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Best medication?

Mon, 06/13/2005 - 08:45

Hello from sunny Ireland! First time caller, so please go easy if I mess something up!!

Basically, I had my first and only Grand Mal seizure three years ago at the age of 28. I did have 'dizzy' spells for a couple of years coming up to that time, which I have since found out were Petit Mal episodes. I never got these checked out, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happenedÂ…

These still continue today (mainly due to a series of bad night's sleep) and I am prescribed 2x Epilim (Sodium Valproate) tablets per day. From what I have read on this website, there is barley a mention of this drug. Is it outdated, or are there better drugs out there? Because I'm still getting the Petit Mal seizures (the most recent was this weekend!), I'm not convinced that this drug is working for me. Then again, without the drug, the seizures may well happen more frequentlyÂ…

Has anyone else been through this situation? Is there currently a 'drug of choice' for the treatment of Epilepsy?

Thanks - any advice greatly appreciated!!

Comments

RE: Best medication?

Submitted by scorpio on Wed, 2005-06-15 - 12:54

Valproate out of date?  Depends what you mean I suppose!  According to a reference book I have (published UK, 2000),  '' Valproate was first synthesised in 1882 and used as an organic solvent..............''; '' It was licensed in Europe in the early 1960's where it became widely used,and then in the US in 1978.  It has been marketed as a magnesium or calcium salt, an acid, and also as sodium hydrogen divalproate (Depakote).  None of these derivatives show any real superiority'' (et al).

''(Valproate) has become a drug of choice in primary generalised epilepsy and for treating a wide spectrum of seizure types''. 

So there you have it!

Chris

 

Valproate out of date?  Depends what you mean I suppose!  According to a reference book I have (published UK, 2000),  '' Valproate was first synthesised in 1882 and used as an organic solvent..............''; '' It was licensed in Europe in the early 1960's where it became widely used,and then in the US in 1978.  It has been marketed as a magnesium or calcium salt, an acid, and also as sodium hydrogen divalproate (Depakote).  None of these derivatives show any real superiority'' (et al).

''(Valproate) has become a drug of choice in primary generalised epilepsy and for treating a wide spectrum of seizure types''. 

So there you have it!

Chris

 

RE: Best medication?

Submitted by Belinda on Thu, 2005-06-16 - 17:42
Deano,The best drug for one person may not be for another.I'm med resistant to any drug that's not the original Tegretol.I'm allergic to a lot more that work great for others.My seizures started when I was two.Depekene I can't take it makes me impossible to live with as I learned when I was a teenager.Depakote I'm allergic to.Now when it comes to Felbatol (felabmate) That works good for me along with Tegretol (carbamezapine) and Topamax (Topiramate)Everyone is different al drugs work differently for everyone. Belinda

RE: RE: Best medication?

Submitted by Jfer217 on Fri, 2005-06-17 - 07:16
I also had my first one late in life..30. The first Grand Mal they said was probably from stress ..the second one..now they are not so sure. Im on Depakote now and havnt had anymore. They still dont know the real cause. Dr. says probably wont have another one but they said that the first time. Ive heard Ireland was beautiful and have always wanted to go. One day when these kids are outta the house Im going.

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