Valproic Acid Side Effects

Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy Forums

Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy forums - a peer support community for folks dealing (directly or indirectly) with seizure disorders. You can visit the forum page to see the list of forum nodes (categories/rooms) for topics.

Please have a look around and if you like what you see, please consider registering an account and joining the discussions. When you register an account and log in, you may enjoy additional benefits including no ads, access to members only (ie. private) forum nodes and more. Registering an account is free - you have nothing to lose!

S

Starburst

New
Messages
163
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Just wondering what people's experiences have been while taking Valproic acid.

My son (age 18 ) is currently taking 400mg Lamictal and 1500mg Valproic acid per day. Previously, he was taking 1000 mg of Valproic acid, which the doctor increased to 1500 because his seizures were not under control.

Two weeks after the increase, my son began having several strange symptoms. He suddenly gets dizzy and vomits whenever he leaves the house. His hands shake, and he gets double vision. The symptoms are not continuous but appear almost on a weekly basis. Besides this, the seizures still aren't controlled. All bloodwork is normal.

The doctor said the reason for the symptoms may be the increase in Valproic acid, so we may go down to 1000 mg again.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Am really worried about my son now when he leaves the house. It is so hard for him to vomit in front of people outside, at school, etc. I was worried these symptoms could indicate a tumor, but the doctor did not mention anything like that.
 
Yes ive had some off the above experiences with Valporic Acid,been dizzy,double vision on a few occasions.I was on 2000mg but have put myself down to 1000mg and feel a hell off a lot better.Im also on 800mg off Tegretol.I just dont feel so groggy anymore which is great,and hopefully won,t have any more seizures.

Good Luck,but if anyone else posts im sure you will get the same answers.
 
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I have been worried sick this month, and it helps a little to know that these problems could definitely be medication related.
 
If the Valporic Acid is slow release like mine,ive found myself vomiting and the Valporic has come up,white coloured.So it might be something to talk to your doctor about.
 
Thanks, Crash. I only saw him vomit one time and it was a flourescent green color that looked very unnatural and strange.

We reduced the VA to 1000 mg and have now added Keppra. I am hopeful but tired of trying different medications.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom