Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group

I never considered the medication could be related to gaining weight. Maybe it is listed on the side effects, but I never really paid a lot of attention to them since I have been on the same medication for a few years.

I also feel I have a healthy diet and get enough exercise walking where I need to go. Most of the places I go are within 20-30 minutes from where I live and I don't feel like waiting for the bus.

Thanks for the info. I will talk to my doctor about it the next time I see him.

I have a hunch that Lamictal - what I take - has a similar effect. My blood pressure is also high but I take something for it. You're not alone with this.

Graeme,
You are definitely correct about the side effect of weight gain. Many of the drugs cause weight gain which is beyond the persons control to loose themselves even with diet and exercise. What i've learned from my experience and from talking to others is that all we can do is help prevent from gaining more and help maintain where we are. I am not familiar with Epilim, but i was on Depakote for many years and gained a significant amount of weight (50lbs). Could not lose it on any diet or reasonable/sensible food plan. Couldn't even do it to fit into my wedding gown.

Anyway, my doctor switched me to Topamx, which has the side effect of weight LOSS. Between GOING OFF of the weight-gaining depakote and GOING ON the weight-losing Topamax i lost 45lbs. We did the overall medication switch very slow so that it would minimize side effects and it took 9months to do the switch. Now, of course, Graeme, Topamax is the correct drug for my type of seizures and problems. So, i don't know if this is even a drug that would even be a consideration for you..possibly not. But to reiterate....MOST drugs DO have the side effect of weight gain. But now that they are taking notice they may be able to help you medically and not just brush it aside. My doctor took action when my weight balooned, maybe yours will too somehow.

Just remember not to "beat yourself up" over your weight, it is the drugs making it not come off and making the scale go up and up. The drugs make it harder to lose and also harder to maintain the current weight. But giving up on eating right and keeping active is not the answer either. Keep up the good work and good attitude.

Yes, I went on Topamax also a few years ago and boy did I lose weight. I still have not gained it back and do not have to diet. It seems to keep me from getting hungry too. I use to kid around with my doctor about how they should use this med as a diet pill maybe it has some of the diet pill part in it who knows? It has worked well for me with the seizures also. Cindy

Most of the time when I have a seizure people think I having a heart attack or stroke, that that people are thinking anyway with you till you go to the hospital. Try Topamax or Vimpat. or both.

On Wednesday in the British press a newspaper commented on a overweight man weighing 70 stone. On national radio rhere was a discussion about providing NHS tratment in a hospital. It would take a helicopter to air lift him.

I rang BBC Radio 2 to explain how epileptic medications cause weight gain and the effects on health.

To listen to the program on your browser key in
Jeremy vine bbc radio 2, click on schedule and goto 21 October - Britains fattest man.
His show starts at 12:00 and click on i> days to listen.
On the iplayer the story is 1hour 30minutes approximately into the show so use the slider to guide you into his show.

I appear with my comments within the last 10 minutes read out by Jeremy. If you have time please listen and your comments would be appreciated.

I'm on lamictal with no weight gain. It has given me complete control over my tonic clonic (big?) seizures at 200mg per day, but not my myoclonic jerks.

I had clobozam in addition to the Lamictal but then I had big seizures instead of jerks!!! So I went off and just stuck to raising my Lamictal.

I suggested Epilim and they agreed it could prevent both types of seizure, but because of the increased weight gain and birth defects I should stay on Lamictal.

If Epilim is causing severe weight gain and not even controlling your seizures, what is the point of staying on it?

My son was on carbamazepine for a long time 1600mgs per day his weight became out of control he went up to 18 stones. He is now having the carbamazepine reduced and having zonisomide introduced ,he is still on 600mgs of carbamazepine per day but he has lost loads of weight.

I went from Dilantin to Lamictal and I never thought my weight gain could have been my medication. I just assumed because I have no thyroid. Maybe I should read my medications.

I have been taking lamictal for as long as I can remember, 250mgs.2 times a day. I also take keppra twice a day. My Dr. just put me on Vimpat. I don't know much about it. I've been on it for almost a week now. I guess it's working ok. Does anyone have anything to say about Vimpat?