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Depakote & an inflammed liver

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Posted 5/21/2005 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Is an inflammed liver hepatitis?

I just got my blood work done. My depakote levels are stable, but my liver is minimal inflammed. Doctor wants to see me asap.


I've been nausaus for the last week.  I'm feeling it now.


I've lost 12lbs since I've been on depakote, now I'm afraid he will change my meds. :(

Posted 5/21/2005 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I've been searching I think maybe Im dealing with hepatotoxicity.

I have to go in on Monday. I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous.
Posted 5/22/2005 4:57 AM (GMT 0)

Chassie-

It is nerve-racking to have to wait another two days to get more information about the liver problem, but , as Jen says, liver inflammation means many things and you might be losing a lot of sleep just because you are worrying about the worse possible outcome.  Anyone on seizure meds has to deal with the possibility of changes in the liver enzymes on the blood tests, so you have the kind of doctor that knows the importance of following up any abnormal tests like that.  

The best way you can help yourself is to take care of yourself!  Since Monday won't get here any sooner if you worry more, you should try to enjoy your Sunday, do something to relax your mind.  Try taking a walk, listening to music, anything to take your mind OFF worrying. 

Good Luck Monday...I'll be thinking of you...   Glenda :-)

Posted 5/23/2005 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Chassie
Please dont let this upset you (been there/done that...you'll just make yourself sick and thats a really bad place to be), Glenda makes a great point this could be many different things, and I would like to add in that I just came off of Depakote myself and that stuff really plays with you, but it was the only thing at the time that would stop my seizures; I was not use to how it made you feel and the many different ways your body reacted to it...I mean WOW! If it makes you feel better you're not alone I have had liver alerts and they can be "unnerving" to say the least so dont get upset until all the lab work is back.
Posted 5/23/2005 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Chassie
I didnt say anything in my last post (my meds are so screwing with me right now so its hard to type but I really want you to know that this is difficult to deal with but is not the end nad I guess more importantly dont be scared) but the last time I had this problem my skin turned this yellowish color and I was very nausiated and it was not like the other test that came back abnormal. There was a lot of overreacting and justifiably so; as it turned out it was just a medication change that fixed it; you see it was an high level of enzymes in my liver that was caused from my tegretol but everyone swore up and down it was Hepatitus.
Its all good; take it one day at a time.
Steve
Posted 5/23/2005 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much. This support means alot to me.

I had to bump up my doctor's appt. to an earlier time today, because I was just so sick I couldn't stand it. I feel asleep 5x's inthe waiting room, fell off the scale because I was dizzy.

Yep embarrassing.

Okay the good news is, my liver is just a lil inflammed. No hepatitis. But my doctor wants me to drink NO liquor which I told him I'm not a drinker anyway.

He WAS going to keep me on the depakote, until I told him that I had the flu (like symptoms) for a week now. He felt my stomach and could tell, it was tender. I told him I've been a miserable soul for the last week. I can't go on that way.

So he decided to change me, but before he could make a suggestion, I did.

I asked if it was possible, if I can try topamax? He said "Lemme see if it can be taken with your type of seizure"

He came back with a 3 wk sample, and I go back in 3 weeks :) New blood work, new meds. I am hoping for hope.

My mom is on topamax for 2 months now and she already lost 30lbs.

I told the doc, its important that he doesn't put me on any med, that will have a chance of weight gain, since I don't need any help in that dept.

So all we can do is hope and pray this is the answer.

And more importantly, hope that I feel better, and my seizures go away completely.

He had asked if the depakote helped with the seizures. I said "For the most part, yes....but they still come on, during stressful situations"

Again, I want to thank you all. It feels really good to talk to people that just know what you are going thru. I cried twice today, and they are like why? But I'm sure you guys can understand why.
Posted 5/23/2005 11:03 PM (GMT 0)

Chassie-

I'm glad your liver tests don't indicate another problem you have to deal with.  If you go with Topamax you won't have the liver problems like a lot of other meds.  I was on Topamax last year and  had weight loss too.  I had to stop it due to numbness and painful pins and needle feelings in my hands and feet.  It really did wonders for my seizure control though.  I hope you do ok on it.  I know a lot of people that really like it.

Hope you are feeling better from the nausea thing soon.  Maybe try some warm tea?

(((HUGS)))     Glenda :-)

Posted 5/24/2005 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Chassie thats awesome to hear! I am so glad for you I know you will rest easy now. Glenda you are simply an all inspiring voice of reason...thanks for showing up at this site.
Steve
Posted 5/24/2005 8:06 PM (GMT 0)

Thanx, Steve. 

Sometimes when I get caught up in thinking about my problems with epilepsy, YOUR comments remind ME that there is a whole world out there, and I'M the one that needs to get out of my chair if I want to ENJOY it!  

Glenda :-)

Posted 5/25/2005 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks y'all. :)

I'm on topamax for the 2nd day, I'm having some minor side effects, but for the most part its working, no seizures, *yet* :)
Posted 5/26/2005 2:28 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Chassie-

It took about a month for me to get up to my full dose of Topamax.  The seizure control I noticed started working within a week however.  I noticed the numbness and pins and needles feeling in my feet first and then my hands at about 6 weeks after starting it.  By 3 months or so, I was suffering so much I begged the doctor to take me off it.  By the time I stopped taking it, I had lost about 15 pounds.  (I didn't need to lose it-I'm underweight already).   I was switched to Zonegran (works similar to Topamax) and the numbness and pins and needles feeling went away, but I never regained the weight. 

If it wasn't for the side effects, I'd still be on it.  Hope it works for you!   Glenda :-)

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