anti-convulsants for migraines

[Guest guest]

Long ago I had a neurologist that prescribed Depakote aka valproic acid aka

valproate aka Divalproex for my severe headaches. Taking this substance for

about three years is one of my several pet theories for what may have what

induced my mito condition.

From a medical site: This medicine is an anticonvulsant used to control

seizures. It may also be used to treat migraine headaches, manic episodes,

and other conditions as determined by your doctor.

From Abbott Labs (http://www.rxabbott.com/br/dp/dp001.htm), one of several

warnings:

Hepatic failure resulting in fatalities has occurred in patients receiving

valproic acid and its derivatives. Patients should be monitored closely for

the appearance of nonspecific symptoms which may precede hepatotoxicity.

Liver function tests should be performed prior to therapy and at frequent

intervals thereafter, especially during the first 6 months. Depakote should

not be administered to patients with hepatic disease or significant hepatic

dysfunction.

I personally have hepatic steatosis, aka fatty liver.

Excerpt from a journal article:

Valproate has been identified as a potentially dangerous medication because

of its hepatotoxic side effect in some patients with metabolic diseases.

There is considerable debate as to whether this medication should ever be

used, regardless of the situation, or whether, in metabolic disease, it can

be considered in the setting of seizures that have been refractory to other

medications. Valproate is known to inhibit cytochrome oxidase (COX) as well

as cause mitochondrial ultrastructural changes, but it is not know if these

are clinically relevant.

From email on (msg 59401):

From: dgregori@...

dgregori@...>>

Subject: Re: Shelby

MEDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATED IN MITOCHONDRIAL DIESASE

[...] Valpro or Epilim (Sodium Valporate) is an anti-convulsant. It is

known

to be a potential toxin to those with either mitochondrial disorders or

metabolic disease. [...]

And if anyone needs more ;-) try " valproate mitochondrial " on PubMed.

Steve

> Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:53:28 -0400

>

> Subject: Re: Thank you, Laurie. How medical knowledge changes: migraines

>

>

>

> I wish I had known that this information would have been helpful to you

> before. When son was 15 and he is now 30, he was hospitalized in a unit

> specifically for head pain sufferers that hadn't responded to out-patient

> therapy or had daily headaches for more than 3 weeks. His had been daily

for

> 6 months, so they didn't even attempt out-patient therapy. They were

> required to attend classes 2-3 times per day and families were invited to

> join them. This connection between depression and migraines was one of the

> first things that we learned. It is often the same chemical malfunction

that

> causes both and this is why an anti-depressant is often one of the first

> meds they use for preventative treatment. Since these migraines can evolve

> into seizures in certain people, they often try anti-convulsants as well.

>

> laurie

>

> > From: BDS31@...

> > Reply-To:

> > Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 09:20:16 -0400

> > To:

> > Subject: Thank you, Laurie. How medical knowledge changes:

migraines

> >

> > Dear Laurie,

> > Once again, thanks for your comments. Yesterday I was sent a neuro

> > monthly update. One article said that they have ascertained a connection

> > between migraine and depression. It went on to say that migraine that

> > moves from episodic to daily, increases the risk for depression! Imagine

> > that.

> > I remember once watching some talk show when my girls very little. It

> > was about migraine. A pompous PhD said that if a person gets migraine,

> > that person is giving it to herself or himself! I had to restrain myself

> > from assaulting the TV.

> >

> > What he said would make migraine sufferers among the most mentally

> > unbalanced people in society, true masochists.

> >

> > Of course, they know it is strongly genetic. My neuro says they know now

> > where migraines start, deep within the brain. They can watch it evolve

> > on some brain scans. I never accepted the old over-simplification of it

> > being caused by tight muscles and constriction of those area blood

> > vessels.

> > Just had to get that off my chest.

> > Thank you.

> > S.