Dearest Neurotalkers:

I have recently changed from Gabapentin to Depakote. The reasons for the change are rather complicated. I took the Gabapentin for the pain of SFN.

The bottom line is that with the current dose of Depakote (1500mg/day) almost all of my SFN is gone (burning, stinging, stabbing, itching: scalp, lips, face, tongue, neck, arms, hands, fingers, palms, even my ears and eyes). And it is hoped that the Myoclonic seizures I was experiencing may stop with the Depakote.

Between the neuropathies, the seizures, and the severe sciatica which required back surgery (and my back is fine, the sciatica is GONE), I have had a really difficult year.

Now I'm back on my feet, and perhaps more stable than ever. Here's to 2017!

Hugs, ElaineD

This is the best news I have heard in a while! I have never heard of this medicine. I would like to hear more details if you don't mind sharing. I know you took a high dose of Gabapentin, how long did it take to taper down to zero and at what point did they add the Depakote? So happy for you Eliane!

Wishing you & everyone on here a great 2017!

that is amazing. My neurologist recommended this as a daily preventative for migraine but said it wouldn't help with my full body sfn. I was afraid to try it do to side effects and weight gain. How soon did you notice an improvement?

Young women can run into a terrible newly proven side effect of Depakote. It taken during pregnancy it can cause terrible birth defects.

It also disrupts female sexual hormones and expression and affects secondary sexual characteristics.

It is also hard on the liver.

Depakote Side Effects – Birth Defects, Suicide and Liver Damage

So for Healthgirl some of these effects are important.
But for Elaine the birth defect warnings are not applicable.

Right now there is a huge liability lawsuit going for this drug in France and Europe.

I just saw my neurologist this past week and he was going to place me on this med but decided Topomac(sp) would be better due to other medications I take.

I'm glad to hear how successful this medication had been for you! Very encouraging!!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

MrsD is quite right, Depakote does have harmful effects and should be avoided by women considering pregnancy. It is also not a drug of first choice for the pain of neuropathy.

There are many anti-seizure drugs, of course, Topomax and Lamictal among them. Gabapentin and Lyrica are first choices for neuropathic pain. I stopped taking Gabapentin because I had developed Myoclonic seizures and both Gabapentin and Lyrica have a 4% chance of causing this type of seizure.

Most of us find ourselves dealing with strong medications, and medications with very serious side effects. One unusual and sometimes fatal side effect of anti seizure medications is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which causes the skin to slough off

In addition we are often NOT 'the average person' by definition of our somewhat unusual conditions, and may experience even greater reaction to medications.

My neurologist knows my medical history and my diagnoses very well, and I trust him. I waited a month while completely off the Gabapentin, and the seizures persisted, so Gabapentin probably does NOT cause them. I probably have Primary Progressive Myoclonus of Aging.

The prescription of Depakote for me is an attempt to stop my myoclonic seizures. The dangerous ones are when I suddenly fall to the ground without warning. This is a negative seizure (I have both positive and negative).

The hope is to get the seizures stopped and then deal with my neuropathic pain as needed. This may include adding some amount of Gabapentin.

Neuropathic pain is a very difficult part of my life, but collapsing spontaneously without warning is life threatening. I do have a medical alert which I wear at all times.

I am so hoping that the coming year brings all of joy and hope. Yes, we have difficult medical conditions, and life goes on! May we all be able to put our medical issues into the background and enjoy our lives in 2017.

Hugs, ElaineD

so glad to hear that this medication change is bringing you relief with your symptoms!!!!!! That is a very nice way to start off 2017!