Question:
I am epileptic. I currently take 2000 mgs daily of Depakote.

Is having Epilepsy generally a problem when it comes to any of the surgeries. I was seizure free until the end of june this year. I had one then and one in July after 5 years of no activity. My neurologist upped my meds to what they are today. I wonder if this will hinder chances of surgery.    — jamie H. (posted on November 1, 2001)

November 1, 2001
How old are you? I used to have epilepsy. I had brain surgery 5 years ago and I have been seizure free ever since. It is the best decision I have made about my life so far. I have not had WLS yet. I am fighting my insurance compnay. But I do plan to have it, and so far, none of the doctors has said that my past epilepsy will be a problem. Please e mail me if you'd like to discuss the epilepsy more. I don't get on here very often. [email protected]
   — Danielle T.

November 5, 2001
I have epilepsy, too, and was also worried before surgery. I currently take Tegretol XR 800 mg. a day. It's an extended release medicine, so I was worried about all of it being absorbed when so much of my intestines were being bypassed. I called my pharmacist to find out exactly where the medicine is absorbed, and he said "throughout the length of your small intestine." I was really freaked out after that, but my surgeon and his n.p. told me not to worry. I had blood work done recently, and my trough level for the Tegretol was EXACTLY in the middle (Normal is 4-12 and mine was at 8. :) I don't think that's ever happened before...usually it's a little high or a little low. You might really want to talk with your surgeon and pharmacist though. Especially since you've had a seizure fairly recently.
   — Emily W.