Depakote & Lamictal = heartburn & sour stomach. suggestions?

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KimHen5

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Hi everyone! My 11 yr old daughter Ellie (JME) has started the transition from Depakote to Lamictal & has been experiencing lots of heartburn & general sour stomach. She also complains of her eyes hurting way back inside her head, but she has been saying that for quite awhile. Sometimes she will lose her appetite because she notices a smell or taste in her mouth that just turns her stomach.

So my ? is does anyone else experience this? Any tips? We have been giving her antacids just before a meal but that doesn't seem to be working.

Don't get me wrong, I'll take this issue over seizure any day, I would just like to help her out in any way I can. Thanks!
 
I've been on Lamictal for four years now, without any stomach issues. In fact it was the med that I was on before then -- Zonegran -- that did a number on my stomach, very similar to what you describe. Which doesn't rule out the Lamictal as the cause. Anti-seizure meds are very powerful and affect people in all sorts of ways.

Antacids aren't a great way to go for the sour stomach, better to eat foods that are "base" rather than acid,. I found that eating watermelon helped me, also hard-boiled eggs (egg-whites are more base than acid). Bananas. Milk/yogurt or other dairy products (ice cream!) if she likes them. Graham crackers are really good -- tasty and non-acid. If she's taking vitamins (other than calcium), hold off on them for a bit to see if that helps.

And if the sour stomach persists, check in with her doctor. It's not some thing you want her to have over the long-term.
 
Thank you Nakamova - I will definitely try these. And thank you for always sharing your wealth of knowledge, I so appreciate it!
 
i been on lamitcal for along time but recently i been getting heartburn..i found milk helps but not always,i get the hurting eyes but not sure if it same as your childs..i think you should see dr
 
Fresh celery is a miracle cure for heart-burn and I found 1/2 cup of soymilk to be wonderful for instant relief too! Best of luck and please post how its going after a trial. Thanks.
 
I had problems first getting used to Depakote and eating crackers and drinking milk with the meds when I took them always helped me.
 
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