I have been on depakote to prevent seizures for three years now. As long as my blood levels of depakote have been normal I never have had a seizure.
I do not like the side effects of depakote that seem to occur.
I am 26 years old, am I set to be a depakote addict for life? Personally I would like to get off all the medication.
2006-09-29 16:20:33 · 10 answers · asked by Nick 5 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Perhaps I wasn't clear on this for everybody. I did not mean I am actually addicted to this stuff. Just just try to say I have been using it for a long time now. I think I am getting to be more dependant on it here.
2006-09-29 16:41:55 · update #1
Depakote is a very common anti-seizure medication (I've been in the pharmaceutical field for over 13 years now).
You should speak to your MD about the side effects. There are other options out there, but bottom line...if it's been keeping you level, it's not adviseable to mess with it.
What kind of side effects are you getting? What other medications, if any, have you tried?
Our patients who are on Depakote are on it for a long time....I can't recall anyone who discontinued it. But some of them did lower their dose and use other medications.
Only your doctor can decide...but make it a point to discuss it with him/her.
Good luck.
2006-09-29 16:24:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you are not a depakote addict. Addiction is a psycological dependance. You require this medication for a physical/medical condition.
Secondly, depending on the type of seizure disorder you have, how or when you deveolped it, you may be on depakote, or some kind of anti-convulsant, for the rest of your life.
Do not stop taking the medications just because you don't like the side effects. Discuss this with your physician and together you can work towards a solution.
2006-09-29 23:25:13 · answer #2 · answered by Kat 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't describe someone taking Depakote to prevent seizures as an addict, you have a medical condition that requires treatment, and you're taking appropriate treatment for it, you're no more an addict than a patient with high blood pressure is addicted to their antihypertensives.
As to the side effects, that's something that is best discussed with your neurologist. There are many antiseizure medications that can be used, and different drugs may have different effects on different patients, both in terms of effectiveness and side effects, the most important thing is to find a knowledgable neurologist and work with him to get on a regimen that controlls your seizures without making your life miserable.
As for getting aff of all the medication, again, that's very specific per patient and is best discussed with a doctor who knows your case, however, you always run the risk of a recurrent seizure if you stop. I can't give you more specifics, but it sounds to me like you need to sit down with you doctor and really have a conversation about your options and what may be best, the amount of help that I or anyone else can give you online without more information is going to be very limited.
2006-09-29 23:25:15 · answer #3 · answered by The Doc 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, medication can lose its effectiveness, however in answer to your question concerning addiction, there are more than one kind of seizure medication that you could talk over with your doctor. I have heard of people taking meds for one reason or another and after a time they don't need to take them anymore, NOW, I am not saying that is your case, but you should really talk to your doctors. If you are like me you are probably tired of doctors and their meds. But don't give up.
2006-09-29 23:28:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
taking medication is always a choice. your dr can't force you to take your depakote but you have to know that you WILL have seizures if you don't take it. you can ask your dr about different meds though, lamictal has less side effects then depakote
2006-09-29 23:24:24 · answer #5 · answered by Sharon M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at times
2006-09-29 23:22:36 · answer #6 · answered by 185 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean can you body build up a tolerance for medications so they are no longer as effective as they have been.
YES in some cases. Consult you MD they maybe a better choice for you now.
Best of luck
Don't stop the meds without consulting your MD first. OKAY!
2006-09-29 23:23:18 · answer #7 · answered by Medical Teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course when on it for extended periods.
In the long run it doesn't do the liver much good either.
You should speak to your Doctor regularly about new medications on the market and what alternate treatments that might be newly available.
2006-09-29 23:22:45 · answer #8 · answered by Yellowstonedogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Medication can lose its effectivness. Overtime it decays.
In addition the human body can get used to functioning with the medicine as a normal function.
2006-09-29 23:23:17 · answer #9 · answered by sshazzam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sumtimez the the body gets used to z meds. its kinda like cigs people's bodies get used to them that's why they smoke mor & mor after years of well... smoking
2006-09-29 23:32:19 · answer #10 · answered by Jacob 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