pregnancy and seizure meds

Carol - posted on 11/11/2010

My daughter is now 31 and has had epilepsy since she was 16.She is also thinking of babies and we have had conflicting reports from various drs, (from UK) also from Dubai where she now lives and from drs here in Singapore where I live,some say she is ok to be on her epillum and some say no she has to come off it,which for her would be very worrying as she would have seizures.I would love to hear how others have coped with their medications during pregnancy.My daughter still has seizures even though she is on her anti convulsants so to be drug free for 9 months would be worrying me too.I had been reassured from her consultant in Dubai that its safer to keep her on her medications,but like you Im still rather worried.Its always good to hear from others going through the same worries.

Cindy - posted on 11/10/2010

So, what meds have been shown NOT to have side effects (or inconsequential ones) during pregnancy? I know Lamictal was the big one when I was trying to get pregnant.

Leora/shelly - posted on 11/10/2010

Im a 49yr old eplieptic since I was 10. Had 3 children 1st one they doubled the phenabarbital from 60mg to 120mg, he has a mild case of aspbeergers. 2nd child just 60 mg. phenabarbital, normal. 3rd child no meds had 1 seizure during pregnancy, has aspbergers. These meds didnt cause the AS I have nieces and nephews on both sides that have this AS as well. The brain is a wonderous organ Im just happy that it is understandable now as compared to 10-20yrs ago. I was a high-risk pregnancy 26, 34, 42 when I had my children.

Cindy - posted on 11/10/2010

I have been on depakote for 20 years, and the drs tried to put me on a more "favorable" med when I wanted to get pregnant, but none worked. I have had 3 beautiful boys (including a pair of identical twins). However, my oldest has Autism and Epilepsy. They more I have read, the more I worry about the Autism being caused by my seizure meds.
I was sent to Columbia University Medical Center with my pregnancy b/c it was classified as high risk, and there I met with one of the top teams in the country on Epilepsy and Pregnancy. I cannot give this team enough credit. It is ESSENTIAL that you establish a good, experienced team who knows what they are doing!

Debbie - posted on 11/09/2010

Thanks for all the helpful comments! When she went to the ObGyn last week, we discovered that she is 15 weeks pregnant!! The initial ultrasound looked good,but they scheduled a 3-D one for November 17th. They also kept her on Keppra, but took her off Zonegran. Keep those prayers coming, and I will keep you posted!

Heather - posted on 11/05/2010

lamictal and keppra..they r the 2 safest meds during pregnancy. i dont recommend breast feeding unless your taking keppra and lamictal.. and even then i suggest you only do it for 2 months maximum cause i ended up doing it for 3 months and my 2nd child(turns 2 in feb.) ended up being 2 months behind in some developmental areas b/c she was practically "drugged". you can also consider VNS..def talk to your doctor though

Julie - posted on 11/05/2010

First of all congrats to your daughter! I've had epilepsy since I was 24 and I'm 32 now. I have a 4 year old son who turns 4 in Jan and I'm due with my 2nd baby which is a girl due in Jan 2011. My son was born healthy and still is. My daughter is developing well and is where she needs to be. I'm on Lamictal and the generic form of Keppra. With my son I was on Lamictal. Keppra was added in 2008 after I had breakthrough seizures. With these 2 meds I've been seizure free. I would ask her neuro is she can be on Lamictal. Lamictal is one of the safer meds to be on while pregnant, I hope this helps and I apologize if this is too detailed.

Renee - posted on 11/04/2010

just wondering --my 23 year old daughter is also on keppra and zonegran and it has been working well for 5 years w/out seizures---how has your daughters experience been with these meds? and does she take name brand?

Heather - posted on 11/04/2010

DO NOT TAKE HER OFF THE MEDS!!!!! a seizure is more harmful to a child than medicine. i have 2 beautiful girls and they are fine. keppra and lamictal are the 2 safest drugs during pregnancy. what kind of birth control was she on? i was always told that the pill never works for epileptics...so they have me on mirena.

Trudy - posted on 11/03/2010

Hello i have had 3 girls and i am an epileptic since i was 11yrs old. I was told by my neurologist that it is more dangerous in pregnancy to l have seizures than being on the medication. My 3 girls are all normal and my nero told me to stay on my tablets as it is safer.

Carmen - posted on 11/03/2010

I was on Lamictal and Zonegran all through my pregnancy and had no difficulty what so ever. I was even 40 yrs old. Our daughter was born healthy, with no lingering issues. I never once worried about it.

Dawn - posted on 11/03/2010

hmm i was on valprate while and during my pregnancy i was fine no fits at all but my son is 9 now and has the development socially and emotanoally of a 3 year old he also has featal valprate syndrom due to my meds crossing over and giving him damage to the emosanal side of his brain , i would not have changed him for the world or not had him but just make sure that your daughter is well informed and has all the support and help from the docs that she needs i got no information or the big side effects that cauld occur , it would have prepaired me but not changed my mind as to have him or not , she is better on her eds than off as there is more of a risk fitting and killing herself and the baby than bieng safe and sound don't worie she will be fine , if you need me i am here . just tell her to enjoy being pregnant and to keep safe and well as that is all that matter at the moment from dawn

Kate - posted on 11/03/2010

im on tegretol retard 400mg at night and ive had 3 healthy daughters,they will keep an eye on her during her pregnancy and adjust her meds if need to do so

Charlene - posted on 11/03/2010

Well being a mother with 2 kids and an epileptic since I was 8 I can tell you 1 thing.. trust in your daughter's neuro(def. if she has a really good one) and her ob/gyn because I stayed on my seizure meds even though the side effects stated birth defects my son is healthy as ever, i didn't take my meds with my daughter(i was also 18 and thought i was smarter than everybody) and my daughter is disabled and has seizures, the best advice from one mother with epelipsy to another take your meds and don't discontinue anything or ween yourself off of anything with out the advise of a dr because it WILL be harmful to your baby. and ALWAYS take those Prenatal vitamins.

Wendy - posted on 11/03/2010

i think that both u and your daughter should go to see her g.p and have a chat with them and see what the g.p says i hope all goes well for u