Back from neurology appointment

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K

Kansas Educator

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I just got back from my neurology appointment and really liked and felt comfortable with the neurologist. He isn't worried about the "chronic brain infarct," as it is stable and, whatever caused it, isn't continuing. He said that it may be scar tissue from an injury I could have had as a child.

However, he does feel that I am having seizures due to my symptoms and the abnormal eeg. He started me on Depakote ER today. I am to take one 500 mg. tablet at night before sleeping. I am hoping it isn't too difficult of an adjustment for me. I go back to see him in a month and we'll see how things are looking then.

I am so glad that I found this website and that all of you are so encouraging. The last thing I need is a pity party right now!
 
Yeah!

I'm glad you liked the neuro, and that you feel comfortable with him. And now that you actually have a diagnosis, you can know what path to take.......
 
Hi Kansas ~ Oh, how very fortunate you are to have a neuro you like and are comfortable with. It took me YEARS. :) And it sounds like you news was not "perfect", but still quite good.
May I suggest that you maybe pay some attention to your HAIR while taking Depakote. I lost great masses of my hair (all over my body ~blush~blush~) and gained an enormous amount of weight.
I did lose the weight when I stopped taking it but most of the hair never came back.

Wishing you the best.
 
Finding a doc that you are comfortable with is half the battle. Sounds like the prognosis is good. :)
 
The side effects of Depakote on me, like the hair loss eventually went away, it wasn't real bad and then gradually stopped.
 
:tup:

Glad it went well today and let's hope it all works
out for you! Hang around here - we're addicting!

:agree:
 
I definitely plan on hanging around. You guys got me through the past week or so while I was waiting on pins and needles for an appointment. I'm going to wait and start the Depakote this weekend to give myself a couple days without work to -- hopefully -- get used to it on the Dr.'s recommendation. I'm feeling so much better just knowing what's going on!
 
*chuckle* It took me about a week or two to adjust to depakote. It made me a little tired...oh, and I gained weight. So try to keep an eye on that. Because as my doc said, the more you weigh, the higher the dosage level. Also, depakote is a mood stabilizer...so you may notice some changes in your moods. For me it was more of a balancing out....my depressed times were quite so depressing, my happy times didn't get overly happy, and my anger was damped down a bit....
 
Hairloss

Kansas Educator said:
What can I do to help with the potential hair loss?
Click to expand...

my hair was falling out until I started using head&shoulders sounds funny I know but it has worked for me... Ive been using it for a year or so ever since i started keppra (no longer am on keppra) my hair was falling out.... it stopped falling out when i used head and shoulders shampoo.. ill never stop using this shampoo

hugs
lorrie
 
:ponder:I don't know. I would ask the doc. Maybe eating right, or I don't know.Natural.I would just tell everybody it's high testosterone, for the guys.lol For girls just say your hair is thinning and it's inherrited.
 
I'm so happy you like your new Dr.! As Mr. B said, finding a good neuro is "half the battle."

Now you have some answers...time to get into the treatment. :e:

You'll be fine. (((Hug))) Ask us questions, and lean on us when you need a friend.

All the best to you. -Julie :)
 
You guys make me smile! It really wouldn't hurt me to gain a FEW pounds on the Depakote but I am hoping its not too much. I went to my hairdresser tonight and told her about the possible hair loss. She said that, unless I lost a LOT, I should be fine since I have lots and lots of hair so probably could spare some. Guess we'll see what happens when I start taking it Fri. night.
 
Hi again :) -- I feel like I should not have mentioned the possible hair loss and weight gain. After all, it is just POSSIBLE so I apologize ..... too late.

Here's wishing you well -- great success :)
 
Not to feel bad, Nancy. The neurologist had already told me about those lovely side effects when I was in his office. So, you didn't surprise me or shock me into a seizure or anything! My daughter is a Dr. in KC and she reminded me Mon. night that there are a lot worse things in life than this and, I guess it's important to keep things in perspective and remember that.
 
Oh - how kind (and even somewhat FORTUNATE!) Kansas.
When my e started in 1990 my husband was stationed at a small Air Force base in North Dakota and ........ well, I knew absolutely nothing about epilepsy, nothing about the medication and neither did the medical staff.
It was a very lonely, very scary time.
 
My husband is a full time Communications Chief in the Air National Guard, Nancy. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you. How old were you at the time of your diagnosis? I am 53 which seems pretty old but, as I think back, I've had some odd events since my 30's that I always chalked up to something else. I'm so thankful that I found this website and so grateful for the support and encouragement.
 
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