Ahem .. unpleasant question

[lindsayschu2]

So. . . I have had mild diarrhea off and on for about a month and a half. I'm not that worried about it, pretty sure it's just a little irritable bowel from so much stress at work and worry about med switches, epilepsy, etc etc. However: Does anyone worry about absorption of meds? I'm on extended release of both meds and have been having my first breakthroughs since starting Lamictal since this has been going on. I take my meds in the am, and the ONLY time I have seizures is first in the am, before med levels can raise up. Extended release is supposed to be absorbed over long periods of time, and I have to think I'm getting less of them if everything is hustling through my system. I'm thinking of starting probiotics. Can't really ask my doc as I'm kind of between neuros at the moment. Thoughts on absorption with these probs?

 

[masterjen]

I would suggest checking with your pharmacist, as the answer may be different for different AEDs. As for taking probiotics, since they are intended to affect digestion then they, too, can affect the absorption of some medications, and you should ask the pharmacist about this as well. Also check to see if one of the AEDs you are on can cause diarrhea.

A month and a half of diarrhea is not normal, and warrants being checked out. Not absorbing food properly (including, of course, electrolytes) means you may not be getting the nutrients you need, and this can aggravate seizures. Conditions such as IBS, celiac disease, gluten intolerance and other food intolerances can all cause diarrhea. If it goes on much longer, get to your GP for a check-up and find out what's up.

 

[lindsayschu2]

Ok will do. I've lost 3 pounds so I'm definitely not absorbing at an ideal rate. Thanks.

 

[masterjen]

Oh, just reread your first post - any chance you can take the lamictal at night? If your diarrhea is not an issue at night (and not the causative factor of your diarrhea) taking the medication at night may be a way to ensure more of your medication is being absorbed. Your neuro. may have specifically said take it in the morning, but if not and the pharmacist says your diarrhea could indeed be affecting med. absorption then you consider asking the pharmacist if changing the dose time is an acceptable option.

 

[lindsayschu2]

I was taking in the morning because of insomnia--but i could maybe take my Lamictal in the morning and shift my Topamax at night for full coverage. But I made an appt with my GP for later today, so thanks for the counsel!

 

[qtowngirl]

Not absorbing food properly (including, of course, electrolytes) means you may not be getting the nutrients you need, and this can aggravate seizures. Conditions such as IBS, celiac disease, gluten intolerance and other food intolerances can all cause diarrhea.

:agree:

if they haven't tested you for celiac disease yet ask them too. celiac can cause seizures and ideally every doctor is to rule that out when one starts having seizures. thyroid is to be tested annually as well, and when our thyroid is out it can affect any part of our system. celiac testing for unexpected weight loss and diarrhea is a must tho, imo tell them you insist.

 

[masterjen]

:agree:

if they haven't tested you for celiac disease yet ask them too. celiac can cause seizures and ideally every doctor is to rule that out when one starts having seizures. thyroid is to be tested annually as well, and when our thyroid is out it can affect any part of our system. celiac testing for unexpected weight loss and diarrhea is a must tho, imo tell them you insist.

:agree:
I was diagnosed with celiac 4 years ago, around the same time seizures started. In my case some drs say they are connected and some disagree but my thought is how can they not be. Anyway, if you do decide to opt for testing for celiac (generally starts with a blood test then if blood testing is positive typically the dagnosis is confirmed with endoscopy for intestinal biopsy), you must still be eating gluten for the testing to be valid. Gluten and other food intolerances (as opposed to food allergies), on the other hand, generally cannot be detected via testing and require "food challenges" with the help of a dietician to figure these out.

 

[qtowngirl]

lindsay have a boo, been proven time and again that celiac and seizures are related-

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/CeliacNeuroSymptoms/a/Gluten-And-Epilepsy.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2661192/

these are very reliable sites so if you find a similarity with your own situation def make an appt. diarrhea is common with celiac or other gluten/digestive issues and absorption of nutrients, iron etc. and e meds are very powerful on the system in these regards as well. don't worry too much tho k, getting on it early and figuring out what steps to take is what it's all about; keep us posted

 

[lindsayschu2]

My sister tested positive for the celiac gene, but not the immune response or whatever that is. I've been wanting to get tested for that as well and she has been encouraging me to as well (she has been gluten free for a couple of years and it has made a difference for her). I'll ask for that test.

