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I want off of this Depakote...
Fri, 09/15/2006 - 18:17Topic: Medication Issues
Hi everyone,
So I'm in the midst of changing my medication from Depakote 750mg to Keppra (this is for my JME). My dr is looking to get me up to 2000mg a day. Right now I'm in week 3 of the process...I decided to change because my hormones are way out of wack on depakote. I haven't gotten a period in a year, and my gyno tried putting me on some hormone drugs and birth control but they made me miserable. So here's hoping. Did anyone else get that from Depakote? I haven't heard of anyone else losing their period like i have. Another reason I am making a switch: the bloat. I am a personal trainer, I work out 6 days a week and eat super healthy, and still have this permanant puffy feeling in my lower body. I've been taking it for 11 years now, and I think my body just can't hack it anymore. Maybe my chemistry has changed? Also, how has anyone felt while they tried switching meds? I am seriously unable to focus on ANYTHING...I'm emotional, like sad for no reason, and sometimes, I just don't want to talk to anyone. I feel like a space cadet. I feel like my body is bloated and toxic from the depakote. It's such a harsh drug. How about weight issues with Keppra? Thanks guys, it's great to know there's others dealing with this yucky stuff.
Comments
Re: I want off of this Depakote...
Submitted by maraj on Thu, 2006-10-12 - 10:46
I agree with the previous poster. Get off of the Depakote. I just went to a new epileptologist. He told me that he doesn't prescribe Depakote to women of childbearing age. I had just been diagnosed with PCOS by a reproductive endocrinologist and my epileptologist was not at all surprised that I have it. He is switching me to Lamictal, which was recently FDA-approved for JME.
I did not have the puffy feeling or a total loss of periods, but I have begun to have irregular cycles, anovulation and cysts on my ovaries. I have been taking Depakote for approximately 16 years, but a fairly low dose (500mg/day).
I started a thread over on the Women & Epilepsy forum on this site and someone posted links to several articles on Depakote/PCOS. Those may help. I also read that there was a study where the PCOS symptoms were reversed in 15 out of 16 women who switched from Depakote to Lamictal. Small study, but it gave me hope.
Hang in there and keep asking questions until you get the answers you deserve!
Re: I want off of this Depakote...
Submitted by George R on Fri, 2006-10-13 - 12:49
George - NYC - OUR BODIES CHANGE.
I also take Depakote, but the "Extended Release" version (Depakote ER). Its benefit is supposed to be a slower dissolve once within our body; it doesn't just immediately break apart and get sent through our system. Like you, I am also on Keppra (2250mg), and find that both of the pills, maybe when used in combination, do make me feel very anxious, have sudden unnecessary outbursts of emotion, and even problems sleeping. I am not a woman, so I know very little about how it affects your monthly cycle, but I have heard women refer to that issue before. Maybe when you get more accustomed to taking Keppra, you will see yourself get back to normal. I hope so. But do mention these side effects to your neurologist.
--George
Re: I want off of this Depakote...
Submitted by notrust on Wed, 2006-10-11 - 22:14
Please search the web for information on the link between Depakote and PCOS, a serious hormonal/gynecological condition. Why they have been prescribing Depakote so freely to females is beyond me. My daughter is 8 years old and has developed cysts in her ovaries after being on Depakote since age 2. Bring it up with your neurologist and ObGyn. PCOS can lead to infertility and more.