Medication

[Christi]

I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilesy and since then put on dilantin and depakote.  I was wondering if smoking marijuana with cause me to have a seizure.  Also, I'll be switching over to depakote totally soon and was wondering if it affects the effectiveness of birth control pills...

[HFHS-M.D.-HG]

Dear Christi

Marijuana smoking can cause red eye, rapid heart rate, chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, brain shrinkage, birth defects, increase susceptibility to seizures and several others. It is recommended that Marijuana should not be used in people who are already susceptible to seizures. Studies showed that oral contraceptives did not have drug interactions when taken along with Depakote. I would recommend that you let your doctor know about any other medications that you are taking while on Depakote and discuss the possible side effects.

Sincerely
HFHS-M.D.

[From a successful poster.......]

Barbara, I know this is not on the subject, but I am curious if you are sending your message from the alcohol detox ward.  What a wonderful thing if the wards were providing Internet access for patients.  I have been almost housebound for over two years due to a chronic illness.  I got my computer less than a year ago and I cannot even begin to tell you how much it has enhanced my quality of life!  I feel connected to the world again.  Good luck to you in your recovery.......

[barbara to pain and lortab]

No, I am sending the posts from work. I have work passes and use the net here before I start my day. We don't even have a TV at the mental ward as one of the more uncontrollable patients yanked it off the shelf a few weeks ago. I have been playing my music tapes I brought in and we have been jamming and dancing instead of TV.

The only detox ward here on Guam is the mental ward where all the patients are mixed anywhere from schizophrenics to psychotics, suicidals, court ordered violent offenders, etc. I am the only alcoholic there. It is government funded and I cannot afford to go off-island for treatment at a real detox center. My HMO insurance doesn't cover alcohol or drug detox or rehab.

Many of the nurses and aides here are so ignorant about alcohol withdrawal they don't understand why a person cannot just simply quit drinking. They don't know what the DT's is and do not understand alcohol withdrawal seizures.

It is a real challenge but in a way I find it fascinating. I plan to write a book about it someday. I am keeping thourough notes.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Epilepsy causes seizures, not Marijuana. Unless you are extremely allergic to it and eat it or something! I suggest stopping the usage of Marijuana and finding some other treatment that will benefit you and not aggravate your seizures. I have seen many seizures this past week. I have been in a mental ward for alcohol detox, and major depression and saw over ten seizures in less than three days from various patients.

Some were epileptic type , others the typical psychogenic type. I had four seizures myself two days ago in less that 12 hours. Mine are the status type lasting 10-15 minutes each and only partial so I stay half conscious.

It's not fun so why add Marijuana to your seizure problems?