(((shezbut)))

I suffer from partial complex seizures and am also taking Depakote. My seizures are few and far between but they always have bad consequences. I don't like to drive since E also makes me slightly dyslexic. My triggers include lack of sleep, anxiety / nervousness, alcohol, sugary foods and lights shining in my eyes.

For several years, I was off medication and healthy provided I got enough sleep and watched my diet (including alcohol intake). Recently, when I took a job working nights, the seizures returned and I went back to the neurologist. I was put back on medication and quit my night job.

The first medication I was prescribed was Keppra. It was quickly dropped when one of the side-effects - drowsiness - caused me to dose off the second day of a new job. I immediately asked to be put back on Depakote. There are some problems with Depakote - I can only tolerate a low dose because it increases my appetite and I have gained weight in the past. On the good side, it is also a mood stabilizer and helps those like me (and you) who also suffer from depression.

Anti-seizure medications, as I have found, are meds that can also cause seizures when not administered properly. I had forgotten this with the Keppra. I have a hard time with upping and decreasing doses of anti-seizure meds and have to do both very gradually. My prior neurologist had me change meds quickly and I suffered seizures because of it. My current neurologist had forgotten this about me and had put me on a low dose twice a day of Keppra and the side-effects were too strong. This was not repeated with the Depakote. While the dosage was twice a day, I was started on one pill every other day which was gradually increased to one pill everyday and then further increased to the full dose of two pills a day. In this way, I was able to avoid the side-effects and seizures sometimes caused by the shock to the brain / system by going full dose from day one. I was also advised not to start a new job until my body had adjusted to the new medication. So far, so good though I still get drowsy. My neurologist says the drowsiness will eventually decrease. (It immediately increases with just a little wine, however.) Now that I am on Depakote, I will also have to go for regular blood tests to make sure my liver is not being affected by the medication. Like yourself, I also suffer from near constant ringing in my ears.

Please consider the gradual method when starting / stopping any anti-seizure medication. Please make sure you get a good nights sleep daily - that's the best prevention method for me. I am sure that you are familiar with your triggers. I don't know the ages of your daughters but, if they are old enough, please teach them what to do in an emergency. It is terrifying to lose both hearing and sight. I know that just the thought of knowing that your mind / body can surprise you at any time with unpredictable behavior is scary. E is so difficult to live with. I hope this helps and wish you all the best.