Neurological Disorders - Newbie Question RE Depakote, hyperammonemia

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Newbie Question RE Depakote, hyperammonemia

2006-07-13, 2:28 am

Hello:

I have a son, 22, ten years post trauma, TBI. He has managed pretty well
but with significant problems with repetitive skills, short term memory,
the usual. He's hanging on by a thread to a job at the local Taco Bell
but only due to the kindness of the manager.

For the last seven or eight years he has been treated for seizures; the
latest and most successful is 2 grams of Depakote daily.

For weeks, he has suffered debilitating headaches. Our neurologist
tested his "levels" and found the Depakote to be satisfactory but his
serum ammonia level is elevated. He has prescribed 990 MG of
Levocarnitine daily.

Anyone heard of this-?? I read tonight that Depakote has been linked to
liver damage. Liver problems can, apparently, result in elevated
ammonia. Naturally, we are concerned.

I should point out that our boy's diet is abysmal: soft drinks, chips,
processed junk--nary a bite of fruit or vegetable. I hold out little
hope for a change in his eating habits, But I wonder: is there a dietary
regimen that can help with this ammonia toxicity-?

Thanks for your patient attention. Any help is appreciated.

Buzz in N Texas.

orthomolecular

2006-07-13, 1:44 pm

Arginine may be the answer but this is something you should discuss with his doctor. Taking any amino acid long term can cause problems. I believe that supplementing arginine will cause an imbalance of lysine, but that is just from memory and may be wrong. But this is something you can try but doing it long term may cause other problems to develop.

orthomolecular

2006-07-13, 1:52 pm