected]". I"m 48 and live in the Sacramento CA area. Jim

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