lamictal dose bipolar
Is there a link of any kind between anticonvulsant drugs (Lamictal) and hypocalcemia (calcium in the blood)?
I've been taking Lamictal (50mg/day) for bipolar since last spring. Its positive effects began in early June '07. When I left the 50 mg dose of 100mg experienced muscle cramps and pains server. Since the 50 mg dose seemed to work for my bipolar doc said to go back to 50mg. It took a couple of days to reduce cramping. Since then I've had an increase in muscle pain and cramps. My regular doctor for my routine annual physical found very low blood calcium and ordered additional evidence. Many of the symptoms of calcium are the same as the possible side effects of anticonvulsants and I'm starting to wonder if the drug is the cause of low level calcium. Read websites about the side effects of these medications I think the mention of "abnormalities in blood tests', but not specific as well as similarities in the symptoms of low calcium. anticonvulsant block calcium (Ca ^ 2 +) channels. Does this show how low levels of calcium in blood?
Possibly, seizure medications, calcium channel block as you said, so inhibiting the action of calcium from the fibers innervating muscle. This will block the calcium to bind to the active site in the channel, however, since calcium only serves as a messenger and not very electrochemically regulated between extra cellular fluids and other things, that does not affect the concentrations in the same. This however seems to be a concern because there is calcium-regulated calcium transport in some epithelium of the muscles. The highest level of a double dose may be too rapid for the body to adapt to as this will cause an exponential factor from more channels and sites release are blocked this can cause a lot of calcium to remain in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle fibers and cause a slight decrease in plasma levels. I find it hard to believe that a doctor updos where the effects are imminent, persistent and adequate to treat seizures. My only recommendation is that you consult your doctor with your concerns and I am sure he will say it is cause for concern and further treatment or, possibly, changing the timing dose to allow the body to recover from some levels of calcium or even offer a different treatment.
