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Pregnancy with taking meds
Mon, 11/06/2006 - 16:15Topic: Women With Epilepsy
Has anyone been off their meds during the pregnancy and risk a seizure? If so what were the effects on the fetus? Is it worth the risks of the effects that are possible while being on meds? I have gone up to 11 months seizure free without meds. Has anyone taken that risk?
Comments
Re: Re: Pregnancy with taking meds
Submitted by newmommy on Sat, 2006-12-02 - 23:39
Just had a beautiful girl on 200 mg of Lamical a day. I began my pre-natals with the highest amount of folic acid legally allowed, one month before conception. I had to come off of my klonopin. Ironically enough, I had no siezures during my pregnancy, but have had several since my delivery. My variations in hormone levels from month to month generates my siezures. I lost alot of blood from the delivery of my child and that cause me some siezures, but my baby has a beautiful spine and no cleft palate. I'm keeping an eye on her crawling and walking, but so far so good. Lamictal has good results. If you can only take 100 mg a day, that would be even better. When your pregnant, your body forces you to relax and you have a calm, sleepy feeling come over you. I believe it was those hormones that keep my siezures under control during that time. Hope that helped. Remember, start of prenatals and Folic Acid at least six weeks prior to conception. If your OBGYN is not familiar with Lamical or High Risk pregnancies, get rid of him. Make sure you get has many sonograms as you can. It doesn't hurt the baby and reasures your fears. My baby looked like a completely formed person with a beautiful spine and no cleft palate at 16 weeks. And sucking her thumb. Just sixteen weeks. It's amazing. Also, make sure your with an OBGYN office that has alot of medical equipment. Not just one piece that looks ancient. Don't worry about hurting your doctor's feelings, just say good by and do what's best for your baby. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!
Re: Re: Re: Pregnancy with taking meds
Submitted by Winston on Thu, 2006-12-28 - 08:43
Hi! You had mentioned that you were on the highest dose of Folic Acid legally allowed. What is that? I'm currently taking 4mg/day (my neuro increased it from 2mg/day after my husband and I told him that we want to start to think about a pregnancy within the next year).
I'm also struggling with the question as to whether to stay on meds or try going off for the pregnancy. I've tried Lamictal but that didn't work for me. I'm also been on Topomax and Trileptal and no luck. I'm currently on Zonegran. It's a fairly low dose right now but I haven't seen the best things written about it regarding pregnancy, although there hasn't been tons of research done on it regarding pregnancy (not good too I guess....). My neuro said that it was up to me as to what to do. I have simple partial seizures 99% of the time which I do not think would cause any harm to the baby but I'm afraid that if I went off meds it could progress to something more physically dangerous. Any advice?
Thanks!
Re: Pregnancy with taking meds
Submitted by mbwoolley on Sat, 2006-12-02 - 20:39
I have not gotten pregnant yet, but I am planning to soon. I have been working closely with my neurologist who has recommended taking as much folic acid as I can. He told me that it is much safer to take meds during pregnancy than to have a seizure.