 |
 February 2008 |
|
Light the Flame: Annual Dinner and Auction
Local epilepsy experts Dr. David Vossler, Dr. Gail Anderson and Dr. Vaishali Phatak speak on topics such as psychosocial issues, anti-epileptic drugs and bone health in women and epilepsy. This conference is free of charge and is open to women with epilepsy, parents of girls epilepsy, school personnel, health care professionals and anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic. Click here for more information about the conference and to register. Questions? Please email msterling@epilepsynw.org Educational SeminarsEpilepsy Foundation Northwest is hosting two free educational seminars in Seattle and Everett. “Am I a Surgery Candidate?” by Drs. Lisa Caylor and Ryder Gwinn takes place on Thursday, 2/29 from 6:30pm at Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill Campus. “Epilepsy 101” by Dr. David Cawthon takes place on Saturday, 3/1 from 10:30am at Providence Everett. Click here for more details and to register. Questions? Please email msterling@epilepsynw.org or call (206) 422-6873. Epilepsy Updates The long-term use of some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may cause bone disorders. These can include short stature, abnormal teeth, and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where the density of calcium in the bone is substantially decreased. This leaves bone protein and a smaller amount of calcium behind, and results in brittle bones which can break more easily. Bone fractures (especially, hip) are more common in people taking certain AEDs. A lesser degree of bone calcium loss is called osteopenia. This is basically a milder form of osteoporosis.
A research study by Sato and colleagues in 2001 showed that bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in men and women with epilepsy was reduced an average of 14% with valproic acid/divalproex sodium and 13% with phenytoin compared to people not taking AEDs. Much less is known about whether bone disorders occur with the newer generation antiepileptic drugs approved in the United States since 1993: felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topriramate, tiagabine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, and pregabalin. Decreased calcium and phosphate mineral, and vitamin D, levels can sometimes be seen on blood tests that your doctor may order. Blood tests can also show elevated alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels with AED use. Adults who have taken older generation AEDs should ask their doctors about getting blood levels or BMD tests. BMD is often measured using a DEXA (dual X-ray absorption) scan. Children may need fasting calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone blood tests done (BMD measurements are not useful in children because they are growing). If testing is abnormal, treatment with Vitamin D or calcium, and even prescription osteoporosis medication, may be needed to prevent fractures. You should ask your physician about this and also whether or not you should be taking a daily multivitamin or a supplement with Vitamin D and calcium. This is general information that should not be taken as specific medical advice. These issues are presented only to encourage further awareness and discussion. Please consult your qualified, licensed healthcare professional for advice and recommendations. |
|
|
Join us for an evening of lively bidding, a delicious dinner and fun as we work to "Light the Flame" for people with epilepsy. This year’s auction takes place on March 8, 2008 from 6pm-10pm at Bell Harbor Conference Center on the Seattle Waterfront. Dr. Linda Moretti Ojemann, Retired Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine will be awarded the Arthur. A. Ward Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in Epilepsy. For more information about the event and to register, click 
Saturday, 4/26
Older generation AEDs which speed up the liver’s metabolism, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital (and possibly carbamazepine), accelerate the breakdown of Vitamin D. Decreased serum Vitamin D reduces blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. These, in turn, result in the breakdown of bone to try to maintain the normal calcium blood levels. A major natural source of Vitamin D is your skin when it is exposed to sunlight. However, in northern areas where sunlight exposure is less, and with the use sunscreens in the summer to prevent the later development of skin cancer, many people may already have low or borderline in Vitamin D levels. AEDs can, in theory, worsen that problem.
|
|