Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Topamax,Keppra causing liver damage?!
Sat, 11/07/2009 - 20:48Hi, my name is Allie(18) and my mother(40's) has temperal lobe epilepsy and has absence seizures. She has tried several medications but has found that a combination of Keppra and Topamax works pretty good for her...So we thought. She was very tiny to begin with but has lost almost 20lbs since starting to take Topamax. It has severely lowered her apettite, she has to practically force herself to eat 3 meals a day and even then they're very small portioned meals. Just recently she has been complaining of abdominal pain and her stomache sort of sticks out and she's spotting as well. I was wondering if anyone had any helpful information. Her doctor is not at all helpful!!! Her doctor hasn't once had her liver or kidneys tested in the past 2 years, as I fear her liver may be faling due to such heavy medication and she's just so frail. I'm extremely worried and we don't really have funds to rush to the ER unless it's an "emergency" she says... Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Comments
Re: Topamax,Keppra causing liver damage?!
Submitted by imcstay on Sun, 2009-11-15 - 07:46
most anti-seizure medications break down through the liver. i have been on dilantin, topomax, lamictal, depakote... i finally was put on keppra, which thankfully does not go through the liver. her physician SHOULD be doing bloodwork, or liver testing, on a regular basis. i do not know many epileptics who are not staying up to date on their bloodwork and checkups. it sounds like, perhaps, you may need to consult a new physician/neurologist for your mother.
as far as nutrition, it is always important to keep up with the "supplementals." i have always taken folic acid, centrum, and potassium pills with my medication. as well, in agreement with what pwalker stated, it is important to find the right doctor for your mothers needs, and that you feel comfortable with. a good patient-physician relationship is extremely important on finding the right road to healing!
take care. i wish you the best for you and your mother!
most anti-seizure medications break down through the liver. i have been on dilantin, topomax, lamictal, depakote... i finally was put on keppra, which thankfully does not go through the liver. her physician SHOULD be doing bloodwork, or liver testing, on a regular basis. i do not know many epileptics who are not staying up to date on their bloodwork and checkups. it sounds like, perhaps, you may need to consult a new physician/neurologist for your mother.
as far as nutrition, it is always important to keep up with the "supplementals." i have always taken folic acid, centrum, and potassium pills with my medication. as well, in agreement with what pwalker stated, it is important to find the right doctor for your mothers needs, and that you feel comfortable with. a good patient-physician relationship is extremely important on finding the right road to healing!
take care. i wish you the best for you and your mother!
Re: Topamax,Keppra causing liver damage?!
Submitted by camarogirly69 on Sun, 2009-11-15 - 13:59
Hi i also had seizures they were coming from the right temporal lobe, i had a right temporal lobectomy in Nov of 2007, It took four medications til i finally stopped having them two times a day, My neurologist started me on Carbomezaphine that made me irritable, than it was Keppra that did not work for me at all it gave me thoughts of suicide so he than put me on Topamax and Lamictal had no problem, what i'm trying to get at to hopefully help so your mom can maybe get on different meds is that Topamax is used for epilepsy and treatment of Bi-polar, and it also helps to lower appitite, My doctor wanted to get me on that because of the seizures and also cause i'm overweight he wanted my appitite to be a little suppressed, It helped i wasn't having seizures constantly and it helped by me not eating alot i lost like 50lbs and right now i haven't been on the meds cause i got laid-off and having financial difficulties i hope i have helped so you can find different meds or find another doctor.
I hope this helped and i wish all the best for you and your Mom.
Hi i also had seizures they were coming from the right temporal lobe, i had a right temporal lobectomy in Nov of 2007, It took four medications til i finally stopped having them two times a day, My neurologist started me on Carbomezaphine that made me irritable, than it was Keppra that did not work for me at all it gave me thoughts of suicide so he than put me on Topamax and Lamictal had no problem, what i'm trying to get at to hopefully help so your mom can maybe get on different meds is that Topamax is used for epilepsy and treatment of Bi-polar, and it also helps to lower appitite, My doctor wanted to get me on that because of the seizures and also cause i'm overweight he wanted my appitite to be a little suppressed, It helped i wasn't having seizures constantly and it helped by me not eating alot i lost like 50lbs and right now i haven't been on the meds cause i got laid-off and having financial difficulties i hope i have helped so you can find different meds or find another doctor.
I hope this helped and i wish all the best for you and your Mom.
Re: Topamax,Keppra causing liver damage?!
Submitted by pwalker on Tue, 2009-11-10 - 20:12
Hi Honey, I understand your concern for your mother and she's very lucky to have you. First, if you think she needs to be seen "at any time" in the ER...GO! They will work with you financially and "financially" is not your biggest concern. I've never taken Topamax, but I've been on Keppra XR 1500mg since April of this year. I have also lost 20-25 lbs and don't require much food to cure my hunger. I needed to lose 20 or so but it doesn't sound like your mother did. I would suggest getting her a supply of "Ensure". She needs to drink at least one per day for nutrition. Don't hesitage to call her doctor and make an appointment or find another doctor who cares about her. There are plenty of other doctors out there. It took me four new doctors before finding one that would actually listen to me and not treat me like I didn't matter and just another number. Take care of yourself and your mother. God bless you both.