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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on November 12, 2013, at 8:32:53
Get this, I've had 2 fractures (toes) and cracked 2 teeth while being on Trileptal for almost 2 years. My doc finally tells me there could be a chance that the longer you're on anti-epileptic meds, that they can cause bone/ fracture issues! Geez. I actually looked it up last night and it's true. It feels like I've developed debilitating arthritis.
Apparently, I'm a slow metabolizer and some meds build up in my systems due to a possible missing liver enzyme and that's why I experience so many side effects.
So, now I'm having to taper down on Trileptal and go up on Geodon. I still have Klonopin.
I don't know of any other meds to replace Trileptal with. It's been a great med for me for 2 years. Little side effects - except for now I can't walk due to this arthritic condition and broken bones!
My doc also told me not to worry so much about Geodon. She said a high dose is when you get to 240-320mg, which I never will. If I get up to 120mg I'll be great. I can still use my Klonopin and melatonin to sleep.
I can't believe this. My doc said she can even swap my cheek to test my metabolism or something and see why I react the way I do to certain meds.
I guess I'll have to rely on Geodon. Not sure what else to do.
I've been on meds of some sort for 25 years, so I feel like I'll be detoxing a little, which is better than taking more and more Klonopin. I can remember when I just took Zoloft and Trazadone and over the years docs have piled more and more meds on me. I don't even react normally to a normal dose of Klonopin or Xanax anymore. It takes a whole lot to effect me. Maybe a little detoxing, slowly wouldn't be bad. But I'm sure it won't be fun.
I'd just like to react normally to a safe med!
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2013, at 8:55:46
In reply to Fractures + Trileptal?!, posted by Sheilac on November 12, 2013, at 8:32:53
My pdoc did the mouth swab test also says on the brochure that you are given to see how you metabolize meds. Come to find out it let him know if I was taking the correct amount of the meds I am on. In other words the normal were normal for what was prescribed. Guessing some pdocs could be using it to see if their patients are also taking more of their meds than prescribed.
I also just read that SSRI's cause osteoporosis also or can. And I have this plus the arthritis so wonder if those could have contributed to this? Have you had a Dexa scan for bone density. Mine is so low I refuse to have another. Phillipa
Posted by baseball55 on November 12, 2013, at 19:33:58
In reply to Re: Fractures + Trileptal?! » Sheilac, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2013, at 8:55:46
There's a big difference between osteoporosis and arthritis. Everyone has some arthritis by the time they are in their 40s and usually start to feel it by their mid-50s. It has nothing to do with the bone density. Arthritis is when the cartilage in the joints starts to wear away.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2013, at 22:13:40
In reply to Re: Fractures + Trileptal?!, posted by baseball55 on November 12, 2013, at 19:33:58
Yes I have both but fractures as mentiones is osteoporosis? Never heard this about these meds though
Posted by bleauberry on November 13, 2013, at 9:31:43
In reply to Fractures + Trileptal?!, posted by Sheilac on November 12, 2013, at 8:32:53
There is no such thing as a safe med.
I broke 2 ribs without any trauma. Just over reached.
I got a hairline fracture in the hip simply lifting a 20 pound box.
Emergency room xrays showed significant osteoporosis, and bone density scan looked bad too.
All unusual for my age.
Did it come from 20 years of psych meds? Which med(s)? Did it come from lyme antibiotics? Is it hereditary?
Who knows.
You will have to be careful, most likely the rest of your life, because I do not believe brittle bones can be restored. I believe the best we can do is arrest the situation or slow it down, but not reverse it significantly.
Your supplements should include Vitamin K, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin D, Biosil (silica) and the doses should be therapeutic, which means higher than normal doses.
Posted by Sheilac on November 13, 2013, at 14:06:51
In reply to Re: Fractures + Trileptal?!, posted by baseball55 on November 12, 2013, at 19:33:58
> There's a big difference between osteoporosis and arthritis. Everyone has some arthritis by the time they are in their 40s and usually start to feel it by their mid-50s. It has nothing to do with the bone density. Arthritis is when the cartilage in the joints starts to wear away.
Well crap! I just don't want arthritis :( I see my family doc soon. It's terrible to possibly have arthritis in the feet!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 13, 2013, at 15:03:36
In reply to Fractures + Trileptal?!, posted by Sheilac on November 12, 2013, at 8:32:53
I don't quite understand the justification behind the med changes your doctor is proposing. There is not sufficient evidence that you need to reduce Trileptal.
