Epilepsy meds and severe nausea - MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!

[Stinkpot]

Ok, first thing, I take Depekote, Keppra, Lamictal, and Folic Acid.

I've had Epilepsy for 9 years now, and I haven't had a convulsion for almost 7 months ever since I started taking Depekote - and I really don't want to be taken off of it because it has really made my life so much happier!

But even though the Depekote has been reduced because one tim e it was too high, I still am nauseous when I take it(I take the Depekote at night only). It's no where near as bad when it was too high, but it still makes me sick.

In the morning is the worse. I can only think that the Folic Acid pills(I take in the morning only) are responsible for the agonizing nausea I must suffer.
The nausea is so bad it makes m e sleepy. Surprisingly, I usually don't puke. But this nausea can last up to 2 hours or longer. It is so bad that over-the-counter anti-nausea meds(like Pepto bismal) doesn't work. The only thing I can do is induce vomiting to relieve it - and sometimes that doesn't even work.

I've also been sleeping ALOT lately. I'm really sleepy all the time and I'm up at night with nothing to do. I often miss cleaning days cause I over sleep.

Before I can see my neurologist(which wants to see me in another 3 moths), is there a really good over-the-counter med that can successfully take care of my nausea?

Please help! I can't stand it any more, I'm sick of the nausea and inducing my self to vomit every morning just for relief!

Regards,

Stinkpot

[Nakamova]

When I was having med/stomach problems, I found that the mornings were hardest because there's the most stomach acid then. But it sounds like you're suffering more from nausea than from acid indigestion, right?

Have you tried skipping a dose of the Folic Acid pills to see if that helps? If you find that they are indeed the problem, then you might experiment with taking them later in the day, on a full stomach. Vitamin B6 supplements (10 to 25 mg three times per day) can also reduce mild to moderate nausea (they sometimes prescribe them for pregnant women) so you might give that a try before taking anything stronger.

[Endless]

Stinkpot,

I'd love to make it stop for you, but I'm too busy hurling (Diamox).

One part of mine is acid reflux. I take prilosec and sleep sitting up. that helps. an icepack on my stomach helps too. in the meantime i call it my own special weight loss program.

[Stinkpot]

Thanks guys. I didn't take my Folic Acid pills yesterday and I wasn't nauseous! Wonder why I get nauseous from them....

[Frink]

I cannot take Depakote, it gives me projectile vomiting.
Do you take your folic acid with food?

[Nakamova]

The nausea is actually a fairly common side effect from folic acid.

If you still need to take the folic acid, try taking a slightly smaller dose, taking it with food and/or taking it at night -- all of that may help reduce the nausea.

[Frink]

I have to take my vitamins right before I eat, if I take them right after eating or in between meals I will get nausea and indigestion.

[ajax]

I haven't tried Depakote, but I stuck with Keppra for three weeks and never got over bouts of violent cookie-tossing (calling up Ralph on the big white phone). High doses of Lamictal have made me dizzy/ataxic (in combination with dilantin), but not super nauseous. I hope you're feeling better.

[Endless]

It looks like nausea is a side effect of folic acid. Yours sounds like it goes beyond "less serious" if you are throwing up that much. Did your doc put you on folic acid? If not, a doctor's guidance might be helpful here, on how much you should be taking and how you should take it. In the meantime....

I was noodling around on the internet and found this on Drugs.com:

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to folic acid: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, but may include:
nausea, loss of appetite;
bloating, gas;
bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
sleep problems;
depression; or
feeling excited or irritable.

http://www.drugs.com/folic_acid.html

I'm going through some serious nasea right now, and I've found that banannas, graham crackers, and applesauce are a bit easier on me coming back up than most food. Really, I don't think it helps to throw up less, but makes the throwing up less miserable.

Hang in there.

[Stinkpot]

Thanks guys! Yes my doc put m e on it.

I took it yesterday during the day and last night was horrible! Absolutly agonizing! I had a "nausea attack(what I call them)." I've had 2 of these before, 1 not 2 long ago. These "attacks" happens when I'm asleep cause I wake up to them.
The attack includes poor off-balance mobility, dizziness, constant vomiting, severe nausea, strange feeling in my head if held back, hard time holding my head up, sleepiness, hard breathing, and everything looks like it's spinning around. These attacks last several hours. Last night took about 5 hours till I could keep fluids down. I was so thirsty!

I am officially through with Folic Acid.

I didn't take them this morning, I've had enough. All that puking(mainly of stomach bile and water I tried to keep down!) last night made me really hungry and I was able to enjoy a tastey omelet without it ending up in a bucket! Yay!

Thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate it!

[RobinN]

Have you ever considered researching the connection between intestinal damage and seizures? The brain-gut connection?