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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / May 2005cluster headaches & depakote
I've been on Depakote since 97. For the past 8 years I've noticed that if I missed more than 2 doses that I would get a headache and it would go away after 24 hours. Starting up would have similar results. On Saturday I ran out of medication and some things happened (kid, exploding pipe, angry wife, etc.) so I didn't get around to refilling it until today. Oddly enough, my headache still hasn't gone away and it's really causing me problems, it's so bad that I can't focus at work. Feels like my eye is going to explode due to pressure. I took my contact out early yesterday thinking that was it but I'm still in pain. One thing it could be is a problem with the eye like Glaucoma. Another thing that I came across is cluster headaches. The symptoms seem to match mine... pain in and around the eye reaching from the temples down to my neck, left side of face only. I'm also sensitive to light and sound... talking on the phone at work even bothers me. I also have a bit of a runny nose but that could be allergies, leftovers from a cold several weeks back, etc.. I realize that I shouldn't lapse in my medication, that's a given. But has anyone else run into something like this? I was thinking that maybe the Depakote was masking a migraine problem and that I just wasn't aware of it. Thoughts? Obviously I'm going to seek medical help if it doesn't clear up, it really is interfering with my life. Even if it goes away I'll mention it to my neuro. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced something like this. Thanks! -- gorf > I've been on Depakote since 97. For the past 8 years I've noticed that if > I missed more than 2 doses that I would get a headache and it would go [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > -- > gorf I haven't used that pill. But some of them can mess with Blood Pressure if they're stopped abruptly or get outside of your optimum range. Changes in Blood Pressure (as one example) could mess with the blood vessels in your head (and eyes) and cause some of what you're experiencing. (*I Had some of those while increasing doses of Tegretol about 6 years ago, like someone blowing up a Balloon from the Inside. No fun there... ) You might have seen some other posts I did a week or two ago. At your Drugstore for under $2. (or free) they have a Seven Day plastic Pill case. I use mine to keep track of which pills I take but also so I don't take 2 doses by mistake. *But it also gives me a 'heads up' when I'm within *7 days of running out of pills. That way I can call for a Repeat when I notice I'm there, since sometimes it takes them 3-4 days to reach my Doctor.... well except last time, where I phoned their Robot Twice in the same week, so they have a Repeat on file now for next time I need mine... :-< You could see if you can get that where you are (the pillcase) . *If you don't hear from your Dr. soon about what to do wrt. how to take pills to get back to max. dose (*If you have to do that with Depakote that I've not used), you could call the Pharmacy you use, and they can give you advice from their Scripts they keep until you hear from the Dr.) G./ > I've been on Depakote since 97. For the past 8 years I've noticed that > if I missed more than 2 doses that I would get a headache and it would [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Thanks! Since, I'm feeling assertive today, I'll put my two cents in. You won't like it though. Kiddo, you've got to stay on track with your medications. That takes first priority, and it is your responsibility to take care of it. This is said with love. Barb >> I've been on Depakote since 97. For the past 8 years I've noticed that >> if I missed more than 2 doses that I would get a headache and it would go [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > Barb I'm with Barb. If your meds are helping with the epilepsy and also seem to prevent headaches.....well don't you think taking them regularly would be the logical thing to do? Any anti-seizure medication must be taken regularly and not just as and when you manage to get round to it. Many of them have bad effects when taken sporadically. This is said with a frown of consternation. Darryl. > I'm with Barb. If your meds are helping with the epilepsy and also seem to > prevent headaches.....well don't you think taking them regularly would be > the logical thing to do? Any anti-seizure medication must be taken regularly > and not just as and when you manage to get round to it. Many of them have > bad effects when taken sporadically. > This is said with a frown of consternation. As I said in my original post, it's not that I try to miss doses, it just happens. Waking up at 5:30 and splitting the childcare duties until 6:20 when I leave for my 40 minute commute doesn't leave me with much room for error. And if I take the pills to work I risk leaving them there over the weekend. Excuses aside, I believe I found out what was going on in my head. The headaches toned down up until Friday night when I traveled to my parents house and I had just about the worst headache ever from 10:00 that night to 2:00am. Funny thing though, it moved! My teeth all felt like they had cavities and they were super sensitive, my cheekbone and ear hurt, but if I thought about it I could still attribute the pain to pressure. It was likely a sinus headache as I whipped out my old humidifier in desperation and I literally felt better overnight (consequently I had significant drainage but my head stopped hurting so I didn't care). That's not to say I don't get headaches if I miss a dose or two, but the pain didn't come close to comparing, Monday and Friday can definitely be classified as the two worst days for headaches in my life. I'm just glad it's gone (or at least I know how to treat it, I took my humidifier with me when I left). :) -- gorf How are the headaches now? > As I said in my original post, it's not that I try to miss doses, it just > happens. Waking up at 5:30 and splitting the childcare duties until 6:20 [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > -- > gorf > How are the headaches now? Nothing since the 21st... good times. Now I'm playing catchup at work since I didn't get much done during those 2-3 days where I just stared at my monitor while my eyeball seemed to have a pulse of its own. :) >> How are the headaches now? > > Nothing since the 21st... good times. Now I'm playing catchup at work > since I didn't get much done during those 2-3 days where I just stared at > my monitor while my eyeball seemed to have a pulse of its own. :) Good to hear it's eased off and life can return to some normality :-) Nothing quite like having to put your life on hold to wait for a passing storm.
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