Epilin/ sodium valproate

Thanks Alexander,

My husband was on 1200 m.g but the A&E doctors increased it to 2000 without even consulting his neurologists after he was taken to A&E after couple fits over the week end.

So I presumed may be sodium valproate is not such a strong medication after all which need to be carefully reviewed and prescribed by a neurologist.

Do you think the same Alexander?

Thank you very much for your input,

G

They should not off done this before taking blood test's and talking with his neurologist then increasing his dose by a small amount first you should take this up with your husbands neurologist the next time you have appointment with him hope this is of some help

one other thing I meant to tell you 2500mg Is the highest level of sodium valproate a day you can be put on just so you know

Hi again Gina,

Just a quick note on this...

Sodium Valproate, you state he was on 1,200mg then increased to 2,000mg by A&E Staff & Doctors. This is not the correct procedure for upping Sodium Valproate, and in some cases, it is a strong medication but will cause an adverse effect. So, instead of lowering Seizures it will cause a seizure, or more problems with the stomach.

Staff that can only change this medication by such a large dosage should be either Epileptic Specialists or Consultant Neurologists. An A&E Doctor is not authorized to change drugs by huge amounts, unless they have got permission from a Consultant Neurologist or an Epileptic Specialist.

I would mentioned this to your husband's consultant - they should have a strict policy in place regarding such cases.

For me, to have any changes in medications it must come from the Head of Neurology, not even is team members are allowed to make such changes. Then again, altering any medication I take can have serious effects.

Regards,

Les.

Thank you very much Alexander,

Have a lovely day,

G

Hi Les,

Thank you very much again for your input.

So, you are saying to increase your dose from 300 to 500 mg is not a small insignificant increase, but rather significant amount?

I will try to get through the nurse today and tell them what happened in A&E, I don't think I can get through to neurologist or even to registrar.

Les, do you know if Epilim causes memory lapses and slowing down of your brain? My husband has been taking it for the last one and half years and gradually I have noticed his memory is going down. But since his last 2 fits which happened on last thrursday and Friday I have noticed a significant change in him compared to previous days. He is slower, confusing things, can't remember what happened yesterday and etc...

May be its Epilim's side effects?

Thank you Les,

G

yes it has caused me long term memory loss and remember a good balanced diet can help and plenty of flued

Sodium Valproate along with Epilepsy, even plays with my mind. I have days where I can forget what I done a few days ago, in extreme cases my wife can give me a shopping list of 4 items - by the time I have walked to the car to the shop (which is about 4-5 metres) the list I may have dropped or put in my pocket, the only thing I can remember is the number 4, because it showed 4 items. But in the shop I have no idea what I want, and just pick 4 items I think it was... course 99% of the time, it is wrong. I do have very bad memory problems - that bad now I have to literally write everything down.

Regards,

Les.

Hi Les,

Thank you very much for sharing. Do you think your lapse of memory is due to taking epilim on prolonged periods?

Because I don't know whether my husband's lapse of memory is a side effect of epilim or it's an onset of dimentia or Alzheimer's I don't know. If it's a side effect of medication then we ought to be thinking to reduce them gradually, is that right?

Thanks Les,

Take Care,

G

Hi Gina,

That question is one that I am dealing with at the moment. My doctor at first suggested I do a test which is actually used by UK Doctors on this website.

When I had the test, there were parts that confused me, hence I got the answers wrong. To me the answers I gave were correct, but it was due to the way the question was set up. I could not grasp it from the right perspective as a normal person would – when my doctor asked me how I was getting to the answer I gave she said, the question is not indicating to answer it in that way. 

Anyway, she referred me to the Mental Health Intermediate Care Team which I have to attend on the 7th July 2015. The letter came with a questionnaire, basically they want to find out if the problem is medication or the onset of Dementia or Alzheimer's. They have not made any changes to my medication in any way since referring me, this was to ensure everything stays the same until they know the results from MHICT assessment.

I can give you the addresses of both Questionnaires that they use in the referral, which might help you with your husband. I will PM both to you, one is on this website but the other detailed one isn’t on here.

So, at the moment cannot Yes, or No to the question you asked – but I will be able to soon. Sodium Valproate does affect many people in different ways, these days is becoming less prescribed to new cases of people with Epilepsy.

You can try the questions on your husband, I have to fill the questionnaire in 2 weeks before the appointment, so anytime now really.

Regards,

Les.

There is a possibleity of that depending on who high a dose he is put on as I am on 2400mg a day