What Causes Restlessness When Taking Pregabalin For Epilepsy?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 9 Jan 2014 Answered on

Sat, 1 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Doctor, Recently pregabalin was added, while the seizures at first went down now things are getting worse. I am also getting very little sleep due the seizures. I also feel that this drug is making me restless and causing me to act out of character. Are these things common with pregablin?

Answered by Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Need evaluation... Detailed Answer: I understand your concern. First of let me tell you that there are many types of epilepsy and in a given patient, the treating neurologist or epilepsy specialist need to establish the cause. This can be done by simple tests called long term EEG (A test where electrodes are put in the surface of the scalp and recording be done. A long term EEG, further will help, as you may get a seizure in the record and this will clinch the diagnosis.) As of now you are on multiple medications and the symptoms you have listed could be a result of the side- effects by a combination of all these drugs rather than pregabaline alone. I advise you to get evaluated in an epilepsy care centre that will help you through a detailed evaluation and optimization of medications which will not only make you seizure free but also minimize the side effects. Let me know if you need any help Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (19 hours later)

Hi Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Dash, I am sorry I didn't provide any history, I am already in the hands of an epilepsy specialist at center. At the centre I had a video eeg for about 7 day during this time they took me off all my meds. The epilepsy doctor has to keep trying new med. about every 3 to 6 months to keep thing under control. Yet the seizures have yet to be controlled, I still have nightly seizures. The epilepsy doctor wants to look into surgery want do you think?

Answered by Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Thanks Detailed Answer: I understand your concern You possibly have both epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. Generally people with a combination will be more difficult to deal than people with single type of events. I feel that you need re-evaluation including VEEG monitoring to estimate if the major problem is true seizure or non- epileptic seizures. You may benefit with intracranial monitoring if the burden of true seizures are more. Thanks Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (22 minutes later)

How would you proposal the reevaluate situation?

Answered by Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Please visit another comprehensive epilepsy center Detailed Answer: Please visit another comprehensive epilepsy center. They will do the needful

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (19 hours later)

Are you an epilespy Specialist?

Answered by Dr. Gopal Krishna Dash (38 hours later)

Brief Answer: yes Detailed Answer: yes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar