Valproic Acid and hyperinsulinemia?

[labuchanan]

I have taken Valproic Acid for chronic headaches for a few years now. Recently I started connecting some facts and ideas and realized my worst weight problems started after I started taking the medication. My whole relationship to carbs and sweets shifted and I have been having cravings and binges that I never used to have. Mind you, I was never thin, but it seems the worst started with the medication.

I found one brief reference to a study that found increased insulin levels in girls who gained weight after starting the medication. But it was not a controlled study. It did not give conclusive evidence of which was cause and which was effect.

Anyway, upon realizing that the meds may be causing hyperinsulinism, I am very concerned about continuing to take it. But, so far, I am unable to completely avoid trigger foods to avoid the headaches without the medication. The only thing that may work is a strict paleo diet with no dairy. Extremely restrictive.

I have managed to lose some weight and improve my bloodwork while taking the medicine, but it is very difficult and I get tripped up by the cravings (and bingeing). I never feel full.

My doctor is not much help. When I talk about low carb, he always returns to calories. We are talking past each other. Taking the medicine is pretty optional.

After rereading PP about the effects of chronic hyperinsulinemia on the circulatory system, I am ready to give up the medicine.

Does anyone have thoughts, knowledge, experience, links?
Thanks in advance.
Lora

[gitfiddle]

Sorry, Lora, I don't have any knowledge of it. Let's hope someone here is informed on the subject!

[labuchanan]

Thank you.

I can add that this medicine is normally used for seizure control and weight gain is a common side effect.

At first I thought the weight gain was from sodium and fluid retention, but am now convinced that it comes from the elevated insulin. But I think that is what causes the sodium retention. As well as packing on extra fat.

Fortunately, I do not suffer from seizures, so taking it is optional for me. I am trying to go without it, and so far I am managing to avoid the worst headaches. But the weight is not yet melting off like I hoped it would.

I keep a detailed food and med and weight log on my PDA.

[mcsblues]

Have you tried magnesium? (for the migraines). Some people swear by it - and if you have read PPLP you'll know the Eades are fans too - (they have other reasons).

[labuchanan]

I have tried it in the past and didn't notice much difference. But I think I'll add it back in. THX

[mcsblues]

Make sure you get the chelated kind (magnesium oxide is absorbed about as well as marble ... which strangely enough is magnesium oxide!;)). You also probably need quite a bit to be effective - from memory the Eades say about 400 - 600mg per day (and that is the 'elemental equivalent' figure)

[labuchanan]

The tablets I have are chelated, 250 mg/tablet. I'll double up.

[mcsblues]

Is that 250mg of magnesium or 250mg of the chelate? From memory most chelates - eg citrate are about 20% magnesium.

[labuchanan]

The bottle says it's 250 mg Magnesium

[Frank Hagan]

The bottle says it's 250 mg Magnesium

Yeah, they do that but sometimes its not that clear. I think its deceptive, in fact, but they aren't held to the same labeling laws for supplements as they are for medicines.

Does the bottle have a "DV" (Daily Value) listed? If it does, it should say one tablet provides 69% of the DV if you are getting 250mg of magnesium in the pill. The DV is 360mg, so divide the pill mg by the 360 to get the percentage of the DV it provides.

[labuchanan]

The bottle says 63%.
THX

[Frank Hagan]

The bottle says 63%.
THX

Sounds like an honest company! I think the magnesium I'm taking says something like 600mg but the DV is something like 50%, making the magnesium portion of the pill about 180mg.

[labuchanan]

It's "Nature Made." Seems OK for the money.

Waiting to see how my headaches do at the increased dosage.

[mcsblues]

I did a quick search - here (http://www.naturemade.com/ProductDatabase/prd_prod.asp?productid=56#dosage) and here (http://international.drugstore.com/templates/browse/default.asp?catid=32526&cmbProdBrandFilter=7894&trx=BSMMP-7894&trxp1=HP-24007&trxp2=0&trxp3=32526&brand=7894&rolled=true) - are you sure you have a chelated product?

The only Nature Made products I found were magnesium oxide (not what you want) - and yes the 63% DV figure is mentioned in respect of the 250mg one.

[labuchanan]

OOPS!!!! You're right! Thanks! No wonder it doesn't seem to make a difference. Back to my research to find something that doesn't cause headaches. In thinking about it, one of the reasons I was staying away from the chelated minerals was that they were causing headaches. This needs some thought.

[labuchanan]

In further research it looks like TwinLab uses magnesium oxide and magnesium aspartate. I think they are highly regarded.

