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Leprechanlacy

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Hi Everyone,

I started having seizures approximately 12 yrs ago, when I was 21-22. Started when I was stressed out. Doc called it a passing out spell. Until it happened again, this one involved jerking, the normal seizure motions. An EEG revealed abnormal brain waves, so I was started on Depakote. Depakote caused me to go from 150 to 240, in approximatel 7-9 months time. It was horrific. I asked my doc to switch meds while I was getting ready to be married to try to lose a bit of that weight before I got married. He switched me to Carbatrol. I seizured twice once Depakote was out of my system. He switched me back. I have maintained the 90 gain, so I have plateau'd. Still am not happy with the weight gain. I have learned that I must live Fat and Functional, rather than have ANY seizures at all. Totally afraid of them.
I hope to learn a lot from you all.

Thanks for listening.
Lacy :e:
 
Leprechanlacy said:
I have learned that I must live Fat and Functional, rather than have ANY seizures at all.
Click to expand...
????

My question, why can't you ask your doctor for any advice on the weight gain? Our daughter, who has a mental illness, was taking Risperdol and Depakote and she had a MASSIVE weight gain and once she plateued(sp) she actually started losing. I'm not saying the same would happen to you, but maybe, after a bit of time the same may happen to you? All I can say is, be a little careful, she had a rapid spike in her Cholesterol.

I would hope that your doctor would be able/willing to discuss your options. Good luck to you :)

Be well and safe my friends!
 
Talked to dr

I have already discussed changes with the doc. He is doing what I want, as I'm not sure I'm ready to make the change due to having seizures again. I'm afraid of that. He's asked if I'm willing to change meds to see if I'd drop the weight. At first, I thought, hey it can't be so bad, I should try it. Then it just sends me into worrying, and being a nervous wreck. All I need to have a seizure. I just wish the weight would come off. I eat no different from anyone else, just have NO metabolism. It's very depressing.

Lacy:poop::poop:
 
Oh, I understand that completely as I am around 345 - 360 and about 5'11" and have been overweight most all my adult life. :(

Yeah, our daughter, who is 9yrs old, never changed her eating habits or her physical habits. Meds are strange and confusing things. I wish you luck and I can tell there are some caring and trustworthy people to confide in here. :D :rock:
 
Thanks!

Yep just been dealing with the changes in weight for 11 or so years. My hubby met me when I started gaining, so this is nothing new for him. We've been married for almost 10 yrs. He's the only person I truly worry about thinking different of me, and he loves me regardless.
Like I said, I'd rather be Fat and Functional!
Still hate Depakote!!!! Darn drug!

Lacy

:e::tdown:
 
Hi Lacy, welcome to the forum. :hello:

Functional is primary in importance, but there may yet be some door of opportunity you haven't opened that will allow you to maintain function while decreasing dependence on Depakote.

Make yourself at home here. :)
 
Weight gain is a well known side effect of Depakote. I understand you wanting to be seizure- free, but there are other health risks in weight gain, diabetes for one.

Having seizures and diabetes both are no fun at all.

I hope Depakote keeps working for your seizures.

Cindy
 
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Hi Lacy, and welcome!

I would suggest that you look into the information about alternative and complementary treatment strategies on this site. Some people have had success with diet and neurofeedback in reducing their seizures to a certain extent. It's possible that a similar approach might help raise your seizure threshold enough for you to lower your dose of Depakote, or try a different medication.

Best,
Nakamova
 
Yup, been

there, done that with the Depakote. URGGGGGG. Gave me GREAT control, like you, but boy oh boy, I gained over 100 pounds!!!

However, there was another problem for me, and one you want might to look into: my thyroid. Mine had become HYPOthyroid, or rather, it worked too slowly, and things METABOLIZED SLOWLY.

Your doctor would have to run a specific test to check for T3, T4 and TSH hormones.......to see if they're in line, too low, or too high. You might seriously consider having this checked out.....
 
