Chemical Imbalance

[VSS]

I am 52, I had stroke ten years ago. Since then I have become an epilepsy patient. Recently I have CSF leakage too. I am on the following medications - dialantion 100, sodium valprate 500 Mg, Tegretal 200 Mg. livipril 500 mg, lonazep 0.5mg.(MORNING). sodium valprate 500 Mg, Tegretal 200 Mg. dialantion 100 mg (AFTER NOON). dialantion 100, sodium valprate 500 Mg, Tegretal 200 Mg. livipril 500 mg, lonazep 0.5mg.(BED TIME). Of late I the notice the symptoms are quite different. Seizures occurs 2 - 3 times in a day and I faint after seizure. Following seizure I tend to sleep for more than day. This is happening for the past 3 months. Earlier I can sense seizure symptoms and take precautions accordingly. Nowadays seizure occurs suddenly, , I am not aware of its symptoms. I am getting my blood tested for Phenyton, carbomyzepine and sodium valporate. Most often the test shows these reading way below the normal levels. Let me know if anyone has similar medical history.

 

[Dolores]

I only take Dilantin & Phenobarbital. While my Phenobarbital levels remain consistent, my Dilantin levels have a tendency to fluctuate. If it goes too high all the side effects are increased especially the dizziness & lack of coordination. I get a blood test and then dial back the Dilantin after discussing dosages with my doctor.

I will have a Gran Mal seizure if my levels fall too low. I've never known when I was about to have a seizure. I do get a sensation immediately before it happens but there is no time to do, or stop doing, anything. So since I can't tell when I'm under-dosing I like to keep my Dilantin levels at the higher end of the therapeutic range, around 16 or 17. I've been as high as 40 (the range is 10 to 20) and have never had a seizure over-dosing.

I've kept track of my levels for over 10 years specifically because I want to track the levels I've been at and the dosages I've been taking.

Right now I'm at 400 mg/day on Sunday & Thursday, 300 mg/day the rest to the week.

I do hope you are able to find the mix and amount of medication that works for you.

 

[VSS]

Thanks for the reply. My Dilantin level is 2.26 last week after taking all heavy dosage, including Foslin injection.

 

[Dolores]

I'm no doctor however I wonder the usefulness of takng a drug and not even being within the thereapeutic range. I had multiple seizures when my Dilantin level fell to 3. I do know that many drugs interact with Dilantin and either raise or lower the blood levels. So I did a quick drug interactions check using MedScape and your medications. Seems they all interact and can increase or decrease the levels of the other drugs.

I think I would want the doctor to explain exactly why so many medicines are prescribed, what each is expected to address and why blood levels are continually below the therapeutic level.

Wishing you all the best.