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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 16:04:30
I recently took a mini-holiday from Trileptal, and noticed that this weird effect I get of ONE of my eyelids being swollen (always the same one) came back when I went back on it. Has anyone ever experienced anything like that on any med? I don't know if it's a med or what, but I do sleep on my side, except it's the opposite side so that doesn't make sense to me....I don't know, maybe I'm just crazy (har har).
MM
Posted by med_empowered on February 21, 2005, at 17:26:25
In reply to Weird side-effect?, posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 16:04:30
Hey! The only thing that I know that Trileptal does that may explain this is that it sometimes reduces the sodium levels in the blood to the point that they are sub-normal, which is usually linked to lethargy and sedation, and can cause some cognitive problems. The shrink who put me on Trileptal never told me about this wonderful side-effect...so, months after being tapered off trileptal, I had a blood-test as part of a physical to make sure everything was normal..even then, my blood-levels were borderline sub-normal.
Posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 17:42:16
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect?, posted by med_empowered on February 21, 2005, at 17:26:25
Hmm, that could definitely be a possibility....Is a blood test the only way to tell? Thanks med.
MM
Posted by med_empowered on February 21, 2005, at 17:46:07
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect? » med_empowered, posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 17:42:16
the only way I know of to test for sub-normal sodium levels is a blood test...but I may be wrong. Trileptal is usually a bloodwork-free mood-stabilizers b/c low sodium levels generally don't cause death or anything...my advice would be to test it on yourself; if you don't already, try taking a multi-vitamin that contains a little bit of sodium (keep in mind that most americans tend to get TOO MUCH sodium, so you don't want to overdo this). If you start to feel better, it could be that you had too little sodium...or it could be that your diet needed a vitamin boost or that trileptal affects vitamins/minerals in the body in ways we aren't yet aware of...or it could be a placebo effect. If you still have problems that bother you, get a blood-test and see what's up.
Posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 18:11:30
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect?, posted by med_empowered on February 21, 2005, at 17:46:07
Well I take a multi-vitamin almost every day...don't think it has added sodium though. What I've been kind of wondering is if it has something to do with having had Belle's Palsey as a child. It paralyzed half of my face for 2 weeks and thinking maybe the trileptal messes with something that never healed or something. Maybe I'll try eating more salt/sodium and see. I'll also try to do more research on Trileptal/vitamin effects. Thanks for the help med.
MM
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 19:54:59
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect? » med_empowered, posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 18:11:30
If the sodium theory were correct, than you would have too much sodium as increased salt causes retained water which could cause swollen eyes upon awakening. I would check on the Bell's Palsy Theory. I have no idea if that would be the cause. Are there any other symptoms? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 22:22:25
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect? » MM, posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 19:54:59
Well, I don't know if they're related, but since they're in the same area, I'll mention them...I have eye pain in that eye sometimes, like it feels strained, not "acute" pain, and sometimes it seems like it is going lazy...I feel really dumb reporting that stuff though. Oh and headaches, in a specific area of my head. I did ask my GP about those things and she said it looked like migraine stuff (not that I knew I had them?). The swelling doesn't seem like that would be migraine related though and it is worse upon waking, but it's just weird that it's only one eyelid. LOL I feel really neurotic now. Oh well.
MM
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 23:54:30
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect? » Phillipa, posted by MM on February 21, 2005, at 22:22:25
You know, it might not be related to the medication at all. I would definitely mention it to the doctor as he/she may want to order a CT Scan, or an MRI to rule out any possible cause. In my opinion only. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by MM on February 22, 2005, at 0:23:58
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect? » MM, posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 23:54:30
Thank you Philipa. I want those tests done, but as I'm sure you know, sometimes it's hard to get docs to take you seriously, or at least for me it is. I want to see a neurologist actually but that is apparently really hard to do. Anyway, thanks again.
MM
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2005, at 15:45:49
In reply to Re: Weird side-effect? » MM, posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2005, at 23:54:30
I know what you mean. The only I could get an MRI of the brain done was because I told the Infection Control Specialist who is treating me for chronic Lymes Disease that my insurance was running out, so he ordered one. It was normal, but from what I've recently read on this Board, an MRI can only tell you if you have something terrible like a brain tumor. Now, if I asked my new pdoc for a QEEG, she would laugh at me. Fondly, Phillipa
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