Weight Loss + Extreme Fatigue

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Starburst

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I was just wondering if anyone has experienced weight loss on any particular seizure medication. My son, who is 18, has lost 15 or 20 pounds in recent months, and he is also extremely tired. He comes home from school each day, throws himself on his bed, and immediately falls into a deep sleep for hours. He is taking a bunch of different medications, so his doctor said we'll taper down on a couple of them to see if they are the cause for the weight loss. If not, he said we'd do some blood tests to check for other things.

Curious about what "other things" might be, I did a bit of Googling and found that weight loss combined with fatigue is sometimes a sign of cancer. And something I did not know is that even cancers like leukemia may be the cause for seizures. Now I can't help but wonder if this is the reason for my son's sudden epilepsy and decline in health. As a mom, I guess I can't help imagining the worst.

So, although I know we have to work with the doctor on this and keep him updated regarding my son's symptoms, I was interested to know if anyone here has experienced such dramatic weight loss and what the cause was.
 
I know I read somewhere that a bunch of AED's generally cause weight gain, but in my almost first full week on Keppra I've dropped 8 pounds. (not that I couldn't stand to lose it) I haven't had an appetite either. I didn't have any weight changes on Tegretol, but I don't think it affected my appetite either.

Is your son eating normally or maybe skipping meals or just getting smaller portions? Also some of it could be water if he's not drinking enough.

Most AED's cause fatigue and just down-right tiredness. As exhausted as one makes me feel I can't imagine what stacking a bunch of top of each other would be like.
 
One AED, Topamax, (Dopemax) is known for rapid weight loss and memory loss. Years ago when I first started taking it on a higher dose, I lost 25 lbs. within 2 months and some days couldn't remember my own phone #.

Another thing to consider; Some meds could possibly trigger low blood sugar, as do some of the seizure meds. Low blood sugar does make a person very, very tired and if really low can sometimes bring on seizures.

Is your son on any other meds besides AEDs? Has your son's dr. checked him out for low blood sugar or diabetes? If it turns out to be diabetes, that definitely can cause weight loss and extreme fatigue.

I was on a med used for bi-polar disorder and that is what brought on Type 1 Diabetes for me. The symptoms are rapid weight loss, confusion, blurred vision, extremely tired..... felt like I didn't get any sleep.
 
Also blood test for vitamin definecy I have just been diagnosed with pernicious anemia which caused terrible fatigue (alongside the usual epilepsy med side effects).

Q
 
There is no way to scare the crap out of yourself more than anything other than googling illness. The other day I could have sworn I was bit by a brown recluse. :roflmao:

I sleep a lot and I slept even more when I had just stared Depakote. 13 hours a night to be exact. That much sleep is not much time to eat.

I still can't gain weight. I'm 27 and weigh 125. I just ate a bunch of pasta. I won't gain an ounce in the end. I'm pretty sure it would be the same without any medicine for me.
 
Starburst,

I forgot to mention, have his thyroid checked, as thyroid problems can cause fatigue and lots of folks with E do have thyroid problems, too. I have that as well................. but they can all be fixed, so DON'T over worry yourself.
 
Since being switched to all Keppra, 3,000 mg p/day, I've been wiped out all the time. Usually around hour 8 into a dose I crash, and could (and have) slept for hours. It's like that every day. Last neuro told me to drink more coffee.....that's one of many reasons he's no longer my doctor...but I digress. I've also lost around 10 lbs since switching, and don't nave much of an appetite.
 
Has his b-12 level been checked.

Anti seizures meds. play a role in our vitamins.

I couldn't get out bed. to cook, clean, etc. it was my b12 low
 
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