epilim and major lack of sleep

[vely2101]

hello all

a few weeks ago my neurologist took me off carbamazipine so i was un medicated for about two weeks. the first week i was off meds was fine but the second week was bad i have not sleep for more than 2 hours each night for the last 5 nights. yesterday i started epilim and wantedto no what people thought of it.
thanks

[Trinity]

Epilim (otherwise known as Sodium Valproate) is what i'm on and a main side effect is tiredness and weight gain. I always need to get my sleep and if I miss out then I definitely pay for it later. That said however, it is a good drug and i've had good seizure control with it.

[jazz'smum]

My daughter is new on epilum since August, it is controlling absence seizures after along time with not a lot of control.

She does get tired and falls asleep in front of the TV.
She has a cyst that effects her sleeping, so epilum is probably a great medication for her.
And as Trinity has also mentioned, appetite increase and weight gain are a side effect.

All the best to you.

[skillefer]

I had great seizure control and unfortunately, weight gain...But it worked good for me.

[sam36]

I am also on sodim valporate and i have been on it for the last 20 years i think it is a very good drug although i have put on weight over the years and 3 days ago i had another major fit after not having any for the last 16 years,but i think that may have something to do with the fact that i havent had any blood level tests is the last 10 or 12 years i guess i was just overlooked to my detrement beause during this time i have put on alot of weight and the drugs may have stopped working but genrally i can say they have worked well with me. I am on 600mg at night and 900mg in the morning. Oh and i am 36.

[Kansas Educator]

I take Depakote ER (extended release sodium valproate) and have done so since I was first diagnosed about two years ago. I haven't had a single seizure and no weight gain at all. I was a little tired at first but, feel perfectly normal now.
I take 1000 mg. ER at night and that is it. My Dr. is now reducing my dosage to 750 mg. ER and, if I continue to have no seizures, we'll reduce it to 500 mg. in the future. After that, I'm not sure. It's been a good med for me and I hope it works for you too.

[sam36]

i have been reading with great interest articles on using magnesium sulphate(epsom salts) in controlling epilepsy this seems to have worked for many people i would be interested to see peoples views on this.I was not allowed to post a link because i have not been on this forum long enough.

[epileric]

i have been reading with great interest articles on using magnesium sulphate(epsom salts) in controlling epilepsy this seems to have worked for many people i would be interested to see peoples views on this.I was not allowed to post a link because i have not been on this forum long enough.

Cure for Epilepsy? Magnesium Deficiency...

[sam36]

Hehe thats the same link i was thinking of posting thanks.

[epileric]

IMHO there is no cure for epilepsy & because the causes are so varied I don't believe there ever will be a single cure the way measles or a cold are cured. All we can do is control it with various methods. I do tend to get very apprehensive when I see people claiming to "cure" epilepsy, regardless of what the "cure" is.

[sam36]

i too doubt seeing a cure anytime soon but after my recent episode after so many years i have done alot of reading and do intend to try the magnesium thing together with taking my regular meds just to see how i get on because although up untill now i never had any fits i have had jerks throughout the years maybe this will help those jerks too.