What are possible causes of sudden confusion?

Question

About 90 minutes ago I was due to take my dose of Epilim. All of a sudden I got really confused, disorientated, couldn't get words out of my mouth & felt really spaced out. Then it was like I went on auto-pilot because I accidently took a different medication (Fluoxetine) and double the dose that I usually take.

What could cause this? I quite often get confused but I thought it was normal, and it's never caused me to potentially harm myself before!

Mags · Accepted Answer

Epilim acts upon GABA a neurotransmitter which has a role in "nerve-calming" as it controls the electrical impulses which prevent the brain from being over-stimulated (resulting in seizures) It is used to treat both epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Included in the side effects can be drowsiness, confusion, and can effect the liver, pancreas or blood cells.  Are you having regular blood tests to monitor those functions?

Since you experiences this confusion, have you notified your physician?  I think it is time to have a discussion about the confusion you experienced as it can, indeed, become life threatening.  You already know that it is not something you can "snap out of" because you were unable to do so.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000936.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_5454344_side-effects-epilim.html

You might also want to take a look at the sites below, perhaps you can share your experience to help others be aware:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Epilepsy/Epilim--horrible-stuff/show/537525
http://www.patientsville.com/medication/epilim_side_effects.htm

The Epilim fact sheet
http://www.sanofi-aventis.com.au/products/nzl_ds_epilimOral.pdf

Medications which act on the brain can have powerful and sometimes unexpected results. It is good that you were not driving and you are fortunate that the effects were not worse than they were.

What are possible causes of sudden confusion?

1 Answer