Pregnancy while on AEs and taking folic acid question

[PSUgirl2009]

I feel like this is a ridiculous question, but I'm going to ask anyway.

For the girls who got pregnant and took an elevated amount of folic acid (3mgs or higher), did you neurologist/OBGyn have you take the elevated folic acid plus a prenatal, or just a multi-vitamin?

If it was a prenatal, was it one with folic acid or without it? What was the name of it?

My neurologist told me that she wants me to start taking 3mg of folic acid daily two months prior to trying to conceive. I just was confused on what to do.

 

[jemsister]

I took 2 mgs of folic acid in addition to a prenatal vitamin. I was on Trileptal with both pregnancies, and I did the same for both. They actually recommended that I always take 2 mgs of folic acid even if I'm not planning to get pregnant, just in case. Oh, and I didn't get a special prenatal, just an OTC prenatal, and I think it had 800 mcgs of folic.

 

[momof3boys]

I cant recall the amount of Folic Acid I took, I know it was more than the average pregnant woman would take. But I also took a prenatal vitamin too... I just cant seem to remember the exact name of it! sorry!

 

[PSUgirl2009]

Thanks for your responses, girls. Once I get closer to the end of my tapering off of Carbamazepine (in about 3 weeks), I'll clarify with the doctor and the pharmacist to make sure what I'm doing is safe. I currently really like the prenatal I'm taking (prenatal + DHA). It's massive in size, but it doesn't make me feel sick, which I know can happen with many of them.

 

[KarenB]

It's a good idea to take folic acid supplements all the time because some of the AEDs cause depletion.

I think it's the iron in some of the multi-vitamins that causes one to feel ill (that can also cause constipation when pregnant). Helps to take it at the end of a meal.

 

[Hand of Blood]

i think i took 5 of folic acid and they made me take it my whole pregnancy

 

[guspoppy]

im trying for a baby and was recommended taking folic acid vitamin and a conception vitamin which has folic acid in too.

 

[KCOZ]

I have two little boys now and have had epilepsy since I was 12 (now32). My neurologist has had me on a 5mg frolic acid supplement since I was 15 when i changed medication. When you body processes certain types of meds in the liver it also chucks out additional vitamins and minerals as by-products. Some epileptic meds are very harsh are very harsh on stripping frolic acid, calcium and iron from the body. Therefore even more so when you are pregnant it is very important to get additional amounts in excess to non epileptic mothers. My doctor has retained me on supplements for a long period which has reduced side effects and other non epileptic problems.