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depakote to lamictal to depakote???
Mon, 06/05/2006 - 00:57Topic: Medication Issues
My 16 year old son had been on Depakote ER since he was 2 years old. His seizures were very well controlled unless he were to hit his head then he would have a grand mal seizure. When he reached puberty he gradually gained weight. He got up to 215 lbs. and he's only 5'10". He never exercised and he ate a lot! We decided to change his meds to lamictal (900 mg.), work with a personal trainer 3 times a week, and change his eating habits. He currently weighs 192lbs and looks great and his self esteem is so much better! BUT he's had 4 breakthrough seizures - the last seizure resulted in a horrible faceplant and I was sick to my stomach when I saw him; I felt so guilty. He also started having double vision and his mouth is dry all the time. His Dr. recommended he try Keppra or Zonegran. I want him to go back to the Depakote ER and this time we will do all we can to help him maintain his weight. Does being on Depakote mean you will gain weight inspite of diet and exercise? He obviously doesn't want to have anymore seizures, but he's afraid he'll put the pounds back on. Plus, I don't like what I've been reading on Zonegran or Keppra. I am sitting on the fence on what to do.
Comments
Hi SammiSnail... Thank you
Submitted by psgravitt on Thu, 2006-06-08 - 23:25
Hi SammiSnail... Thank you so much for your comment! I appreciate you taking the time to read my concerns and replying. My son's physician never mentioned the topamax with the Depakote ER. As far as the topamax did you have other side effects such as tingling of the hands and feet and memory loss?
Re: Hi SammiSnail... Thank you
Submitted by SammiSnail on Mon, 2006-06-12 - 21:20
I have never had the tingling of the feet and I'm not sure of the memory loss because of the seizures. I lose a little each time I have a seizure. Only I have been told that it is one of the side effects, but it really isn't bothering me. People around me know not to say hey you remember this because they know I most likely wont. But that's from before I even started the topamax. I'm on 750mgs of Depakote Er twice aday and 125mgs of Topamax twice aday and the topamax has helped keep the weight off that the depakote brought last time.
Sammi
Re: depakote to lamictal to depakote???
Submitted by SammiSnail on Thu, 2006-06-08 - 22:35
I am on depakote er and this is not the first time I have been on it. The first time I was on depakote I put on the lbs. Only this time when the doc told me he wanted to put me back on it I started fighting with him because I told him I did't want to put on weight. He told me that he could also put me on topamax which would help keep the weight off. I have been on depakote for the past two years now and the topamax has helped. One of the side of effects of topamax is it makes you not want to eat. So, being on both you are right where you should be. My doctor is happy and I am happy. So, things are good. I know you shouldn't worry about how much you weigh when it comes to seizures, but when you get to a point that you have a hard time walking up stairs something has to be done. I hope I helped in some way.