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Valproic Acid, Pregnancy, and Babies

Wed, 08/14/2019 - 04:28
Hi everyone, I'm new here. Writing this post to gain some insight since cases like this is quite uncommon in my country. Anyone here please do share any successful pregnancy while taking Valproic Acid. Does your doctor prescribe specific Vitamin or medicine to decrease the side effect of Valproic Acid? I'm 27 y.o and planning to have babies. Currently taking Valproic Acid 250mg (Depakote) daily. My Doctor has been warning me about the side effect of this medicine and told me to take 400mcg Folic Acid for 1 year before planning babies. He recently he changed it to 1000mcg. While he said I'm on a very low dose of valproic acid, I'm concerned about the babies and the possibility of seizure during pregnancy. Please do share some of your experience! Thank you!

Comments

Hi Fanzff,  Thanks so much

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2019-08-14 - 20:33
Hi Fanzff,  Thanks so much for posting. It’s important that you are continuing to follow-up you’re your doctor, to help determine which treatment is best for you. An Epilepsy specialist can follow you during pregnancy and make sure you are on the best medication for you. For help finding a doctor specializing in epilepsy please visit:  www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/find-epilepsy-specialist  or by visiting the National Association of Epilepsy Centers at:  www.naec-epilepsy.org You may also contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline:1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support.epilepsy.com/helplineIt may be helpful to review our checklist and FAQ pages with your healthcare team, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/10/epilepsy-and-pregnancy-frequently-asked-questions  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy/discussion-checklist  For more-information about Valproic Acid and & pregnancy, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/valproic-acid https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy/seizures-medications-and-pregnancy To learn more about epilepsy and pregnancy here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy  &  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy/preparing-pregnancy Additionally, you may want to consider with your doctor having a device that can help track seizures, by visiting: https://www.dannydid.org/  and by keeping a seizure diary:https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary as another self-management tool. These tools may be helpful in identifying & tracking seizures, other symptoms, managing medication & other therapies, recognizing triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which you can share with your providers. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy

Hi! I’m 35 and had seizures

Submitted by Louise_Rose on Sun, 2019-08-18 - 09:32
Hi! I’m 35 and had seizures since 15. Sorry if my english is not that correct, I’m not a native speaker... I used to take Depakote and I’m trying to chance to a pregnancy (more) safe medication. In my country it’s not very common Keppra, but i have faith it will work for me. Depakote was perfect, but I first tried to switch to Trileptal, didn’t work, then I started switching to Lamictal, but in the beggining  of the change I had a seizure. Now I’m trying to switch to Keppra. I’m taking folic acid as well.You should talk to your doctor about your concern. 

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