ca someone tel me about our levels?? while on medications? - Epilepsy Message Board

vickie45 · 04-13-2008, 01:34 PM

hi ,im asking aout levels because i been on depakote xr 500 mgs in am and 500mgs in pm whitch is 1000mgs a day ,and my dr said something like 15% to 20% but i dont know what that means im hving them done this week i went to my daughters dr appt which was inside hospital and had a bad seizure they checked my leves and it said ranges were 50-100 mine was 58 what does this mean ? and i been having more and more seizures even though im on the depakote xr 1000mgs its scarring me im calling my dr tomorrow about this hoping to get in before april 23rd im getting dizzy again and i keep having them seizures and they are worse then before .i shake all over my eyes flicker really bad my lips feels like they are glued shut i moan and make screeming noises my mouth shivers like im cold but im not and i also think depakote is causeing the depression (moodswings) i started back on my HRT again nd my moods are getting somewhat better i get so crabby on the depakote and i cant handle it i hope my dr changes me i have heard others say depakote dont work as well as some of the other medications and does my levels of 58 mean my dose is too high or what or will my dr know more then the ER DID that was the first time a hospital ever checked me out before, i felt it comeing though and i didnt evn know where i was till they told me now thats terrifing and i wanted to be in the room with my daughter at her appt my husband had to go in.also i ben having blurry eyes too.
can anyone on the boards please help me???please and tell me what all this means.
vickie

dogmom · 04-13-2008, 03:31 PM

Well, if the range is 50-100 and yhou're at 58, then you aren't at a toxic level! If anything, I would think your doctor may increase the dosage. I don't hold much stock in levels, as there are so many variables...including the fact that every body reacts differrently. Are you taking any anti-anxiety meds for your panic attacks? If not, you may benefit greatly from Lorazapam or Klonopin....(I think that's what it's called!) Hang in there...hopefully your doc can offer better insight.

Travis from MN · 04-13-2008, 04:25 PM

If you were at 58 and low side is 50 that COULD MEAN a few things.

First of all, your levels are low, but within the range; not knowing your normal levels.

Secondly, if seizures are happening and there is room to increase, the doctors tend to do that (increase) and see if that helps.

Third, they would look at other meds you are on to see if there is any interactions that may be causing problems or issues with the medications or shortening the medications lifespan in a persons system.

My GUESS, and I stress that word GUESS is based on the low end of satisfactory level they may want to increase your dose if your seizures are not in a state of "control".

Good luck, hope that was a random episode.

--Travis

vickie45 · 04-13-2008, 10:15 PM

dogmom
yes i take 1 mgs xanax and thats the only ones that have helped me i tried both of the ones you mentioned above and couldnt handle hey didnt calm me down at all xanax is the only one that seems to help me i take 3 a day 1 mgs .and im also having seizures in my sleep as well and le me tel you its scarry i hate living with this i try telling my sister about them and she dont understand she said why are you still having them if your on medication i said i dont know she said her friend had seizures and once she was put on medication hers stopped i said everyone is different.
vickie
also thank you travis for your reply as well all this is so confusing does this sound like i may have EP or just a seizure disorder???

soccerschmee14 · 04-14-2008, 09:34 PM

58 is definitely on the low side. i would think that you have quite a bit of room to increase your levels unless your having side effects or something. im actually on 1250 mg of depakote and my levels are above 100, maybe 115 if i remember right. i do have some side effects such as hand tremors and hair loss but its working so nothing is changing at the moment. i also have to take into account that im also on topamax and i think that raises depakote levels. i would think about increasing your dose if your still having szs.