Question: QUESTION: Please refer to medical history. Decmax dosage will end in next 16 days (no problem here). But both Levipil 500 and Encorate Crono 200 seems to work on seizures/fits and they are advised for "2 years" at HCG (by the Radio Oncologist who did the RadioTherapy). Levipil 500 was prescribed by the Manipal surgeon - post surgery and HCG doctors do not want to change that. Do we need to continue both Levipil 500 and Encorate crono 200 together (what is the advantage really of using 2 medicines which seems to address the same issue of seizures/fits)? How long should these be continued? Can they be stopped in near future (if yes, any serious problems anticipated?) - and if they can be stopped should the dosage be reduced slowly?

Thank you Doctor, your answer helps a big way. So I understand continuing 1-0-1 dosage of Levipil 500 is ok (and no need to reduce dosage of that further to something like 1-0-0 or 0-0-1)?

Another follow up question is - if you have seen the symptoms I have mentioned, one major one which is simply not going off (it started about 3 weeks back and has probably peaked off in last 2-3 days) - is the face swelling and bloating of the belly (similar tightness of skin noted both in face and belly). The onco-medical doctor suggested during the 1st week that the steroid (Decmax) is the cause and the face swelling is a typical "moon face syndrome" (the belly bloating was not present then, it has just come up in last 7-8 days) and that it will go off as the steroids are tapered off.

From 1-1-1 of Decmax 4 mg dosage we came down to 1-0-1 on 20th Nov for a week, then to 1-0-0 from 27th for another week (then 1-0-0 on alternate days for last 2 weeks starting 4th Dec). But we have not seen any improvements - in fact it has become more puffed up and the belly has also expanded in last 3-4 days.

Question: Is Levipil or Encorate Chrono has anything to do with this?
PanD which she was taking was stopped by Doctors on 21st - can this by any chance play any role (slight suspicion because PanD was supposed to be for gastric ailments I presume. But there is no passing of wind/gas - so wondering why the belly is bloated).
Is Decmax the only reason for this? If so, do we have to wait till it finishes its course (that will take another 2.5 weeks) or we can do something in the interim?

Thanks and regards
XXXXXXX

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Please accept a heartfelt thanks from me and my wife, you have cleared all the clouds from our minds. I shall also get in touch with Dr. XXXXXXX at an opportune moment.

Thank you for your kind words, I don't have much knowledge, but I like to do studies and research on the topic and check out with authorities on the subject, like yourself, from time to time to clear my doubts. This is the most important thing in my life since the past 2.5 months now and I devote time in studying the disease, the treatments, and also alternate add-on treatment paths as well.

Thanks again, all my questions are answered as of now and I am proceeding to close the question as "answered" as per requirements of this website. But I would love to keep in touch with you in future.

thanks and regards
XXXXXXX