Hi Guys, Joyful here. Anyone out there ever on Depakote but got off after a while? My husband and I are still hoping to concieve but we both know I have to get off of these meds. Anyone out there ever been through pregnancy after taking Depakote/
Want to get off Depakote - hoping to conceive...
- Thread starter Joyful
- Start date
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!
Depakote is one of the two meds I take. I'm trying to get off of both of them but decided to go for getting off the phenobarbitol first since it has a slower clearance rate. Once the pheno is well and truly out then I'm going to work on the depakote.
The good thing about depakote is that it does clear out pretty fast, a few days as opposed to the 2-3 weeks for the pheno.
The good thing about depakote is that it does clear out pretty fast, a few days as opposed to the 2-3 weeks for the pheno.
Really? I didn't know that about Depakote. Phenobarbitol was the first med. I ever took. While it controlled the seizures, it "knocked me out" I slept through everything!
I think since I was so little the drug was too powerful, I don't know.
One thing that worries me is that I've been on Depakote for so long (over 30 yr.s) won't that make it harder to get off of?
I think since I was so little the drug was too powerful, I don't know.
One thing that worries me is that I've been on Depakote for so long (over 30 yr.s) won't that make it harder to get off of?
- Messages
- 5,552
- Reaction score
- 32
- Points
- 213
Joyful,
Are you sure you want to get off AEDs while pregnant? Have you discussed this with your neuro and OB/GYN? The changes in a woman's body, the hormonal changes, can change the seizure effects, too. For some women, the seizures dissipate during this time, for others, hormones make seizures worse. And have you thought about what you would do after a child is born as far as meds? Think about the hormonal changes then. That could effect your seizure outcome, too.
For more info:
http://www.epilepsy.com/information/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy
Are you sure you want to get off AEDs while pregnant? Have you discussed this with your neuro and OB/GYN? The changes in a woman's body, the hormonal changes, can change the seizure effects, too. For some women, the seizures dissipate during this time, for others, hormones make seizures worse. And have you thought about what you would do after a child is born as far as meds? Think about the hormonal changes then. That could effect your seizure outcome, too.
For more info:
http://www.epilepsy.com/information/women/epilepsy-and-pregnancy
Thanks for the link. Yes, I am aware of this. I am not pregnant, but want to be. My husband and I are working together w/ my neuro. and also a naturopath Dr. Together we are making the necessary changes, paleo diet, herbal remedies, etc. to try to wean me off of Depakote, at least.
I have already gone from 4000mg of Depakote a day to 2500mg. a day(over a period of yrs. ) and Dilantin has recently been reduced from 230mg. a day to 130mg. My main concern is to try to get off of Depakote, seeing as it is the most harmful.
I am also taking Armor Thyroid for hypothyroidism. It is the most natural.
I have not mentioned it to my gyn other than a few years ago when I thought I was preg. (wasn't) He told me that if I did wan't to become preg. in the future, I would have to first get off of Depakote. That was six yrs. ago.
As things stand now, I am still trying to get off of Depakote - it has been reduced over the years, but is still an incredible amt. of med. to be taking while preg. Not to mention all of the other meds. I am on.
I do have an appt. w/ my gyn next Thurs. Maybe I will bring this up again.
I have already gone from 4000mg of Depakote a day to 2500mg. a day(over a period of yrs. ) and Dilantin has recently been reduced from 230mg. a day to 130mg. My main concern is to try to get off of Depakote, seeing as it is the most harmful.
I am also taking Armor Thyroid for hypothyroidism. It is the most natural.
I have not mentioned it to my gyn other than a few years ago when I thought I was preg. (wasn't) He told me that if I did wan't to become preg. in the future, I would have to first get off of Depakote. That was six yrs. ago.
As things stand now, I am still trying to get off of Depakote - it has been reduced over the years, but is still an incredible amt. of med. to be taking while preg. Not to mention all of the other meds. I am on.
I do have an appt. w/ my gyn next Thurs. Maybe I will bring this up again.
That's some very good progress.:clap:
- Messages
- 17,355
- Reaction score
- 756
- Points
- 263
You probably know this already Joyful, but taking folic acid should be part of your routine even after you get off the Depakote and while you are trying to conceive. It's especially crucial in the first few months of a pregnancy.
I'm rooting for you, but if for some reason you have seizures as you're tapering off the Depakote or once you're off altogether, there are other seizure meds that are considered safer, and many many women have had successful pregnancies while taking them.
I'm rooting for you, but if for some reason you have seizures as you're tapering off the Depakote or once you're off altogether, there are other seizure meds that are considered safer, and many many women have had successful pregnancies while taking them.
- Messages
- 5,552
- Reaction score
- 32
- Points
- 213
:agree: I am one of those women. I now have two grown, healthy, educated kids. I took Dilantin during both pregnancies. At the time, there weren't as many options as now.
And I took folic acid during both pregnancies.
Last edited:
Oh, it is so refreshing to hear this! Yes, I knew about the folic acid, thanks. I was not sure about getting pregnant while on medication and what that might do to the baby. Then again, I know a seizure would be harmful as well. Thanks Cint for giving me a bit more hope. I really hope this will work. The diet, and supplements,I mean.