EPILEPSY & ADHD anybody?

[WhattodoAboutSomething]

Hope you don't mind me posting here for traffic!

I am looking to hear about experiences from those who have both epilepsy and ADHD, or if there is anybody you know who navigates both. Do you take ADHD medication while on epilepsy medications, and how easy was it for you to get ADHD diagnosed with both conditions overlapping?

Any HCPs on here, I would also love to hear from.

Thank you all.

My DD1 who is 25 has AuDHD. She was diagnosed, aged 21, while at university. Last October she had a seizure and has since been diagnosed with epilepsy. She was already taking Elvanse daily for her ADHD when she developed epilepsy. She was told that she did not need to stop her ADHD meds. She did find that the first anti-seizure medication she was prescribed caused anxiety (which is always near the surface for those with AuDHD) and she is now transitioning to a new anti-seizure drug.
In the general population, about 1% have epilepsy. That rises to about 20% of neurodivergent people so clinicians are well used to seeing people who have both.

Thank you for replying. I hope your dd's changing of her meds goes well. My dc is AuADHD, and it has caused me so much worrying!

It has been a ordeal for me to find the right balance of medication to control the epilepsy, and it is still being tweaked. It has came to light that I most likely have ADHD too (seeing traits from dc), and I am considering getting it formally diagnosed. I am in my late 30s, so it has all been a bit of a eye opener to say the least.
I told my neurologist, and I was a little upset that he dismissed it, as he is understandably more interested in the epilepsy side of things. I am wondering if adhd is preventing me getting my epilepsy fully under control, or causing my epilepsy doses to be higher as a result iyswim.
May I ask what the seizure medication was that was causing your dd anxiety?

I am currently taking Lamotrigine and Brivaracetam, and feeling more anxious than used to. I don't know if this is psychological though, or a result of dcs!

I'm on Lamotrigine and certain 'brands' of it give me severe anxiety.

I had to tell my pharmacist not to prescribe a certain one anymore as it was really affecting my mental health.

I strongly believe I have ADHD also.

I have just changed pharmacist as my local one was really poor. Funnily enough I have just picked up my meds today, and I have noticed that they gave me a different brand; the brand I have been on for a long time were Lamictal.
My neurologist hasn't said anything about brands or if it is okay to change. He doesn't tell me much to he honest!

Do you think you'll seek a diagnosis? My mind feels so overloaded I really do not know where to begin. I think I will write down a list of things I need addressed for my appointment next month.

Ah my pharmacy are always changing it and I am pretty sure my neurologist said be wary of doing this. I think there's a weird side effect that appears as a rash which you have to go straight to A&E for.

They have just given me Lamotrigine Rudipharm.

I'm in two minds! On one hand I feel like there is no point to me actually knowing for sure, but on the other I want to 😅