Welcome Lacy
We have found seizure control with neurofeedback and by making nutritional changes.
It has opened our eyes to how the Standard American Diet is causing epidemic diseases.
 
Welcome Lacy,
I can see how this is frustrating to anyone. There is a vitamin that I know of that can increase you metabolism but before I type it I want to encourage you to investigate this before adding it to your diet. B6 can increase your metabolism but understand from what limited amount of knowledge I have that the maximum doseage recommended is 100mg per day. A higher amout could create some bad mental side affects.
Just wonder (unless I missed it) what kind of seizures do you have? I have noticed that the advice it a little better depending on your type of seizure. For instance some advise people to look into neurofeedback but someone like myself when I have a grand mal it happens at a snap of the finger.As much as I want a warning I get none.
Another reason to post the type of seizure is because there are always a few in here that have had the same you have. They can speak more to that type. Yes I did look at your profile but not everyone will go there. I wish I had more to offer other than I wish you the absolute best in trying to fina an answer that best fits you.

On a side note RobinN I have been around enough to say there is really no America Standard Diet but their sure is American laziness. Also on this site we have individuals from several other countries and epilepsy is not just an American problem it is a human condition. "Epidemic diseases" is a term I find very disturbing. I myself would like a little more information along with where you get that information from. Sorry to rant.
 
knothing said:
On a side note RobinN I have been around enough to say there is really no America Standard Diet but their sure is American laziness. Also on this site we have individuals from several other countries and epilepsy is not just an American problem it is a human condition. "Epidemic diseases" is a term I find very disturbing. I myself would like a little more information along with where you get that information from. Sorry to rant.
Click to expand...

I second that!!! :agree:
 
knothing said:
... For instance some advise people to look into neurofeedback but someone like myself when I have a grand mal it happens at a snap of the finger.As much as I want a warning I get none. ...
Click to expand...

Neurofeedback helps normalize brain function regardless of whatever type(s) of seizures you are experiencing.

Neurobehavioral techniques can be employed prior to a seizure occurring if you have any sort of awareness that one is imminent.
 
knothing said:
On a side note RobinN I have been around enough to say there is really no America Standard Diet but their sure is American laziness. Also on this site we have individuals from several other countries and epilepsy is not just an American problem it is a human condition. "Epidemic diseases" is a term I find very disturbing. I myself would like a little more information along with where you get that information from. Sorry to rant.
Click to expand...

cint said:
I second that!!!
Click to expand...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708193249.htm
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/355/21/2226
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/04/02/obesity-rates-part-two.aspx

I apologize about forgetting that I am involved in a world forum here. I am extremely sorry. I use a term "American Standard Diet" loosely that is being coined to mean the diet of Fast Foods, processed foods, etc. I know it is being marketed outside of the USA, I have seen it. I am just a bit perplexed at our inability to see how our nutrition is causing many of these diseases to get out of control.

I quickly pulled up those articles. I could pull up many more written by prominent doctors, however I am sure you could Google it just as well as I can. I am sorry if this touches a nerve. It is my opinion that we can throw all the money we want at healthcare reform, but if we don't get a handle on how we live our lives through nutrition and exercise, nothing is going to improve our situations. There are many contemporary Doctors that agree with this.

I hope I have answered your "issues" with what I wrote. If not please let me know. Otherwise we might just have to agree to disagree.
 
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Ahhh...depakote. Yes, I took that med for more then 10 years. And yes, I gained weight. I could look at cake and get heavier. After a while, depakote quit working for me. I'm not saying that that will happen to you, but you must understand that that is a possibility. I switched over to Dilantin. Now Dilantin works great for me, but for some people it's terrible. So chack with your doc. If your going to change meds, my best advice is to do it when you are under the least amount of stress. Go slowly, stay away from anything stressful, and take care of yourself. (Meaning watch your diet, make sure that your getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night, etc.) there is always the chance of seizures. especially when changing to a new med. so don't just think that you can take a different pill and that it will magically put an end to all seizures. Even when medication is working, breakthrough seizures are possible when we dont talk care of ourselves.
 
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