My wifes seizures and Zoloft, a link?

[darcness]

I've been pondering this the last few days and really think I might be on to something here. Here's what happened.

My wife who had no seizures before a year and half ago (she's 25 now) was going through an incredibly stressful time at work. She went to her GP and was diagnosed with depression. She was started on a low dose of Zoloft (50mg a day).

I'm not exactly sure when she started taking the Zoloft, but I know she had the first seizure while she was taking it. Then about 3 or 4 months ago she felt like the Zoloft wasn't working very well. She talked to the doctor and they upped the dose to 100mg.

And guess when she had her second seizure? Soon after that. Then a third seizure about 3 months later. Then a fourth soon after the 3rd.

To me, this correlation bothers me. Is it a fact that SSRI's can cause a lower threshold? If so, is there any documentation about this?

I really think there may be something to the Zoloft and the increase in seizures. Has anyone experienced a similar experience with SSRI's and causing increased seizure activity? The fact that she only had 1 seizure on 50mg and then it increased to 3 more soon after starting on 100mg makes me almost positive that some link is there.

If there is a link, what kind of depression/anxiety medication can she take besides Zoloft that would help without lowering her threshold?

She also now suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I'm not sure if that's due to the seizures or stress, but I have a feeling the Zoloft might be causing part of it. I know for me, Zoloft has been nothing but a roller coaster of emotions. That would be enough to lower anyone's threshold I would think.

 

[epileric]

I found this

From what I've read about Zoloft, it should not be taken if the person has seizures.

Seizures are a rare side effect of Zoloft® (sertraline hydrochloride). Seizures have occurred in up to 0.2 percent of people taking Zoloft.

http://depression.emedtv.com/zoloft/zoloft-and-seizures.html

http://depression.emedtv.com/zoloft/zoloft-warnings-and-precautions.html
Also found this:

Seizures: People with a history of seizures should use caution when taking sertraline. Anyone who develops seizures should stop taking the medication.

http://www.healthyontario.com/DrugDetails.aspx?brand_id=375&brand_name=Zoloft

 

[Rhea]

I was put on zoloft last year after a "mental breakdown" of some kind in which I admitted myself voluntarily to the psych ward. I now think that it was seizure activity combined with stress, and thyroid issues. I was also very tired of being misdiagnosed and told it was all in my head. I would like to go off of the zoloft but do not have insurance right now to be monitored. Seems like when I went off of cymbalta (misdiagnosed again as bi-polar)a few years ago is when my seizures really showed up. I know I need to taper, but that's not the issue. Why do doctors not check medications before putting you on another? I know when I miss a dose of zoloft, my head buzzes and I get the "brain zaps". I don't really believe I need an anti-depressant, just needed to have seizures under control. But it seems that most doctors prescribe an anti-depressant as a regular course with AED"s. Why? And should we notify doctors when we see facts like this and push the issue of med changes? I feel for your wife- it's hard enough to handle E., then we get doctors who tell us that we should do this or that- and we find out that they haven't done their homework. I haven't checked to see if there are anti- depressants without that dreaded side effect, but will try to do some research today.

 

[RobinN]

These are extremely strong drugs and to think that all patients will respond like the drug companies portray them too, is expecting a lot. I would definitely be concerned.

My daughters seizures worsened while on anti seizure meds. Not one of the three neurologists would ever admit that the side effects were a direct result of the medication. I have proof on the calendar journal that I keep. Being off of medication has reduced seizures dramatically. By creating a healthy environment in her system, we have just about controlled them.

 

[skillefer]

I would say that there might very possibly be a link. You or she might want to ask her neuro about it...because to be quite honest, the link between the time she started seizing, and the date she started and upped the meds is pretty odd. If the docs are worried about her moods, they might want to put her on depakote if she's not already on it. Depakote is also prescribed as a mood stabilizer. In fact, that was it's original, primary use. It wasn't prescribed for seizure use until after they realized that patients with mood issues and seizures had fewer seizures while on it too.

 

[darcness]

Yeah, she's already on Depakote. I think she is going to talk to her doctor anyway because she doesn't feel like the Zoloft is doing much for her anyway. I really hope her doctor takes her off of it, but does it correctly. I know you have to come down slow or else the withdraw can be horrible.

I just wonder if there is anyhing else she can take if the anxiety/depression gets worse if she comes off the Zoloft. Hopefully the Depakote will help and she won't need an AD. I'll keep you guys posted on her progress.

 

[skillefer]

Maybe the fatigue is so strong because the depakote and zoloft are strengthening each others effects. Sometimes meds can do that. Did the neuro know about the zoloft shes taking? If not, then that may be the case....If she doesn't think the zoloft is helping, she may want to lower the amount slowly, and then, if needed have the neuro up the amount of depakote. Also, check to see if there are any food interactions with depakote. I know that with my Dilantin, I can't take anything like Tums for at least 2 hours after, or it'll screw up the absorption. Other drugs screw up birth control absorption, and one of the meds isn't absorbed as well if you eat or drink grapefruit. So just double check, or ask the pharmacist. Also, if your wife's doc thinks that absorption is an issue...(after all, we don't all absorb things the way the drug companies think...) you might ask for depakote -XR. It's an extended release formula so that the meds will release at a more consistant rate. Some people find that depakote works well for them, but only at certain times of the day...and then seems to lose strength before the next dose. they tend to be more successful on the XR formula.

