Central YMCA's Chief Executive Rosi Prescott on Sky News

its a shame that she's right

My neurologist had to change my meds a couple times before I got the right ones, I finally got put on Keppra, Lamictal and topamax and they seem to work. I have clonipin to help with anxiety. I pretty much told her what I wanted and told her that I wanted the ones with the least side effects.

No, not seeing a shrink, but have been considering it….but figuring out how I would get there. A letter came in the mail yesterday telling me I had to send in my license. GGRR! I haven't been driving anyway, but still….I hate to part with my license.My doc just upped my device implanted in my chest..which not only helps with seizures, but also with depression. So…I may see what happens with it. I just had the surgery in December, so it's still all fairly new to me…

@secretagentmandy Oh dear, those thoughts are very very scary. Are you seeing a Shrink?

Thanks for posting this. I just had the same thing happen. I don't think it's the tegretol though. I've been on it for years….but I've been having "those" thoughts as well and like you, I'm usually a happy person. I told my neurologist about it, but the only thing he did was turn up my Vagus Nerve Stimulator. It's apparently supposed to help with depression and such. I really haven't noticed much of a difference. This device is still kinda new though..so we'll see what happens..

Thank you for your posting and especially your posting on patient advocacy! It takes a lot of guts to share your personal story with people from all parts of the world. I am currently undiagnosed and have spent 9 months seeking help from various doctors. Some of which felt I had psycho-seudo seizures and needed mental help despite abnormal EEG test results. I've had a similar experience but with Keppra instead of Tegretol. If you're not comfortable, stand your ground and get another opinion.

@Missteaplease oh gosh! That is awful! Isn't it strange how we are all so very very different?

@Missteaplease Hi! I have thought about it SO much. I have never experienced anything like this before. Never ever. It's not typical for my condition. I do have mood problems, but not like this. Ive decided not to go back to him or go back on the tegretol. Have talked to all my doctors and other peeps in the biz. Strange thing is – I am doing so well now just on sodium valporate and my gluten free diet! I feel great!

I would seriously think carefully before refusing to up the dosage, It does sound like very typical under-dosed TLE behavior, so I'm not surprised he wanted you to double the dose. However if you have not ever experienced seizures like this before then perhaps confronting your neuro about that would be the most appropriate. The drug may have exacerbated your condition. But an under dosage could be letting you see what you're epilepsy has become (it gets worse with age).

This is exactly what happens to me every few days when I'm NOT on epilepsy meds!

@Epileptics1 Hi! The normal 'to be expected' side effects wore off after approx 5 days. That were fine and totally manageable. Although what started happening around day 8 – wasn't manageable at all. There is a very well known interaction between Tegretol and Sodium Valporate (Epilim, in Aussie land), that I was advised about. MIMS gives the combo a sercurity rating of 4/5. Which is high! For multipul reasons, I wont be going back on it. Or going back to that Neuro! Thanks 4 your comment!

Hey i'm a new viewer I feel for you. i used to take Tegretol and i used to get quite a few side effect, But i would suggest taking it for your Anxiety. Most of the time the side effects ware off and your came be fine with the drug its the same with any AED but you just have to take that chance.

@eternity828 Weird, huh! I am glad I was lucky enough to be able to see it for what it was, and not buy in to it as the truth. Just side effects. Awful side effects! Hope your doing well!

you know ,, after i stopped depakine i got these strange suicidal ideas .. without reason !! im the last person who think of killing him self in this world n_n .
its like someone talking to me ( im an optimistic guy and it was like.. i was possessed by pessimistic spirit )

My mother said the only side effects she recalled me seeing from Tegretol was sleepiness/drowsiness. But were i in your shoes i wouldnt be taking any meds that made me feel the way youre describing. Bear in mind though im not a big fan of pills in general.

@stillhippie Thats exactly what I feel like – a science experiment. I was initally a little worried about drug pushing when I first saw him (as he conducts lots of medication, government trials). Unfortunatly – my worst fears have come true. Im truley dissapointed. I guess you never expect this type of thing would happen to yourself. But it has! Hope your having a nice weekend!

@a7trees Aww thanks. It's really hard. Luckily I am feeling better today. Hopeless is exactly the word to discribe it. I had high hopes for this Neuro. It started off well. I feel now that I wont return to him, and – I will cancel my EEG and sleep study coming up at the beginning of March. Im seeing my Shrink on Tuesday. See what she has to say.

OMG. I wish I could talk to you side by side and cheer you up…I completely understand how you feel.
I had the same situation as you and I felt really hopeless and even had a suicidal thoughts too. I was pretty anxious about seeing him, I felt it wasn't worse seeing him anymore after that so I talked to my GP to refer another Neuro.
Doctors shouldn't treat patients like your Neuro did to you. I can feel your pain…

I once wondered why governments ban using convicted murderers in prison for testing various drugs on human. Now I know why. They don't allow it because they can always use innocent pleasant young women like you to do just that AND seeing its effects on how one would handle the actual daily life of a normal person as well. With prisoners the strange lives they conduct would introduce too much incertainty in the results. I don't think anybody should be allowed to put you through this. Sleep well:)