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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by psychosage on June 10, 2006, at 11:06:21
What are the best vitamins for anticonvulsants (for vitamin depletion and various side effects like hair loss)?
I have read for Depakote ER, zinc, selenium, biotin, folic acid and for Lamictal, biotin.
I think I have read a multi-vitamin for Depakote ER as well.
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2006, at 19:04:12
In reply to Vitamins for Anticonvulsants, posted by psychosage on June 10, 2006, at 11:06:21
Folic acid is often depleated by the use of anticonvulstants
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2006, at 21:45:09
In reply to Vitamins for Anticonvulsants, posted by psychosage on June 10, 2006, at 11:06:21
This sounds like one for Mr Lar. Love phillipa
Posted by CEK on June 12, 2006, at 12:18:14
In reply to Re: Vitamins for Anticonvulsants, posted by Phillipa on June 10, 2006, at 21:45:09
Can Lamictal make your hair fall out? Mine has been coming out like crazy. I've been on Lamictal and Klonopin for 5 weeks. Also, does anyone have any problems with swelling while on Lamictal. The hair loss, swelling, and headaches have been side effects that I have noticed. When should the anti depressant effect of Lamictal kick in? I'm now on 100mg for 5 days and out of these 5 months I haven't noticed any difference. My mood swings and depression are still really bad. Shouldn't I be noticing something by now?
Posted by fairywings on June 12, 2006, at 15:26:32
In reply to Re: Vitamins for Anticonvulsants, posted by CEK on June 12, 2006, at 12:18:14
I don't have any problems with hair loss or swelling on Lamictal, but have had the headaches. Lamictal has helped me, but the changes came on very subtly. I've been on it for maybe 9 or 10 weeks now. I didn't have huge mood swings to begin with though - I'm on it more for depression and volitility - it's worked esp. well for the volitility.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. What's your pdoc say?
fw
Posted by CEK on June 12, 2006, at 16:33:14
In reply to Re: Vitamins for Anticonvulsants » CEK, posted by fairywings on June 12, 2006, at 15:26:32
My pdoc has diagnosed me as bipolar 2 with rapid cycling and mixed episodes with major depression and GAD. Antidepressants didn't help and I had bad side effects from the antipsychotics, Lithium and Depakote made my depression worse so he is trying the Lamictal. I see him next week Monday and I'm going to talk to him about it. I spoke to him 2 weeks ago about adding something to the Lamictal but he didn't want to. He wants to wait til I get up to the maintaince dose and see how I do. He thinks this may be the right drug for me and that I won't need anything else with it other than the Klonpin. I didn't mention anything about the side effects because I wasn't sure if they were just temporary. They seem to be getting worse now so I'm going to tell him next Monday. Did your headaches go away? Are you still on the Lamictal and for how have you been on it? My depression is very bad. I hope Lamictal will be strong enough to get rid of it. I'm thinking about asking him about Provigil to see if it would help at all with the depression, fatigue and lack of motivation. I've seen 3 pdocs and they all act like we're running out of options.
Posted by fairywings on June 12, 2006, at 20:18:51
In reply to Re: Vitamins for Anticonvulsants » fairywings, posted by CEK on June 12, 2006, at 16:33:14
Hi CEK,
I have pretty bad migraines, and get them often, so I can't tell what's Lamictal and what's migraine. I took Topamax and the headaches were actually worse - it's supposed to help with migraines - and it made me depressed at a very low dose.
I'm still on Lamictal, it's been 9 - 10 weeks now. I sure don't see why it would hurt to at least try Provigil to see if it helps. Why suffer when something else added to the lamictal might help. I took Strattera, and at a low dose it gave me tons of motivation, no focus or concentration, and at a bit higher dose I had suicidal thoughts, but the low dose was good.
Good luck, I hope your pdoc listens to you...one of them anyway.
fw
Posted by Caedmon on June 12, 2006, at 22:48:08
In reply to Re: Vitamins for Anticonvulsants » CEK, posted by fairywings on June 12, 2006, at 20:18:51
I think Lamictal can deplete folic acid, but maybe that is just during pregnancy. I'm not sure.
http://www.neuro.jhmi.edu/Epilepsy/meds/lamictal.html
says that "Lamotrigine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, an enzyme involved in folic acid synthesis".
- Chris
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