It's an anti seizure medicine. I'm prescribed it to try to reduce the number of migraine/cluster/horrid headaches. Which it seems to be helping. But . . .
I have this terribly weak feeling in my arms and legs. Like I can barely hold my arms up long enough to comb my hair (on days I feel up to combing my hair).
Also anxiety/depression increased, which I know can be a side effect of Zonegran. But what about the muscle weakness? Anyone share this experience? Or is that just a new Lyme/TBD symptom for me?
Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :
Tabby,
I don't take Zonegran, but I have taken others in a similar class. Unexplained muscle weakness or pain is considered a serious side effect. I would call your doctor.
Posted by tabbytamer (Member # 3159) on :
Thanks, riversinger,
The receptionist at that docs office refuses to believe that any symptoms I have now could be from the zonegran as I started it in January.
Regardless, I insisted on making an appt. with the doc and will see him next Tues.
Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :
It is always hard for the doctors to believe that I have the reactions I do. I always seem to get the rare side effects. I've just learned to trust myself.
So what if you started in January? Sometimes it takes a while for a medication to cause trouble. Maybe it isn't the reason you are feeling weak, but it is always better to be sure.
I have been taking Topamax for over a year, for the same reason you are taking Zonegran. My blood tests have been off for a while now, and neither of my doctors could figure out why. I went back and looked at all my medications, and found that Topamax was known to cause the exact problem that I was having. Neither of my doctors realized it, until they looked it up in the PDR.
My dose has been cut back, and my blood tests are now normal. Make sure they really look into whether Zonegran could be a problem for you.
Posted by Ms. Myoclonus (Member # 6750) on :
I am on Zonegran for myoclonus due to Lyme. Overall, I have had few problems with it but everyone is different. The main side effect I have is it decreases my appetite so I rarely care to eat.
I also have had weakness in limbs, but I attribute that to being a Lyme symptom as it started pre-Zonegran.
Take care, Ms. Myo
Posted by Ms. Myoclonus (Member # 6750) on :
Just wanted to add that Zonegran interacts with several antibiotics such as Ketek and Biaxin so keep a careful eye on that. I believe that when taken together, these antibiotics increase the amount of Zonegran that stays in your body. (This would increase side effects, of course.) I have had to stay off these antibiotics for this reason.