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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 mereloaded on Fri, 2013-10-18 - 22:02
When I went to the hospital to enquire about a minor outpatient procedure for my son, they gave me this list of possible surgery side effects, one of them was seizures, so I guess it is a known risk of surgery. . I opted out of the procedure.

Re: Gallbladder Removal = More Frequent Seizures?

Submitted by mereloaded on Sat, 2013-10-19 - 08:01
Here are some articles that may be helpful, it turns out that yes, general anesthesia does affect the brain in ways that may affect some people http://psychcentral.com/lib/brain-effects-of-general-anesthesia/0008431 Some articles I read sway that certain anesthesia may aggravate seizures, some are better. There is a syndrome called pocd, or post operative cognitive disfuntion, that suggest that general anesthesia affects the brain of the vulnerable, elderly, children etc. and it is temporary. Hope e dry thing is better!

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