About seven years ago I took Epilim (sodium valproate) and it gave me spells of feeling feint, to the extent that I couldn't keep up with ordinary life. Now, having tried every other option, I'm back on it. I was drowsy for the first two months, and then started feeling a little feint in the mornings (I take it at night.) It has been getting worse and, on a recent trip to visit family, I really struggled to keep up with normal people's activity levels. At least at home I work seated, so it's not too much of a problem but I would like to have enough energy to live normally. I was wondering if anyone had any solutions? I've just gone to the GP and he's done a bunch of tests to see if there is anything going wrong but I haven't heard back yet. We did full blood count, thyroid, U and E and insulin. My blood pressure is relatively low but not low enough to make me feel ill. I've tried Energade and rehydrate, which doesn't work at all.
Solutions for Epilim low blood pressure/hypoglyceamia?
- Thread starter kirsten
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Have you tried Epilim Chrono? The standard E/C ones give me all the symptoms you describe, but they do cost more so they tend to start you on the cheap ones first. Only when you go back and complain of the side effects do they offer you the more expensive option.
What strength of Epilim are you currently taking?
What strength of Epilim are you currently taking?
I have never heard of epilim chrono. When I google it, all I come up with is that it is a sustained release version of epilim. Is that true or are there other differences?
I take the enteric coated ones and I'm on 1000 mg. That is giving me a good level: 6.5.
I take the enteric coated ones and I'm on 1000 mg. That is giving me a good level: 6.5.
Besides being a prolonged release formulation, the Chrono also contain a mix of sodium valproate and valproic acid, the latter producing less of the side effects you describe.
I take 1000mg twice a day and after switching to the Chrono, there was a huge difference after just one dose. When they put me back on the E/C, the first few days I slept about 18 hours a day. Just couldn't keep my eyes open for more than a few minutes without nodding off.
I have my inaugural appointment with a neurologist in three weeks' time and hope to be back on the Chrono - or something different - shortly thereafter.
I take 1000mg twice a day and after switching to the Chrono, there was a huge difference after just one dose. When they put me back on the E/C, the first few days I slept about 18 hours a day. Just couldn't keep my eyes open for more than a few minutes without nodding off.
I have my inaugural appointment with a neurologist in three weeks' time and hope to be back on the Chrono - or something different - shortly thereafter.
I am currently taking Epilim Gastro-Resistant (aka E/C), which according to the box contains sodium valproate only.
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/6781/SPC/Epilim+500+Gastro-resistant
And here's a link to the Chrono tablets -
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/6779/SPC/Epilim+Chrono+500mg
There is another version called Epilim Chronosphere 500mg, which contain a mix of sodium valproate and valproic acid, but that's in sachets containing granules.
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/26139/SPC/Epilim+Chronosphere+500mg
You are taking Epilim in tablet form - or did I just assume that?
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/6781/SPC/Epilim+500+Gastro-resistant
And here's a link to the Chrono tablets -
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/6779/SPC/Epilim+Chrono+500mg
There is another version called Epilim Chronosphere 500mg, which contain a mix of sodium valproate and valproic acid, but that's in sachets containing granules.
http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/26139/SPC/Epilim+Chronosphere+500mg
You are taking Epilim in tablet form - or did I just assume that?
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So the UK/SA versions have a different formulation, despite sharing the same name and manufacturer (i.e. Sanofi) - that makes perfect sense, not. 
Like I said earlier, I have the same side effects, but you're taking something I have no direct experience of.
I still think that Epilim Chrono is worth trying. It costs 5 times as much as ordinary Epilim, so why would it exist if there was no advantage over the standard Epilim? And from personal experience, I can tell you it has considerably less side effects.
Your weight is also quite important in determining the correct dosage. You should be taking between 20-30mg per KG of body weight, preferably <= 20 for TLE. If you're at the higher end of that range, or have recently lost a significant amount of weight then perhaps it's time that your neurologist re-evaluated your dosage.
Like I said earlier, I have the same side effects, but you're taking something I have no direct experience of.
I still think that Epilim Chrono is worth trying. It costs 5 times as much as ordinary Epilim, so why would it exist if there was no advantage over the standard Epilim? And from personal experience, I can tell you it has considerably less side effects.
Your weight is also quite important in determining the correct dosage. You should be taking between 20-30mg per KG of body weight, preferably <= 20 for TLE. If you're at the higher end of that range, or have recently lost a significant amount of weight then perhaps it's time that your neurologist re-evaluated your dosage.