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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
Re: depakote to lamictal to depakote???
Submitted by balletkat on Tue, 2006-06-06 - 10:11
Hi...
I have been on Depakote and Zonegran as well as Keppra. While on Depakote, I was in college getting my degree in dance and dancing 5-6 hours a day and I still gained weight. Depakote makes you feel hungry so you eat when you are not really hungry. Personally, I did not have a good experiance on Keppra, but I have heard that others have. I was very depressed and was not really functioning the whole time I was on it. I currently take Zonegran and right away I noticed weight loss, but I had changed from Depakote so it wasn't all that bad to loose some weight. I have also noticed some word finding problems, kind of when you know the word in your head, but it gets stuck between your brain and your mouth. I kind of feel like I am playing an endless game of Catch Phrase, I can't say the word, so I describe it. Overall, Zonegran has been a great med for me and the word problems are not that bothersome that I would want to go off. I am keeping an eye on it and if it gets worse, I'll be more firm with my dr about wanting to change. I hope this info has helped. Good luck in finding the right med for your son, and talk to the dr about your concerns.
Mary
Re: Re: depakote to lamictal to depakote???
Submitted by kimberlywhite on Fri, 2007-10-26 - 03:20
Kimberly
Amen to that!! My clothes dont even fit me anymore thanks to that darn Depakote. I went from size 14 to size 8 marathon training on Lamictal and the fat just fell off. And I was pigging out all the time too. Now that I'm on Dep. I had to try to find my old clothes because everything else is too small!! So anyway, I just saw my nuer. today and am going back to Lamic. and running too. Oh I forgot, I'm so bloated, everyday too from Dep. Oh, and gassy too. I know how you feel!!
Re: depakote to lamictal to depakote???
Submitted by ladybug on Mon, 2006-06-05 - 10:20
Psg, I am not a doctor, but I have been on Depakote, zonegran and keppra at one time or another. When I was on Depakote, I was also doing Weight Watchers and exercising 3 times a week. I gained 40 pounds in 2 months. On Zonegran, I had memory loss so bad it was affecting my marriage. (I'm a little stubborn and to admit when I've forgotten something.) :) While on Keppra, I had mood swings. If I had to choose between the 3, I would say, bring on the mood swings. The memory loss and weight gain was more than I could handle. I have memories gone from things I did with my kids while on zonegran. While on the Depakote, I even exercised harder and ate less and still gained the weight. Your son is at such a sensitive age. If I were you, and I'm not, I would discuss all of this with your neuro and see what s/he says. Good luck, Ladybug