Or even know of natural ways to treat epilepsy, and how to protect liver while on depakote?

I prefer a natural way, but it is hard to find neurologist that practices both natural and chemical.

I've not heard of a neuro who used anything except medication and, maybe, surgery. Of course, that doesn't mean one doesn't exist.

I have heard of a few individuals (without physicians) who used diet and no meds to successfully control their seizures, but I sure don't know how to direct you to them.

If Depakote is causing a liver problem for you or someone you know (I lost almost all my hair and gained SOOO much weight so fast it could not affect my liver...it didn't have time), could you switch medications?

No doubt someone better informed than I will be along soon.

I wish you the best.

hi twofish.

check with your dr before adding any supplements...but Milk Thistle is wonderful for the liver. it was what my dr recomended i take when i had a liver test come back with low function. i have taken it ever since and my liver is fine now.

Hi Twofish,
When I took depakene (valproic acid) my neuro had to watch my liver and do blood tests weekly. Later I found that taking vitamin B12 1000 mcg. for an adult along with the ketogenic diet which helps control seizures the best thing to do. Also taking a lot of B vitamins will help. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Nothing is wrong with my liver, i just want to keep it healthy because the medicine can affect it and the liver is important. What is a ketogenic diet? I have a lot of those B vitamins.

Hi twofish,
The ketogenic diet is a diet high in fat but low in carbs and protein. This diet helps build ketones in the body which helps stop seizures. The diet has been out since 1927 and it was used to help control epilepsy before all the meds came out. Today a lot of kids are on the diet and now they are using it on adults. A person has to weigh all their food on a gram scale I'm on a 4:1 ratio meaning I'm allowed to eat 4 grams of fat for every gram of protein. Instead of the body using sugar for energy it uses the fats. I've lost a lot of weight on this diet and it hasn't bothered my cholesterol at all. An average breakfast would be 2 eggs cooked in butter, 5 slices of bacon, or 2 slices of ham, 1 slice of toast with butter, and a glass of juice along with one cup of coffee or tea. You can buy the book titled: "The Epilepsy Diet Treatment" by Dr. John Freeman from Hopkins University. It explains the diet really well. I had a cousin who had gm sz. and during WWII he was flying airplanes and he never has a single sz. until he went off the diet. It works really good. You can see your local dietician to get more detail about the diet. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Hi Twofish,

Just a suggestion, the sublingual B12 if more effective and the one in b complex. I do not have epilepsy rathe other neuros problems but the sublingual b12 and b complez absolutely help.

Here is some great information in the vitamins and supplements forum.. Mrs D is a whiz!

do you still take medicines too? if at all possible i would like to switch from chemicals to natural ways.

it seems hard to find doctors that will condone anything outside of chemical treatments.

Hi Twofish,
While on the diet people still have to take meds but depending on how well the diet works some people can go off their meds while others can cut back on the meds. I was able to cut back on my meds and the dosage as well. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

now if only i could find some neurologist in arizona mesa/tempe/chandler area that practices both western and eastern medicine..

So far, all the neurologists i have met won't have it any other way but medication alone. no diets, no other treatments, nothing.

Just "oh you haven't had a seizure. That is good. Thanks for the money. Goodbye"

or "you had a seizure? we will increase your dosage. thanks for the money. Goodbye"

seriously. i pay my fees, wait a while, only to have a 5 minute conversation and leave. to me, it isn't worth it. i want a doctor open to other possibilities.

It seems in Arizona there are some in Phoenix, but I'm not supposed to drive long distances. While I can be a passenger, i should not be the driver for very long distances.