AEDs, Bone Pain, and Fractures

[Endless]

Can AEDs cause bone pain and fractures?

I've only been on AEDs about a year or two, had a few periods of metabolic acidosis and low potassium, but all is under control most of the time. I'm on potassium, magnesium, D, and calcium supplements. My doc told me the AEDs couldn't be the culprit for bone pain and fractures in this small a time period. Thought I'd check with all of you. The pain is in several of my bones, hairline fracture in a couple. It really hurts.

 

[epileric]

This might help answer your question.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/anti-epilepsy-drugs-osteoporosis-9307/

 

[Endless]

One more piece of info: my bone density is great, according to the bone density test. It's actually better than what's normal for my age.

Puzzling.

 

[Nakamova]

I was told that, at least for Dilantin, bone changes can occur fairly rapidly for some. Lamictal isn't supposed to affect calcium to the same degree. It is know for causing joint pain though I don't know about fractures.

You might want to have another bone density test done. From what I understand, the test has accuracy and reliability issues, and a single test reading shouldn't be used to make treatment decisions. It also depends a bit on kind of bone density test you've had -- central or peripheral -- though I assume you had the more-accurate central kind.

 

[survivor]

Dear Endless, same questions keep occuring to me these days. Although i dont have bone pains, but yes first i had hair line fracture when my feet just hit the chair little bit and then complete fracture when I just brushed across my baby during playing. I will definitely get to u when i have my tests done. thanx Niki for the advice!