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Depakote

Tue, 08/10/2004 - 21:50
Hi, I am new to this comunity, and I need some support.In December 2002 my husband had a scheduled aneuryzm surgery. 3 days later he had a stroke, was in coma for 15 days, and paralized on his left side. Doctors put him on Dilantin 300mg a day. This medication worked pretty well at the beginning, and he did not have seizures, but later on his Dilantin level was very unstable, and every time it was out of the therapeutical level he had seizures. As you know the free level is therapeutical btw 1-2, and the total level is btw: 10-20. These seizures lasted sometimes 30, 40, and 50 minutes, so we ended up at the ER, and in the ICU with status epilepticus. Every time they knocked him out, because they were not able to stop the seizures otherwise. What was stange in this seizures, he was always conscieus, you talked to him, and he aswered your questions. In 2003 he was more at the hospital, and rehab centers than at home. They changed his medication several times. First Dilantin, than Keppra, than Dilantin again, than they added Topomax to his Dilantin. This last combination was on for a long time, but because he was still having this long seizures, some doctor called it grand mal, some other partial tonic clonic seizure, doctors changed again medication. Left him on Dilantin and added Trileptal. This combination was no good either, then they eased him off of Dilantin and added Keppra. I think the best combination for him was Trileptal and Keppra, because he acted like as he was before the surgery. But doctors changed again (in my opinion for some mistake,because they thought he had a seizure, and he did not) and we ended up with Depakote and Keppra. Now he is taking 1250mg of Kepra 2x a day and 500mg of Depakote 3x a day. He is very sleepy, sleeps from 8PM to 8AM every day, sometimes longer, and takes other naps during the day, and now lately he has difficulty walking with the cane, or walker and has difficulty transferring to the wheelchair or bed or toilet. The last time we checked, his Depakote level was 100.33, still acceptable, because the therapeutical level is btw. 50-100. I kind of don't like Depakote, but I am afraid of a change, because he still has some seizures, about every 2 weeks, but they are now 2 min or less. He was disabled after the stroke, but rehabilitation get him back, almost as he was before. Then the seizures started, and he was not able to walk again, he is very week. Doctors say, that the scar tissue in the brain causes these seizures. He cannot be left alone, I have a lady who is watching him during the day, when I work. He stilll has therapy, but if it is after a seizure it seems that he made 1 step forward and two steps back. His Neuroligst gave us Diastat, what is a great medication: it is a rectal gel (valium), it has to be given only if the seizure is longer then 5 min. Wherever we go, I take it with me. I had to use it one time, and have to tell, it stopped the seizure instantly.Sorry to bore you, but perhaps sombody has some suggestions, and support for me.ThanksK

Comments

RE: RE: Depakote

Submitted by ermeszter on Tue, 2004-08-10 - 21:50

Hi Tany,

I am your friend, and I am sorry, that I did not get back to you sooner, but my husband is in the hospital, and after work I go right away there, and when I get home is very late.

As I understand from your letter, you are taking clonazepam 5mg (are you sure it is 5mg?).  I am not familiar with this medication.  I am happy to hear that you had no seizures for about 6 month, that is very good.  When did you have your last exam?  Was it when you were 19? 

You know it is very important to go regularly to your neurologist, because you need the check ups, I repeat it it is very important!  You will go to your doctor on the 13th  or on the 30st of  August, let me know, what the neuro says.

How is your mom doing? Is she OK now on the medication what she is taking?

I  am from Michigan, it is far from Altanta.  My daughter was there this weekend, for  a meeting.  She liked the city very much.  One time we drove though Atlata,  and what I saw was very beautiful also.  The weather what you have is a lot better then here in Michigan. 

 Are you working or are you going to school?  Tell me something about you I would like to know more about you, and let me know if I can help.

Tammy, let me know what your neuro says, and I am hoping, that you seizures are controlled now.

God bless you, you are in my prayer.

Katalin

Hi Tany,

I am your friend, and I am sorry, that I did not get back to you sooner, but my husband is in the hospital, and after work I go right away there, and when I get home is very late.

As I understand from your letter, you are taking clonazepam 5mg (are you sure it is 5mg?).  I am not familiar with this medication.  I am happy to hear that you had no seizures for about 6 month, that is very good.  When did you have your last exam?  Was it when you were 19? 

You know it is very important to go regularly to your neurologist, because you need the check ups, I repeat it it is very important!  You will go to your doctor on the 13th  or on the 30st of  August, let me know, what the neuro says.

How is your mom doing? Is she OK now on the medication what she is taking?

I  am from Michigan, it is far from Altanta.  My daughter was there this weekend, for  a meeting.  She liked the city very much.  One time we drove though Atlata,  and what I saw was very beautiful also.  The weather what you have is a lot better then here in Michigan. 

 Are you working or are you going to school?  Tell me something about you I would like to know more about you, and let me know if I can help.

Tammy, let me know what your neuro says, and I am hoping, that you seizures are controlled now.

God bless you, you are in my prayer.

Katalin

RE: Depakote

Submitted by Tany on Sun, 2004-08-08 - 23:46
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