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Starting Depakote and scared
Thu, 07/13/2006 - 18:44Topic: Medication Issues
I went to the neuro today and he changed my meds because I had a seizure the lst of June. He is tapering me off the lamictal and leaving me on topamax and is starting me on Depakote. I will end up being on 200MG of topamax and 500MG of Depakote then in three weeks I have to go get a blood level done. I have read about all the side effects and I am almost afraid to start taking it. I will take it but I am really afraid of it. Does any one have any good things to share about it?
Mary
Comments
Re: Starting Depakote and scared
Submitted by kjd on Fri, 2006-07-14 - 12:38
Mary-
Was on 1500 mg Depakote 6 months and couldn't handle the side effects. Worked great on my seizures, but gained 25 lbs in 3 months, lost my hair and started to retain major amounts of fluid. Also couldn't keep blood levels even. I would go for blood tests once a week and would be too high so the nuero would lower the dosage, then next time I went I would be too low and he would raise the dosage. Also seemed like I was in a fog all the time. Switched to Keppra and am doing better, other than having some major headaches from Depakote withdrawal. Be careful with this med, don't be afraid to tell your nuero if it doesn't work for you. Good Luck-
Kelly
Re: Re: Starting Depakote and scared
Submitted by eame on Mon, 2006-07-17 - 22:37
I have been on 500mg of Depakote since having my first 2 grand mal seizures in March of this year. I was started on Dilantin but had an allergic reaction. The biggest thing for me is the memory loss, fatigue and nausea. The nausea isn't every day. The fatigue and memory loss are most consistent and frustrating. My levels are being monitored as well. I was ok until my Dr. called Friday to have on retested so we shall see. I may have another gripe to add but don't get yourself all worked up about it and remember medication affects everyone differently so you never know. Just focus on effective treatment.
Re: Starting Depakote and scared
Submitted by aquila316 on Thu, 2006-07-13 - 19:31
Hello Mary, my name is Susan and I was on Depakote from 1985 to about 1999. I was diagnosed with absence and gran mal sz's at 12 years of age and put on 1000 mg of Depakote. I had some nausea for about the first 2 or 3 months while I was adjusting to it, but it wasn't everyday, and I usually could get rid of it with crackers. I had no other side effects at all (may have been the cause of weight gain...not 100 % sure). When I was 26 I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy also, consisting of simple and complex partial sz’s was taken off the Depakote, put on Tegretol, and hate that stuff to this day. From what I've read here, there are a lot worse side effects with other meds than I ever had with Depakote. Best of luck to you, Susan