Stomach issues with Meds

[kayaker4157]

Hi Everyone,
Just curious if anyone else has had or heard about stomach/intestinal issues with combinations of their meds. Between Feb to early-April, lamictal was slowly added to the zonegran I take. But since mid-June I have baffled ER docs, primary care drs, GI specialists, and surgeons I have seen for constant pain/pressure on my right side, nauseousness and stomach cramps. The side pain sometimes continues back to my right kidney. Ironically enough, all my auras start in my stomach too. All tests (CT scans and lots of others, showed no stones and all ok with major stuff like kidneys, apppendix, gall bladder, etc) but showed inflammation in intestines. So I changed diet and cut out all red meat and lactose products for the first 3 weeks and no change in pain level. All specialists baffled as to what's causing this inflammation and pain for nearly 6 weeks now. I'm wondering if could be fairly new combo of zonegran and lamicatal in my system. Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions that I could discuss with drs to try and get to the bottom of this? Thank you - Anne

 

[Nakamova]

I had stomach problems with Zonegran. Not only was it an appetite suppressant, but my stomach hurt all the time. I had the most luck with foods that were non-acid causing (watermelon was a winner). I stopped taking my B vitamins, because the acid in them was hard on my stomach too. I eventually transitioned onto Lamictal, while transitioning OFF the Zonegran. But no stomach issues when I was on both. And none on the Lamictal alone.

Have you tried experimenting with when you take the meds, and with meals or without? How about taking the new Lamictal XR (extended release)?

Best,
Nakamova

 

[LuvMyTwins]

I've had a lot of stomach issues due to meds. Here's the advice that I was given:

1. Keep a journal of what you eat and how you feel afterward
2. Eat every two hours---try juicing greens for extra enzymes
3. Yoga and more yoga--it de-stresses the body and allows for happy stuff to go through (seratonin)---it also helps with digestion
4. Eat something with your meds---I have the most problems with Lamictal and need to eat when taking it

Good Luck!

 

[Bernard]

I know of several people who have reported having stomach problems with zonegran.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/zonegran-579/ (hard to believe this thread is 4 years old!)

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/topamax-zonegran-917/