There appears to be a link between certain (particularly older) antiepileptics and reduced bone mineral density, possibly due to increased metabolism (de-activation) of Vitamin D. I suggest that you inquire about getting a bone scan (DEXA). At any rate, you can start taking a colecalciferol (Vitamin D) supplement, preferably 800-1600 units per day.
> Get this, I've had 2 fractures (toes) and cracked 2 teeth while being on Trileptal for almost 2 years. My doc finally tells me there could be a chance that the longer you're on anti-epileptic meds, that they can cause bone/ fracture issues! Geez. I actually looked it up last night and it's true. It feels like I've developed debilitating arthritis.
>
> Apparently, I'm a slow metabolizer and some meds build up in my systems due to a possible missing liver enzyme and that's why I experience so many side effects.
>
> So, now I'm having to taper down on Trileptal and go up on Geodon. I still have Klonopin.
>
> I don't know of any other meds to replace Trileptal with. It's been a great med for me for 2 years. Little side effects - except for now I can't walk due to this arthritic condition and broken bones!
>
> My doc also told me not to worry so much about Geodon. She said a high dose is when you get to 240-320mg, which I never will. If I get up to 120mg I'll be great. I can still use my Klonopin and melatonin to sleep.
>
> I can't believe this. My doc said she can even swap my cheek to test my metabolism or something and see why I react the way I do to certain meds.
>
> I guess I'll have to rely on Geodon. Not sure what else to do.
>
> I've been on meds of some sort for 25 years, so I feel like I'll be detoxing a little, which is better than taking more and more Klonopin. I can remember when I just took Zoloft and Trazadone and over the years docs have piled more and more meds on me. I don't even react normally to a normal dose of Klonopin or Xanax anymore. It takes a whole lot to effect me. Maybe a little detoxing, slowly wouldn't be bad. But I'm sure it won't be fun.
>
> I'd just like to react normally to a safe med!
Posted by Sheilac on November 13, 2013, at 16:03:31
In reply to Re: Fractures + Trileptal?! » Sheilac, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 13, 2013, at 15:03:36
I totally see your point and am going to consult with my regular physician about this issue. It may not be necessary to taper down Trileptal (since it does work so well), or it may be that I indeed have arthritis, totally unrelated to Trileptal.
I'm waiting on the results of my bone scan to compare it against my scan 2 years ago. Hopefully, I haven't lost more bone.
I would think this would only happen to folks taking super high doses - not me.
A bad thing my pdoc doc never mentioned was the fact that I needed to take more Calcium, Vit D and folic acid! Geez, I never knew this and I've been taking Trileptal for a while now!
I love Trileptal - even if it does effect my vision :). And for now Aleve is helping what might be arthritis pain in my poor feet.
Posted by baseball55 on November 13, 2013, at 19:37:04
In reply to Re: Fractures + Trileptal?! » ed_uk2010, posted by Sheilac on November 13, 2013, at 16:03:31
Yeah. Arthritis s**ks. But it is a normal part of aging. I got it so bad in my hip that I had to have a hip replacement. As far as bone density scans go -- if you are middle-aged or above, your scan will probably show statistically signifiant deterioration since last scan. This may not be bad enough to diagnose osteoporosis or osteopenia, but some density loss is inevitable as we age. I had a density scan at 49, which said my bones were fine. Again at 54, which said I had lost density since last scan but was still fine. I need to have another next year.. here's hoping.
My husband has osteoporosis. It's actually less common in males than in females. His doctor told him he needed to get more calcium and to get it from his diet. So he has yogurt and mild and cheese all the time. I make stews with kale. We keep almonds on hand all the time.
I drink nearly a quart of milk every day and take Vitamin D supplements.
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2013, at 20:01:22
In reply to Re: Fractures + Trileptal?! » Sheilac, posted by baseball55 on November 13, 2013, at 19:37:04
Have you read the many lawsuits and horrific side effects of the osteoporosis meds? I chose not to take any of them. I'd suggest googling the National Osteoporosis chat group name Team Inspire. A lot like babble others sharing and forming conclusions and posting links. I prefer living with osteoporosis and taking Ca * Mg, And D & K. Phillipa
Posted by Jeroen on November 14, 2013, at 3:23:11
In reply to Fractures + Trileptal?!, posted by Sheilac on November 12, 2013, at 8:32:53
be carefull with geodon
TD uncontrolled eye movement after 20 mg twice daily
for 2 weeks
This is the end of the thread.
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