2 kind of quirky questions...

[difenbaker]

Ok so I'll go with the easier one first (if you can call it easy). Has anyone else had to take a quinolone (ie Cipro, Levaquin, etc) antibiotic even though the use in patients with E is contraindicated? I have allergies to antibiotics (no penicillins or cephalosporins at all under any circumstances), wound up with a sinus/inner ear infection like really bad. So the nurse practitioner I see (because my PCP was at a conference in Texas) puts me on levaquin, which I think nothing of because I was just on it the end of july because I had resistant strep and had NO problems. The only reason I even know I'm not supposed to have it now is my neuro flipped a sh*t because I called because I wasn't sure if something that had happened might have indicated that I had a seizure in my sleep and I wanted to know. I had seen a notation on the paper from the pharmacy to make sure your dr and pharmacy know u have a seizure disorder. I called the pharmacy first to ask him what was up with that, he checked never told me what it was, but that I shouldn't have an issue. Come to find out through some handy internet research, that this class of antibiotics lowers the seizure threshold (explains why I've spent the last 6 and a half days a disaster) brought it up to the PCP, he tells me that he's never heard of that before, and that there's still too much fluid in my ear to come off the antibioti and he isn't switching it to anything else because the levaquin will take care of it. Fine. Whatever. I shall endure hell til Monday taking this. Has anyone else had a DRASTIC change in seizures on any of these antibiotics?

Ok yes that was the easy one. I promise.

Ok question 2.

Does anyone else have any other conditions that to them seems/seemed to tell them something is off with their body as a whole but all their bloodwork and other tests have been "normal". I had to be seen by my neuro originally for a drastic change in my migraines. I had shingles (I'm 27 years old that's not normal). I have transient vertigo related to supraventricular tachycardia (an electrical misfire in my heart). Was told I have epilepsy suddenly out of no where. Just found out my triglycerides are through the roof for my age and activity level etc which elevates my chance of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. I have had issues with ovarian cysts since 04 (I've had 3 surgically removed and am a "candidate" to lose the offending ovary as the last cyst removed in February of this year adhered to everything and the ovary was damaged because of that and the other cysts I've had). And my gallbladder was removed in april of 10. Just seems to me for most of this to explode within the last 18 months seems a little odd. Yet everything (thyroid, adrenal glands) that I was told could cause the svt and epilepsy are perfect. Is there something else the drs should be checking for? From my house to the closest major city ... Newark is about 2 and a half hours and Philly and New York are just over 3 hours away. Am I doing myself an injustice by not seeing a big city dr?

Im just extremely confused at this point. Any help, advice, or even just a hi, would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa

 

[Nakamova]

I can't answer question 1 -- I've been fortunate to be able to avoid antibiotics so far.

But one thing that jumps out at me with your second question: Magnesium. It can play a role in treating migraines, seizures, and SVT, AND hormone-related health issues (such as ovarian cysts) as well. And magnesium deficiency is extremely common among people who suffer from gallbladder pain. In addition, the majority of post-gallbladder removal patients suffer from magnesium deficiency and at least 40% suffer from a calcium/magnesium deficiency. I strongly recommend that you get your magnesium levels checked, and consider supplementing with one of the better-absorbed forms of magnesium.

 

[difenbaker]

Thanks dear. I knew I left something out. My magnesium was checked. Perfect. Actually I was told for someone with so many health problems my blood work was perfect, and I smoke so there were certain counts that should have been hinky from that and those weren't off either.

I just had magnesium, keppra levels, cortisol, thyroid, a complete metabolic profile (calcium, sodium, etc) and a lipid profile (cholesterol) and a cbc (which was also perfect, with a brewing sinus infection... don't ask me how it should have been screwed up).

Maybe its something to talk to the neuro about anyway, maybe within normal range isn't enough?

 

[momof3boys]

Well to answer your questions.... I was prescribed levaquin in January by a ER dr, who dx'd me with having pneumonia at the time. Little did I know after getting the antibiotic filled, and taken one tablet, that I started to feel funny. Thats when we noticed on the information that people with seizure disorders, should not be taking it. So I called the pharmacy, and also my primary care dr, and both agreed I shouldnt have been given the drug due to having Epilepsy. I had to go through the hospital, and talk with the head people why the dr did prescribe this to me, knowing I had epilepsy. It took awhile, but I got a refund for the medication, and my primary care doctor gave me another medication to help treat the pneumonia.

As far as ovarian cysts go, Ive had problems with my menstrual cycle in my young days, around puberty, I would go for MONTHS without a period. I think my longest was 18 months with no period. I had to go to a bigger town to get a good dr, but finally found a dr that dx'd me with having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. She put me on Glucophage XR and its helped alot with preventing cysts from forming. Helps keep my menstrual cycles regular too. I also had my gallbladder removed in May of 2006. I had alot of problems with pain prior, and found out through a ultrasound that I had gall stones, so they removed the stones and gallbladder that year. I havnt had any problems since.

If I were you, and youre still having problems, I would look around for a specialist that could run some tests and see what they come up with. I know it took me years before I found the dr Ive been seeing for my PCOS and Epilepsy. Some drs know more, others are limited.

 

[Emee]

I have been prescribed Cipro more than once & have tried to take it but it always triggers a seizure. I've also had seizures from Penicillins & mycins. So far I've not found an antibiotic that I didn't have a negative reaction to.


I have the svt's & other heart arrythmias, my triglycerides suddenly went up to 680. The dr doesn't think it's anything to worry about. My adrenals are exhausted, I have Hashimoto's thyroid but the treatment for them cause me seizures. I have vertigo, syncope, migraines & the list goes on & dr's have never thought it was anything to worry about. Then after 25 years of being ignored I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia/POTS. Could you have Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction?

 

[Nakamova]

difenbaker --

Just a thought...You may want to revisit the possibility of a magnesium deficiency with your doctor -- despite having no issues show up in your blood work. It can be difficult to assess total body magnesium with blood serum tests, since only 0.3% of the body's magnesium is found in the serum. The most accurate test of magnesium is a magnesium tolerance test. This basically involves testing urine over a 24-hour period before administering an injection of magnesium, and then testing the urine after another 24-hour period to see how much magnesium is being cleared from the kidneys. if the body retains more than a certain percentage of magnesium, that points towards a magnesium deficiency.

The reason I harp on this is that magnesium plays such an enormous role in multiple body systems, and a deficiency can cause or exacerbate a variety of disorders, including those that have afflicted you. Treating with magnesium is very safe and easy to do (in consultation with your doctor of course) so the risk-benefit outlook with a magnesium supplement is very favorable.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[difenbaker]

Just an update...

I'm going to talk to my neuro when I go again Nov. 14, I go to my new ob/gyn that week as well. I have a feeling at this point one of them may be my best ally with everything. Stopped the levaquin yesterday (yes I finished it) the seizures are slowing down a lot, but they I'm sure are going to pick rift back up (I'm "due" for a visit this week). Last time was awful so I'm not looking forward to it at all. But thank you so much for all of the ideas.

Nakamova - im definitely going to find out who will order the urine magnesium instead of the serum level.

Momof3 - I wish I could say that PCOS hasn't already been ruled out. I've thought that myself, but I've been informed otherwise.

Loopy - yes, after reading about autonomic nervous system malfunction I would definitely say its a possibility.

But again thank you all sooooooooooo very much

Many thanks and hugs!

 

[elizzza811]

Just seems to me for most of this to explode within the last 18 months seems a little odd.

This thread might interest you (and possibly explain that)...

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/seizures-solar-geomagnetic-activity-11768/