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Are Diarrhea And Vomiting Symptoms Of Celiac Disease?
Question: Hello, my 28 yr old son has had what we believe is 3 nocturnal seizures. We went to the ER 1st two times. Both times he was dehydrated and was given fluids and potassium. 1st time they ran a CAT scan which was fine, sent him home. The 2nd time they gave him 7 days worth of Keppra and referred him to a neurologist. Neuro changed his meds 3 days ago to Lamotrigine 25MG once a day in morning for 3 days. Then morning & night for 7 days. Then one morning, two at night for 7 days, then back to one morning, one night thereafter. He had another seizure last night (we got it on film this time). Today he is supposed to start one morning one night. He can remember waking with an aura at 2:30am, then blacked out. Woke up with his jaw locked open (for the 3rd time). Is that common in nocturnal seizures? Back, arms, jaw and legs feel like he was hit by a truck. He has had diarrhea and been vomiting for 3 days on the meds. Trying to drink lots of fluids. Do these meds just take time to start controlling the seizures. He is suffering all the symptoms of Celiac disease. Bad stomach issues, vomiting often for some time, can't gain weight no matter what he eats, etc. Neuro ordered MRI and 24 hour EEG and MRI. We don't see him again for a month. Any advice on the Jaw and meds & celiac would be so much appreciated. Thank you...
Brief Answer:
Possible side effects of Lamotrigine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
I don't think it is coeliac disease that is causing your son's vomiting and diarrhea, those symptoms are probably side effects of Lamotrigine use.
Vomiting can be related to increased intracranial pressure from different conditions and MRI will give valuable information about this possibility.
Coeliac disease is a condition related to gluten intolerance and avoiding gluten containing food is the best treatment.
So, your son can use gluten free food, if you suspect coeliac disease is causing vomiting, stomach upset and diarrhea.
Muscles and joints pain, stiffness are all symptoms of nocturnal seizures.
Correct control of seizures should prevent these symptoms too.
Keppra is a good possibility to control nocturnal seizures, other possible drugs to use in such cases are Oxcarbazepine, Phenytoin, Valproate etc.
Valproate helps in weight gain too.
To conclude, in my opinion, Lamotrigine should be substituted with another antiseizure drug, ( valproate for example ) and a benzodiazepine ( clonazepam 3x0.5 mg for one week ) should be used too, until long term antiseizure drug starts to have the maximal effects.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Possible side effects of Lamotrigine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
I don't think it is coeliac disease that is causing your son's vomiting and diarrhea, those symptoms are probably side effects of Lamotrigine use.
Vomiting can be related to increased intracranial pressure from different conditions and MRI will give valuable information about this possibility.
Coeliac disease is a condition related to gluten intolerance and avoiding gluten containing food is the best treatment.
So, your son can use gluten free food, if you suspect coeliac disease is causing vomiting, stomach upset and diarrhea.
Muscles and joints pain, stiffness are all symptoms of nocturnal seizures.
Correct control of seizures should prevent these symptoms too.
Keppra is a good possibility to control nocturnal seizures, other possible drugs to use in such cases are Oxcarbazepine, Phenytoin, Valproate etc.
Valproate helps in weight gain too.
To conclude, in my opinion, Lamotrigine should be substituted with another antiseizure drug, ( valproate for example ) and a benzodiazepine ( clonazepam 3x0.5 mg for one week ) should be used too, until long term antiseizure drug starts to have the maximal effects.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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