Epelepsy medications....Lemectal & Depekene?!

Epelepsy medications....Lemectal & Depekene?

I am a 37 year old female.

Have been taking Depeken, 250mg every day since I was 12 years old. Now pregnant at 37 years old i switched to Lamectal 250mg.

The only symptom i could tell on depeken was i had a lot of trouble growing my fingernails. On Lamectal i would constantly loose my hearing everyday for a few hours. I also was losing concentration and could not focus on conversations. I would always forget were i was driving. i was also very depressed.

I now switched back to depekene and i am a little better now.

Question: Was it the Lamectal making me feel that way, because someone told me that i am having symptoms of MS. i have several of the MS sysptoms.

Are there better epelepsy medications out there, more modern. I was also told that all epelepsy medications mess with your hearing over many years of use.

I am on Depakote (same as Depakene) right now currently switching to Lamictal. As far as I know, the hearing thing is NOT a side effect of the Lamictal, nor is the depression. However, from what I understand all epilepsy medications can cause side effects similar to ADD/ADHD (the memory loss, trouble concentrating, etc.) when taken over long periods of time. As far as more modern medications, Lamictal is one of the newest, and one of the best (least side effects) according to my neurologist. If I were you, I'd go talk to your Neuro about all of this, though, and maybe talk to her about testing for MS. ESPECIALLY if you are having other symptoms. Good luck.

Edit: I would also like to mention that I was on Dilantin for two years before being on Depakote, and I had nothing but problems. Dilantin is one of the worst for side effects (check the internet and ask your neurologist). I've had virtually no side effects with the Depakote, and the only reason I am switching is due to the possible side effects on pregnancy.