 

[Cint]

darcness,

IMO, your wife really needs to see a specialist for the epilepsy and depression, since she is suffering depression that so often accompanies epilepsy. I also suffer from depression along with E and also take Zoloft. My seizures are finally under control, after trying different meds for seizures.

Here is an interesting article: Depression in Epilepsy

http://www.john-libbey-eurotext.fr/en/revues/medecine/epd/e-docs/00/04/2A/E1/article.phtml

FYI, I was briefly put on an anti-psychotic drug, Zyprexa, and ended up with Type 1 diabetes! Some of the newer medications for depression/ bi-polar do have bad side effects, so don't be intimidated by the doctors and ask plenty of questions.

 

[darcness]

Her neuro did seemed concerned that she was on Zoloft when he saw it on her file. Luckily he is very thorough about her notes and her GP doc communicates every thing to him and vice versa. Both her docs are very good about checking her records every time we see them, which assures me they are in sync.

As for the Zoloft, I really think she is planning on getting off of it. Of course I'll make sure she knows to taper very slowly. I've heard cases of coming off AD's and it making the threshold lower, so I would like to avoid that if possible.

I know that the Depakote is a mood stabilizer, which the neuro did tell us (I already knew). He said that hopefully the Depakote will help her anxiety and then the Zoloft won't be needed. That would be great if that's the case.

I've read around the net of stories where people started taking AD's and they caused initial and then recurrent seizures. While I try not to read too much into things on the internet, I do think there is a chance the Zoloft could have had some effect on her threshold, especially when she went to 100mg. Maybe if she cuts back to 50mg at least that would help. Any less of the mix and closer to monotherapy would be better I would think.

As for the interactions, there's only one that I found with Depakote. I got a co-workers drug book (for nursing school) and it says that you can't take Depakote with milk because it will cause it to break down differently. I already let Tera know about that. She's more of a juice or tea person anyway, so we're covered there.

There are some good things happening.

First, it's been 3 weeks or more with no seizure activity. Her sleep has started to get more regulated, and she hasn't had any much of the brain fog (memory issues, etc.) like she did when we first went to 1000mg. Seems like it's starting to stabilize in her system and she's doing much better. Lastly, she nearly threw me for a loop today...

She text messaged me, and was saying that our roomates brother was going to get us the wine and champagne for our wedding for free (he works for a wine company). She was happy about it and said "We have a lot of good people around us that are going to be helping us with the wedding. We're going to have a great wedding. We're lucky."

Now this is coming from a girl who even before she had the first seizure, is normally a pesimist. I can't blame her because her family is a wreck. But in the last couple years she's really embraced my family and her and her sister have become very close. I honestly think the Depakote is helping with her mood as well. I actually had to call her and ask if some one kidnapped my wife!

So things are getting better. I'm doing good today and feeling much happier. Also, if the Depakote helps her mood, that would be amazing. She had horrible migraines before, has mental health issues, and obviously the E. Since she's started on Depakote she's had no migraines, no seizures, and now maybe a lift in her spirits. We couldn't ask for more really.

 

[john_williams]

zoloft can increase seizure activity.

I'm on it to counter effects of keppra right now. i've had increased partial seizures and we've lowered the dose down....i think i'll ask the nurologist about that thoug. I'm sure there's someting else out there to counter the anger i get from kep.

Good luck to you, i hope your wife conquers everything!

 

[Heather]

Seizures is a "possible" side effect for anyone taking zoloft, whether you have epilepsy are not.

My "former" neuro had me on zoloft. She lied to me and told me she was using it as an anticonvulsant (long story). Zoloft made my seizures DRASTICALLY worse. At my worst, I was having CPs and/or TCs every two weeks and COUNTLESS SPs daily.

Once I weaned myself off of zoloft, I FINALLY went a month without having a CP and/or TC. I did it with no doctor supervision, but I don't recommend that "at all". I was desperate at the time. My neuro had dropped me as a patient. I had no neuro at the time and I knew the zoloft was what was making things so bad. I was afraid I'd end up in the hospital if I hadn't.

I noticed a difference in my seizures almost immediately after I weaned myself off of zoloft.

Talk to your neuro.

 

[darcness]

Just a little update guys. The wife's now off of Zoloft. Her doc switched her over to Lexapro which is supposed to be better for the anxiety anyway. The way we both saw it was that her Zoloft wasn't helping her, she was still having anxiety and panic attacks, and obviously that isn't helping her seizure control at all (although she's doing well on Depakote). The move to Lexapro isn't ideal as it can also have affects with the seizures, but it's better than her staying on Zoloft which wasn't doing much of anything, and maybe hindering things.

Time will tell if the Lexapro works or not. She really needs something to help her with anxiety and the benzos are no good for long term use so I'm hoping we can find something that works well and doesn't decrease her threshold any. I know both AED's and antidepressants are both a "try it before you buy it" type of medication, so patience and some changes are likely. It's something were both prepared to go through though. We can do it togehter.

 

[Dialysiswife]

im wondering the same thing...i am on 100mg zoloft dr thinks anxiety could possibly b a trigger for my migranes but now im having seizure activity

 

[maeve09]

I am currently on 100 mg of Zoloft a day and 1000 mg of Keppra twice a day. While I was on 50 mg of Zoloft, my seizures were still more or less controlled, but since going up to 100 mg, it's pretty constant. I just have myoclonic jerks, so it's not debilitating, but it's really frustrating. The Zoloft has worked wonders on my mood, but I don't know if it's worth it to be so shaky all of the time...