Hello...I am hoping to get some information.

[Karen19511]

If you good folks wouldn't mind, I have a couple questions regarding epilepsy.

First, a little background: I do not have epilepsy, and do not personally know anyone who has had to deal with it.

I am a volunteer with an online group that attempts to match missing persons with John/Jane Does. I have recently found a missing person that closely resembles an unidentified person who was found about 30 years ago.

The missing person had epilepsy, and took medication for it. What I would like to know is this: If a person has been taking medication for epilepsy for several years, and quits taking it, would that cause a change in weight one way or the other? Also, could the medication have caused an enlarged heart, or heart murmurs?

I have researched online, and have not been able to find any information that would answer either question.

After giving it some thought, I figure it would be best to consult the people who would know.

I hope I have not offended anyone by posting.

Thank you,
Karen

[brain]

Karen!

Welcome to CWE! I moved your
post to the Foyer.

I strongly recommend that you contact
the Epilepsy Foundation directly the link is
clickable and the number is at their website,
and they will be of further assistance to you.

Because of Privacy Act - we cannot be
of assistance, however, THEY CAN!
I hope you can understand Karen, but
you are more than welcomed to browse
around and learn, you're encouraged to
because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

You don't have to have Epilepsy to be
a part of this CWE!

[Birdbomb]

Welcome Karen,

Weight changes are a common side effect of many anti-epileptic drug's (anti epileptic drugs) But the heart changes are a bit obscure. You might get those answers from a cardiologist although I imagine anything is possible.
Often murmers are undetected for years and any numer of conditions (like diabeties, thyroid) can cause an enlarged heart.

[Bernard]

Hi Karen, welcome to the forum.

First, a little background: I do not have epilepsy, and do not personally know anyone who has had to deal with it.

Here's some basic background info: epilepsy 101

The missing person had epilepsy, and took medication for it. What I would like to know is this: If a person has been taking medication for epilepsy for several years, and quits taking it, ...

Epilepsy medications are not available over the counter. They have to be prescribed by a physician. It would not be possible for a missing person to obtain them without medical supervision.

Stopping anti-epileptic drugs cold turkey can lead to increased seizure activity. Uncontrolled seizures can lead to kindling whereby the brain gets conditioned to having seizures and they become worse (in frequency, intensity and/or type).

It would be exceedingly unlikely for someone who required anti-epileptic drugs (anti-epileptic drugs) to "outgrow" their epilepsy spontaneously. Can the person in question be tested on an EEG for epileptiform activity? Aren't there other methods for positively identifying people (like dental records)?

[Karen19511]

Hi Karen, welcome to the forum.

"... It would be exceedingly unlikely for someone who required anti-epileptic drugs (anti-epileptic drugs) to "outgrow" their epilepsy spontaneously. Can the person in question be tested on an EEG for epileptiform activity? Aren't there other methods for positively identifying people (like dental records)?

First, I want to thank everyone for their replies. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to the forum. I am a bit under the weather.

Bernard,

When the members of my group find a potential match, we must first state our case to the panel members. It is their decision if it is to be passed on to law enforcement.

Cold cases are seriously under-funded, so to convince them that it is worthy of submission, I try to do as much research as much as possible.

The man I am looking at disappeared in 1977, and was on medication for epilepsy. The unidentified man was found about 3 months later. All the criteria fits, except for the weight. He is about 20 pounds heavier. That is why I was curious as to potential weight change.

The coroner at the time who was on this case stated that the heart was enlarged, and that this accident victim may also have experienced heart murmurs.

I am talking 30+ years ago, so I realize that the anti-epilectic meds have probably changed. I have found information that indicates the newer drugs can cause weight loss, but I don't know if that fact would pertain to a drug used back in the 70's.

Anyway, I am thinking if a certain drug caused weight loss, that if one was to discontinue it, they may gain weight. But, 20 pounds in 3 months is quite a bit.

If anyone else can provide more insight, I would be grateful.

Thanks again!

[epileric]

I would think the best thing to do is to find out exactly which anti-epileptic drug he was on then look up it's side-effects & contraindications.

[Bernard]

It totally went over my head that you are talking about someone who is deceased.

Some people report gaining weight on anti-epileptic drugs, while others report losing weight on the same drugs. Everyone tolerates drugs differently. If the John Doe gained weight from an anti-epileptic drug, there should be traces of the drug in blood. anti-epileptic drugs don't work like aspirins - they are metabolized in the liver and titrate into the blood stream.

What I said before holds true though. If this person went missing, they would not be able to refill their prescription without a doctor.

[keyna]

You really do need to get in touch with the epilepsy foundation, they are a wealth of information, and could probably help you alot. anti-epileptic drug drugs have changed so much over the years, if he was still taking meds, his meds may have changed. There are just too may questions.

[brain]

Karen:

This information may be of assistance
if not (there is a link there where
I obtained this information )
BUT - it does not have the latest
anti-epileptic drugs however:


Historical Information on Anti-Convulsants & Anti-Epileptic Drugs - CWE

[brain]

Karen:

In Toxicology - yes; it can be detected
via the body, I contacted someone I know
who is a Toxicologist Expert; and
there are ways that one can detect the
person on anti-convulsant via organs
(liver, kidney, blood, brain, cardiac),
even if the person had been deceased
for more than 50, 60, 70 years ago.
Even bromides can be traced back -
and can be picked up on the bones.
Phenobarbital, Mysoline, Bromide, and
other harsh anti-convulsants which can
cause severe reactions on individuals
and can cause them to sustain critical
medical adverse reaction(s); Even
those that have been discontinued by
the FDA and Worldwide because of its
severity / health problems.

And it is possible to trace back an
individual if such person was registered
as an 'Epileptic' - that is IF the person
was ever registered.

However there were Psychiatrists that
also treated 'Epileptic' people in their
own hands back in those years as well
and not just in the Neurology Depart-
ment.

Unfortunately he also stressed that
there were also anti-convulsants used
off-label - so keep that in mind as well
and he stressed that those alone used
in Psychiatry can actually provoke
epileptic seizures while trying to treat
a psychiatric disorder or disorders.

He also mentioned that he had come
across several people that were put on
Tofranil (a seizure hazard) and also put
on Phenobarbital or Mysoline to control
the seizures or even Depakote. To give
you a general idea.

You would need to enroll and take up a
course, which takes 4 years tops - in
Toxicology, in an University; which
would be of tremendous assistance and
benefit to you. But he warns that the
toxicology course is very difficult and
challenging, but is very worthwhile
and makes you exceptionally valuable.

That is all he had to state, and he is
currently expanding in the field into
further depths, and is going in 2 more
years of extension into this field.