why?

[seashells]

hello everyone... i just joined this site and its really very informative.. my name is shei and i've been suffering from a petit/grand mal seizures sinced i was 16 years old...In 1999, my neurologist finally switched me to Depakote ER 500 mg/day and i've been seizure free sinced then.. When i lost my parents in a car accident here in colorado, in 2006..i was so stressed out and that triggered the seizures i guess, i had 3 for the whole 2006 and onced in 2007, but i never gave up.. i managed to balance my emotions despited i know there was something going on... surely enough, my family doctor found out that i was in a denial stage of my depression... so then theres selexa that i refuse to take coz i believed in natural healing... but i was wrong til i had a relapsed early this year... so then my doctor changed my anti depressant to Prozac...of course i asked my doctor about drug interaction, like Prozac and Depakote.. but he said it is okey...then my boyfriend told me about the 5HTP suppliment... so i decided to trade my Prozac for the 5HTP..( i started taking it 2 weeks ago, 1 tab, 50mg/day)i felt good depression wise but one night i was feeling the aura of having a seizure and i jumped on the couch and went to my laptop and went online and that is how i discovered this site....then i started to worry about the 5HTP that i discovered online, its different effect to people, and one more thing.. i've been losing my appetite...(i know depression does that to you, and doesnt even makes me sleep) but i was prescribed to take ambien...and last weekend, there it go... i had a grand mal seizure.. i passed out at the parking lot.. i scared some of my friends and they called an ambulance for me and i have to be admitted to ER and the doctor discovered that my Depakote level in my blood was just 23 and i was 27 short...(i should be between 50-70 depakote level).. so what do you think guys???


sincerely,
seashells

[RobinN]

Hi Seashells, welcome to CWE.
I wish I knew that answer. I would free a lot of people from pain and sorrow if I did.
You are among friends here though that understand your questions.
I certainly did.
Perhaps just one is not a return to old patterns. Keep your triggers low.

[skillefer]

Hi seashells! I don't have any answers, but I would like to say welcome to the forum. We're a really friendly bunch, so if you have questions or just need to vent, feel free.

[brain]

Seashells

Welcome to CWE! Sorry you're having
to experience seizures, but feel free
to browse around and explore the
website and feel free to vent any time,
as well as viewing the resources avail-
able, member's postings, and much
more!

[Georgiagirl88]

Hi There,

I just wanted to say Hi and welcome. I am so sorry to hear about your Mom and Dad. I can only imagine how hard that must be. You seem like a really strong person! My suggestion would be talk to your Drs. I know it's not a good thing to experiment with supplements,vitamins or over the counter stuff without talking to your Dr./pharmacist since things can interact. I am not sure about depacote? since I am rather new as well. I just wanted to wish you well and things will work out!

Michelle )
P.S. My sister used to live in Colorado also.

[BensalemAngler]

My son is on Depakote Sprinkles. Do you take sprinkles or Pill. I know the Sprinkles are suppossed to stay in your system longer.

Just a thought.

[Bernard]

Hi Shei, welcome to the forum.

Sounds like there are a lot of variables in the equation, but the biggest one is likely the dose of Depakote in you blood stream. I'm guessing your blood syrum level was in the 50-70 therapeutic range during the time that you were seizure free? Did you stop taking it diligently? Any changes to your diet/drinking habits that might alter your metabolism? You might want to ask the docs to check your liver to make sure it is working properly in metabolizing the drug.

[Amy]

Hi Seashells, Welcome to the forum. Whenever I login here, I feel like I am visiting my family. This grp has been an awesome one & very supportive.

My child was on depakote for ONE Month. I don't mean to scare you, but it was the worse med. for him. I know it is a very effective (means controls seizure) medicine.

I just want you to watch your loss of appetite, which is not good. Pls make sure you don't have any stomach pains too. (To read my full story, read the title: Is it me alone or anyone else with me?" thread.

Another point: They said the medicine level has to be from 50-100. He was on 99, then they started changing limit from 100-150! God knows! they also said, the liquid form has varying amount of med. level, where as capsule (sprinkle) form which is called extended release, is a more reliable form for knowing the quantity in blood. Both are same medicine though.
Good luck,
Amy