Depakote?? Epilepsy

[FLATHEAD]

Anyone ever hear of this medication? The reason I ask is a family member has been diognosed with epilepsy, and this is the medication that has been perscribed. From what I found on the web this stuff can be nasty. <br /><br />A little background on this. She had some seizures at about age 14,at the time it was said she had a seizure disorder, epilepsy was not a very acceptible disease 30 years ago so it was not diagnosed as such. She took dilantin and felt like a zombie on the stuff. She stopped the medication after about six months and was fine up till about 6 months ago at age 41. She had two small fainting spells within a couple months of each other. <br /><br />I find it very hard to beieve that such a happy healthy, enerngetic, smart person could have had this all these years and never had one symptom??? 27 years with not even a hint of a problem <br />She is scared to take the medication because she knows it will make her feel sick and zonked out.<br /><br />Anyone here that has any knowledge of this disease and the medications for it I would like to hear your thoughts.

 

[JB]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Hmmm.<br /><br />Fainting spells are not that uncommon in 41 year old women. My Mom had them in her mid 40s.<br /><br />On the other hand, middle age also frequently allows low grade disorders to become troublesome.<br /><br />I suspect that RossJ. can answer this one.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

FH, has she checked to see if maybe Carbatrol would be a little better to take?<br />I know none of it will be pleasant, but maybe the side effects won't be so bad.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Jb the EEG came back as positive for epilepsy, it's a no doupt about thing. <br /><br />Thanks spinner, We are looking at all options.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Yup - they also use it to treat cluster headaches. It is a nasty drug than can cause major organ problems. You need frequent liver tests as I recall while taking it. I decided it was better to live with the pain because I became concerned with the long term affects.<br /><br />You should be able to find all sorts of info on the Net about it and make an informed decision.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Ralph did you take the depakote and then decide to stop, or did you never start? If you did how did you feel while on it. I have read all about the dangers of this drug, some scarey stuff. I am very hesitant to see her take this medicine.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Started and quickly stopped becuase it made me feel nasty as all heck. I had a choice though.

 

[RainMan302v8]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Hepatic and pancreatic complications are common with depakote, so careful observation must be made. Frequent liver panels are an excellent idea.<br />Originally a bi polar med for controlling mania, it is good for hypersensitivity, migraine headaches.<br />Powerful medicine, its is profoundly high maintenece

 

[Toad2001]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Below link is a great Epilepsy board.<br />Hopefully the link works. There are so many different medications, and many have toxicity which need to be monitored. I think all are hard on the organs theres no doubt about that.<br /><br />http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/forum display.cgi?action=topics&forum=Epilepsy&number=33&DaysPrune=1000&LastLogin=<br /><br />Depakote-<br />Generic name-Dival Proex<br />aka Valproic Acid<br /><br />Not uncommon to have blood checked monthly until stable level is obtained while using this medication.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Toad glad you checked in. Thanks a lot for the link. Just the kind of first hand info I was looking for.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

There are over 43 different types of epilepsy known. They range from "Grand Mal" all the way down to very low grade, and seldom seen types that are difficult to even recognise.<br />From what is described I would feel more evidential examination would be warranted. I'd want to rule out other causes even though the EEG suggested epilepsy as the diagnosis.<br />If your family member feels she doesn't want to take the medication then she should be given alternatives which she and the doctor can titrate and get right.<br />Over here Depakote is known by the name Sodium Valporate and is used extensively in the treatment of epilepsy. We also use it in psychiatry for behaviour related issues. I haven’t known any of my patients to have adverse side effects from taking this drug. I do know the obvious other one to be Dilantin but I have misgivings about that one as I feel it leaves the patient with a constant “hangover” feeling that you describe earlier.<br />The best approach may well be to take a “try it and see” attitude, I know of folk who didn’t wish to start it who now wouldn’t be without it!<br />Don’t drink alcohol with Valporate – the result could be a depression.<br />Yes there are tests requires to check on liver function but that’s a known risk with a measurable response which when checked from time to time need not be much nuisance value.<br />I have a sister who has experienced x3 seizures in 48 years, and her experience suggests the medication has worked for her (professional woman working as head of a large multinational company specialising in computers).<br /><br />Question - <br />Does she get ora’s before seizures?<br />Does she report feeling tired at specific times of the day?<br />Has her general health changed lately - i.e.; menopause, stress, family difficulties, very important business events about to occur, surprises, old secrets resurfacing, or others - <br />Has any other family member reported similar events?<br /><br />Ross