[mcsblues]

No. Any pill that tells you it combines an insoluble and poorly digested forms such as an oxide or carbonate (dolomite) with a chelated form such as aspartate or citrate, malate etc - particularly where the percentage of each isn't made clear (in which case you can assume it is mostly the cheaper poorly absorbed kind) - isn't worth taking IMHO.

Stick to the 100% chelated finds - citrate is the most common, but aspartate and malate - or where it just says chelated (without the chelating agent being stated) are fine. And because you guys have weird labelling laws (sorry but you do!) stick to Frank's suggestion in respect of getting the right amount of elemental magnesium. Oh yes, also when checking the label - again weird, but it appears you have to check the serving size as well. Sometimes the front says (say) 500mg - if you read the fine print on the back, you need to take 2 or more pills to get the 500mg (because the serving size is 2 pills ... or more!) Very, very weird!:p

[labuchanan]

Finally an answer to the original question. I found this piece at http://www.netnutritionist.com/fa12.htm. It lists several meds that are in common use these days and cause weight gain. Follow the link to read the whole article.

I am including a quote of the info about anti seizure medications.

"
"Anticonvulsants/Mood Stabilizers

These drugs were initially used only for seizure disorders. The following anticonvulsants are now prescribed frequently in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other selected forms of depression:

Carbamazepine (Tegretol®)
Divalproex (Depakote®)
Gabapentin (Neurontin®)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
Topiramate (Topamax®)
Anticonvulsants tend to cause hyperinsulinemia (elevated insulin in the blood) and increased appetite leading to weight gain. Hyperinsulinemia also results in increased testosterone, which causes a risk to women on these medications for development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POS). Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause weight gain, male pattern baldness, increased facial hair, skin tags, acne, infertility, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and heart disease.
Seizure disorder studies showed that patients taking anticonvulsants who had either a normal or below normal body mass index had the most severe weight gain."

[kwe730]

labuchanan...Sorry I am jumping into this late in the game. I just posted on another thread regarding Depakote. I've been on it for about 12 years for epliepsy and have constantly struggled with my weight since. My last two neurologists have been very open to the idea of the fact that their patients on Depakote gain weight and I've always gotten lots of support where this is concerned. The epilepsy support boards are full of people posting about how their seizure drugs cause them to gain weight and as a result, the doctors hear about it too. You might try going to Epilepsy Foundation of America, pulling up their boards and seeing what people are saying.

Have you tried any other drugs for your headaches? Quite honestly, have you ever sought out a second opinion. Perhaps there's another drug that would help you.

Good luck!

[labuchanan]

Thank you for the response. Since I have options, I am trying taking magnesium and it seems to be helping the Headaches. I became very concerned when I figured out the Valproic Acid (Depakote) was causing hyperinsulemia.

Does it help you if you avoid grains and eat a Paleo diet? I find that I can eat a little brown rice, but gluten containing grains contribute to my headaches. I don't know if it is a sensitivity or a cousin of epilepsy. And a purified fish oil concentrate helps as well. The EPA/DHA have major influences on brain activity and internal inflammation.

I will check out the link.

Another factor that seems to make a difference is eating foods that are at least naturally raised. No hormones or antibiotics. A fully organic diet is out of reach of my budget. For those fortunate to be near a Trader Joe's, their foods and dairy are produced without antibiotics and hormones and their prices are very good. The FDA may not be able to tell the difference, but my body can.

[kwe730]

I don't really think your headaches are a "cousin" of epilepsy. Epilepsy implies seizures that have to do with misfiirings in the brain. For those of us who have epilepsy, this is a pretty black/white thing. You either have it or you don't. I am under the care of a neurologist. Who exactly prescribed the Depakote for you? Have you ever seen a neurologist? There's also a lot of headache specialists out there, so you might try one of those.

Since I started Protein Power, my weight stays a little bit lower, but more importantly, I just feel trimmer and better. Brown rice and most grains are just not in my diet anymore.

About 17 years ago, I suddenly started experiencing classic migraine headaches. I followed my first inclination and eliminated various things in my diet that I thought might be causing them. Turns out I am very sensitive to Nutrasweet and that was what was setting off the headaches.

[labuchanan]

I don't know if the two conditions are related or not. I have heard both of them described as irritation in the brain. And there are those who claim that diet affects both.

Anyway, I have tried all the standard meds for headaches and the only one that has helped and had the fewest side effects is the valproic acid.

I also have a very long list of trigger foods, and another list of foods that I suspect. Nutra sweet (aspartame) is one of them that I know causes headaches.

Thanks