anticonvulsant?

[Guest guest]

Hello; I've just joined.

 

I'm 31. Since 14, I've been taking various seizure-controlling

medicines. Depakote; dilantin; lamictal; others & combinations. My

last big seizure was in December of last year. I've always wanted to

get off of any anticonvulsant medicine and still have pretty good

control. The Depakote I take now does a good job -- aside from side

effects. Weight gain; skin rash; I am always confused; and I'm just

plain tired of taking it. For the last year or so, I seem to be

having trouble with my thinking and, although I don't like to mention

it, I've been getting mental health treatment for a few months.

 

I've been told that the rash is enough of a reason to notify the

doctor and request a change, but that hasn't gotten anywhere. Nobody

wants to change because "it's working". I was especially disappointed

when I learned that the Depakote is also used as a psychiatric

medicine; that should have been pointed out to me in the beginning

and I don't feel the need to take any such medicine. I believe the

Depakote to be causing troubles and slowing me down.

 

I keep asking many people for alternatives. Nobody seems to want to

give me information about an anticonvulsant that is not also used for

psychiatric patients; perhaps there isn't one. Yet, I don't want any

medicine; I have been trying to investigate natural remedies.

 

I have been learning about "Bacopa". From what I have seen, this

sounded great. 'Studies have shown that Bacopa supports learning and

memory in humans. In animal models, Bacopa provides antioxidant

protection for critical memory centers and helps to reduce the

effects of stress on the brain. Traditional application suggests that

Bacopa has a direct effect on improving brain functions, increasing

concentration, and in promoting memory functions. Bacosides play a

protective role in the synaptic functions of the nerves in the

hippocampus, the seat of memory. Nerve impulses are transmitted

across the synapses and their degeneration is believed to contribute

to impaired memory and cognition. Bacopa monniera is an Ayurvedic

medicine, clinically used for memory enhancing, epilepsy, insomnia

and as a mild sedative.'

 

I have lots of trouble with my memory. When I was 16, I had surgery

to try and help with a malformation in my brain (which was in the

language and memory area).

 

Doctors have no interest in trying to help me with my non-medicinal

interest and, I suppose, they believe that I'm just trying to harm

myself. Does anybody else here have seizures, who is using Bacopa or

some other herb? Can someone tell me of any other herbs that could

help with seizure control? I very-much would like to be off of the

Depakote; any help would be very much appreciated.

 

Thanks for your time. - Brian