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Originally posted by Ross J:<br /><br />Question - <br />Does she get ora’s before seizures? Yes <br />Does she report feeling tired at specific times of the day? Yes <br />Has her general health changed lately - i.e.; menopause, stress, family difficulties, very important business events about to occur, surprises, old secrets resurfacing, or others - Yes it has been a very stressfull year, Menopause maybe <br />Has any other family member reported similar events? No <br /><br /> <br /><br />Ross what other test can be taken?? Does 500 millagram seem like to much to start out on with this drug?<br /><br />I have learned alot about epilepsy today. Thanks all for your replys.

 

[Toad2001]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Hey Flathead<br /><br />Dival is also commonly prescribed in conjunction with other anti-epileptic drugs. I doubt a single drug would control the seizures, and also doubt the first combination of drugs would guarantee her to be seizure free. <br /><br />500mg a day sounds like a preliminary dosage. I'm up to 1250.<br /><br />PS-I also take a drug called Topomax which has helped out over the past year.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Flathead,<br />there are no other tests specific to this illness that would give such a yes or no outcome. The EEG is the most reliable test I know of.<br /><br />Other tests would be utilised to rule out the likes of tumours, growths, burst blood vessels, TB, degeneration, dementia, however I don't want to see somebody panic by saying this. It sounds like she has epilepsy but it may well be stress related.<br /><br />500mg is not a high dose, is it once a day or twice a day?<br />It's not uncommon to see people on 400-600mg twice a day untill their blood tests show levels in the theraputic range then the dose is cut to a maintenance rate.<br /><br />Fear not about an ora, it's an hallucination of the Olfactory type, produced just prior to the seizure and usually an excellent warning to the individual that a seizure is imminent, often people can use this to relax and either prepare (make themself safe) or warn others of the event.<br /><br />Likewise being more tired at specific times of the day, it can be usefull to plan through stressful times and even the playing field to decrease the rate or chance of a seizure.<br /><br />Also talk to a dietitian, there are those who would claim improvements from certain diets. I don't personally have a lot of knowledge of this but have read on the subject.<br /><br />Finally, and I'm a little reluctant to suggest it, there's a type called Jacksonian type epilepsy which is often posttraumatic and involves a seizure which begins in the face or thumbs and involves a sensory march of symptoms. This is more likely to occur outside the traditional time (age) scales for other types of epilepsy.<br /><br />Ross

 

[Toad2001]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Hi Flathead, just following up on one other thing from your initial post,<br /><br />The definition of epilepsy is simply having more than one seizure.<br /><br />Have two seizures, you're epileptic. Its really as simple as that.<br /><br />Epilepsy isn't a bad word though. Its a horrific condition, but it has nothing to do with one's normal state of mind or level of comprehension.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Ross and Toad I cant say how much I appreciate your input. She was pretty hell bent to not take the meds, until she had an occurance today, I think the fact that she is all worked up over this is what triggered it. She is gonna try the meds and see how it works out.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Flahthead - she may not have a choice. If I recall correctly, the episodes may be more dangerous to her long term health than the medication. Just make sure she gets the follow up and in the mean time you should be able to find a ton of good info from sites like webmd.com and doing Google searches.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Thanks Ralph. This place is the best.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

Flahthead <br />When she starts this medication she's going to feel a bit sluggish for up to a week depending on the doseage. This is perfectly normal and I've helped many people cope with the associated feelings of being "slowed down". She would be better not to drive for a couple of days immediately after commencing and close support would help to keep her spirit up.<br />This all sounds negative but it will pass and she'll see the positive side soon enough. Once free of the symptoms I think you will all see an improvement in her approach to life in general.<br />You don't say how close a family member she is but I'll assume she's within your immediate family, you'll all need to be supportive and loving, there's still the hard yards to go with support. <br />Any help we can give, please don't hesitate to ask. Either here or by PM.<br />Ross

 

[Toad2001]

Re: Depakote?? Epilepsy

If she had an "occurance" today, unfortunately, (normally) her license will automatically be suspended for 6 months to 2 years depending on what State she lives in. You then need to be seizure free for that same period before you can drive again.<br /><br />It sucks.