 

[masterjen]

What prompted your sister to be tested for the celiac gene? Does one of her children have celiac disease? Push for the testing to be done sooner rather than later, so if it is celiac you can get rid of the gluten as soon as possible. Good luck, and as qtowngirl said, please keep us posted If celiac is confirmed, feel free to pm me if you have questions.

 

[lindsayschu2]

She was losing hair by the handfuls and actually had bald spots, had digestive issues and felt weak and tired. She had exhausted other options. Despite the fact that she tested negative for the immune response or whatever that test is, the celiac gene plus the symptoms made her dr think she needed to eliminate gluten. It has worked for her. I myself have never thought I have had problems except I get terrible hives if I run after I eat any flour products, so I had to discontinue bread and tortillas etc before running (exercise anaphlaxis). Yes time to get tested!!!

 

[masterjen]

Almost sounds like a wheat allergy that you have, either alone or along with celiac. Funny you mention going off bread. When my GI symptoms first started they were transient and mild compared to what they eventually became. I was able to obtain relief (at least for a while) by giving up bread - at the time I was blaming the symptoms on yeast. Little did I know then!

 

[Dline]

I agree with the concern for Celiac. I have biopsy-diagnosed Celiac Disease and Complex/Simple Partial seizures. I've read many articles about the
"gut-brain connection" and specifically how Celiac can be a cause of Epilepsy. My neuro just tested me to see if my meds (Keppra and Lamictal) were absorbing properly, and the Lamictal was lower than he preferred.

Unfortunately, my seizures aren't controlled after trying 3 meds in one year...so far!!! Looking forward to that day! Even with a gluten-free diet, symptoms, like seizures, will still remain esp. the longer you go undiagnosed.

Good luck...Hopefully it's just a stomach bug and absorption issues from that.

 

[MAB]

I would suggest checking with your pharmacist, as the answer may be different for different AEDs. As for taking probiotics, since they are intended to affect digestion then they, too, can affect the absorption of some medications, and you should ask the pharmacist about this as well. Also check to see if one of the AEDs you are on can cause diarrhea.

A month and a half of diarrhea is not normal, and warrants being checked out. Not absorbing food properly (including, of course, electrolytes) means you may not be getting the nutrients you need, and this can aggravate seizures. Conditions such as IBS, celiac disease, gluten intolerance and other food intolerances can all cause diarrhea. If it goes on much longer, get to your GP for a check-up and find out what's up.

I am only on Lamictial and my neuro knows a lot about supplements. She is very happy that I take a probiotic everyday. I would still check with your pharmacist though.

 

[lindsayschu2]

Just got back from my GP--she said a Noravirus (spelling?) is going around and it was probably that, but tested for Celiac, and checking med levels to check on absorption, as well as liver function, iron levels, electrolyte levels, basically all the things my neuro rarely checks. Feels really good and will be a big relief to just know where I'm at. Thanks everyone. I can't wait to start seeing an epileptologist and feel like someone is really taking care of my condition.

 

[qtowngirl]

good to hear girl, sounds like your doctor is taking hold of the situation. that's the best

 

[masterjen]

Just got back from my GP--she said a Noravirus (spelling?) is going around and it was probably that, but tested for Celiac, and checking med levels to check on absorption, as well as liver function, iron levels, electrolyte levels, basically all the things my neuro rarely checks. Feels really good and will be a big relief to just know where I'm at. Thanks everyone. I can't wait to start seeing an epileptologist and feel like someone is really taking care of my condition.

Fantastic! Let us know how the results turn out. Keeping my fingers crossed it is just the virus

 

[valeriedl]

I take Depakote, Tegretol, Keppra and Lamictal. I've been on these for at least 5 years, probably longer.

I have very runny stool, I can't remember the last time I had a solid bowl movement. I can't pass gas or I may 'have an accident' (if you want to word it that way)

I asked both my neuro and PCP about it and they said it was due to the medicine. I don't remember if it was just one of them or if it was from a few.

I have a normal diet and I don't have any thing happening like you described that happens with Celiac. I also had a yearly blood test done by my PCP recently, just a normal one to make sure things were ok with everything in the body, and it all came back normal.