My cousin who’s suffering from Cavernous Angioma (story posted here) is taking Depakote to prevent seizures. No one researched on the medicine until today. We were all for what the doctor said – prevent the seizures from happening. She has been taking this medicine for almost a month. Days ago, my cousin was complaining that she gets extremely sleepy. So, they went to visit the doctor again and he prescribed another medicine. They bought it and my cousin was about to take it when they noticed a long list of negative side effects. Only when I was advised by my mom of the first medicine did we come to realize how dangerous the previous medicine was (the second one, equally alarming).
If you check this page, you will see this list. The following are the common side effects:
- Shakiness (tremors) — in up to 57 percent of people
- Nausea — up to 48 percent
- Headaches — up to 31 percent
- Drowsiness — up to 30 percent
- Vomiting — up to 27 percent
- Weakness — up to 27 percent
- Dizziness — up to 25 percent.
- Hair loss (see Depakote and Hair Loss)
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Flu symptoms, such as a fever or chills
- Infections
- Double vision
- Insomnia (see Depakote and Insomnia)
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Blurred vision
- Nervousness
- Weight gain (see Depakote and Weight Gain)
- Back pain
- Coordination problems
- Uncontrollable eye movements
- Swelling or water retention in the arms, legs, or feet
- Memory loss (amnesia)
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Increased appetite or loss of appetite
- A fever
- Emotional problems
- Weight loss.
Serious Side Effects:
- Depression
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), such as:
-
- Severe abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Worsening of seizures
- Low body temperature (below 95 degrees F), known as hypothermia
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, and unexplained swelling
- Suicidal thinking or behavior (see Seizure Medications and Suicide).
The medicine is for seizure prevention and yet its side effects listed that seizures can worsen. More than that, the list is long enough for us to be doubtful whether or not we should let my cousin drink it. I mean, would you let your child drink a medicine such as this, if it seems more harmful than useful? The doctor sure knows what he is doing but it doesn’t mean that he knows better. Yes, he is trying to cure/prevent seizure because this is the current main complaint. He will find some other medicines when my cousin will complain of hair loss and then another, when my cousin complains of loss of appetite or the opposite thereof and yet another, when my cousin complains of loss of memory and the medicine would go endlessly.
Sometimes, it’s better if we just let things be there rather than do something that could worsen it (cause more damage). But then, it’s a matter of trying also. But trying can sometimes be dangerous (i.e. we will never know if my cousin will have memory loss/amnesia until she’s there.)
There are only two things to do now – take it or leave it. Tough one!
(P.S. We have not decided yet whether or not to push through with surgery.)
No comments:
Post a Comment