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Gallbladder Removal = More Frequent Seizures?

Sat, 10/05/2013 - 12:14

Our teenage son began having seizures just over two years ago.  Once he was put on meds we had success with Depakote and he was seizure free for approximately 16 months.  This past March he had his gallbladder and appendix removed.  About 2 week following he had a breakthrough seizure.  He has had a total of 5 tonic colonic seizures since his surgery.  The doc keeps upping the meds.  We've asked his neuro if and how these could be related.  On of his other doctors suggested that the gallbladder remove could be effecting how long the meds stay in his system.  Recent labs show therapeutic levels of Depakote although after his seizure in August he took his meds an hour later then the labs take another 2 hours later showed low level of Depakote in his system.

 

Thoughts? Comments? Advice?

 

Thank you,

Richard

Comments

Re: Gallbladder Removal = More Frequent Seizures?

Submitted by tcameron on Sat, 2013-10-05 - 16:01
His surgery might be the cause. Any stress (physical and/or emotional) is a seizure trigger. After my seizures, my Dilantin level is always low. I asked my epileptologist (neurologist who specializes in epilepsy) if seizures cause the body to use more than usual. I think he said that they don't know. (Your message makes me think that they do.)

Re: Gallbladder Removal = More Frequent Seizures?

Submitted by UH_Warrior13 on Sun, 2013-10-20 - 10:16

honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i

 

I never had more szs after having mhy gall bladder out.

 

just felet a shole lpt better and was not puking all thei time.

 

I live in HI so I had mine down at Straub Hospital in Honolulu where I live.  took about 30 minutes to do and I was done.  No repercussions

 

uh_warrior

honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i

 

I never had more szs after having mhy gall bladder out.

 

just felet a shole lpt better and was not puking all thei time.

 

I live in HI so I had mine down at Straub Hospital in Honolulu where I live.  took about 30 minutes to do and I was done.  No repercussions

 

uh_warrior

Re: Gallbladder Removal = More Frequent Seizures?

Submitted by Rainbowchiclet on Fri, 2013-10-18 - 18:57

Yah the gullbladder and apendix have nothing to do with brain waves so it couldn't have anything to do with them being gone, but it definitly could have something to do with the mental and physical stress of the operation or maybe if he is/was taking pain medication after the operation it could make the depakote less effective or overstimulate his brain.

 

PS: when increasing depakote dose I suggest getting monthly blood tests for blood cell count and valporate levels in the blood because I was overdosed on Depakote and let me tell you it was one of the worst 2 months of my life. Just be weary if he tells you about any increases in side effects.

Yah the gullbladder and apendix have nothing to do with brain waves so it couldn't have anything to do with them being gone, but it definitly could have something to do with the mental and physical stress of the operation or maybe if he is/was taking pain medication after the operation it could make the depakote less effective or overstimulate his brain.

 

PS: when increasing depakote dose I suggest getting monthly blood tests for blood cell count and valporate levels in the blood because I was overdosed on Depakote and let me tell you it was one of the worst 2 months of my life. Just be weary if he tells you about any increases in side effects.

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