Hi

[grateful7677]

Hi, my name is Suzy. I live in the NE of the country. I am 33 yrs old. I started having partial complex seizures when I was 15 years old. Tegretol was my first perscription and the side effects were troublesome at first. I had a major UTI tht went undiagnosed for over a week. (They had me on 1000 mgs a day) A complete grand mal seizure. The blurred vision and everything. Anyway up unitl about 2 1/2 weeks ago I was controlling my seizures with 1 200 mg tablet. This worked for over 1 and a half yrs. I needed to go see my neurologist becaseu he wouldnt fill my rx. It was the first tmie I saw him in 5 years. He prescribed lexapro, which i had been on before, but was really on the fence about getting involved with again. 12 days after i start4ed the lex. i began to have seizures. Immediately my neurologist said to stop taking tegretol. Since then I have been in the er 2 times. I had my first tonic clonics (on 1000 mgs of tegretol), three of them in a row while at the craft store yesterday. Finally this time a the er they gace me KEPPRA. does anyone use this? So now I am on 300mgs teg and 1000mgs Keppra. and also a small dosage of Ativan as needed. I have so far missed 2 full weks of work and will not be able to return nxt week until i am seizure free. I am so pissed, depressed lonely, and realized that i really do not have any eral friends. Only one person, my ex boyfriend has come to hang out with me and brign me to the store and stuff, dont get me wrong we are still great firends and sometimes i think we still are in love, but I am feeling lonely, depressed, I dont think i am having normal thoughts. I feel like everyone is talking about me and is keeping their distance. I want to go out. Even when Mark picks me up, we go for hikes or to the beach, not around anyone else and only for an hour or 2. I feel what i need right now is a party with all of my closest friends, yet i feel like everyone is avaoiding me. I think this is the depression talking. I just want this all straightened out. I feel remorseful for not appreciateing my life more when i was seizure free. Please anyone who can relate, i would love to hear from you.

[epileric]

The depression you described sound similar to what I went through when I was on Keppra. It's known for side-effects like anger, depression, paranoia. Many people here have said that vitamine B6 helps those side-effects, for others it just doesn't work. If you haven't tried it I'd say try it for at least a week before deciding if it's helping.

You are lucky to have your ex still be so supportive. Not everyones ex's are like that. It's pretty amazing here how many people have gone through similar experiences with similar situations. I'd recommend checking out the "library" here as an excellent resource. There's also the "padded room" which is just a great place to vent.

Welcome to the club.

[grateful7677]

Thanks a lot, that makes me a little worried, because even on the low dosage of 200mgs of tegretol I still had depression. Well, I see my doctor on Tuesday to discuss Keppra, what medication do you take currently?

[epileric]

Currently I'm only on Tegretol but a high dose.

[Nakamova]

Hey grateful7677, welcome to CWE!

I agree with Eric -- a lot of the mood stuff can come from the meds. If it feels like it's messing with your quality of life, then it's worth bringing up with your neurologist. Also -- if you are aren't comfortable with a decision your neurologist makes about your medication (likes switching you to Lexapro) don't be afraid to challenge him until you feel comfortable with your treatment plan.

Best,
Nakamova

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

Greatful, there are lots of anti-depressants out there that can work in conjunction with your anti-epileptic drugs. I take Effexor (which I've been taking for umteen years for clinical depression), Lamictal, which at its lowest level acts as an anti-depressant, at its next level, its an anti-seizure drug, and at its highest level, it's for bipolar people. I also take Klonopin for anxiety.

Finding the right combo of meds is a crap shoot. But with time, you'll find what works for you. Just hang in there. (And get rid of the Keppra if it's messing with your head.)

[Ruth]

Hi Suzy, welcome to CWE. You have come to the best forum for epilepsy. It was made out of love by Bernard for his wife Stacy. That love permeates throughout the whole forum.

I am on Keppra, I was told by my neurologist to take Vitamin B Complex. Start taking it. It took a few weeks before it worked for me. Never quit taking a medicine on your own. Always ask your doctor for directions.

I am on Mysoline, Keppra, Lamictal, Neurontin and clonazepam for my seizures.

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

Here's some info on the B's:

Vitamin B6 — A necessary cofactor in the metabolism of a variety of neurotransmitters. It’s needed for normal brain function. Protein rich foods such as chicken, fish, beans, and nuts are good sources. Other foods rich in Vitamin B6 include brewer’s yeast, milk, rice, green leafy vegetables, peanuts, carrots and cereals.

Vitamin B12 — Needed for proper digestion, the formation of cells, and the production of myelin, the protective coating surrounding the nerves. Vitamin B12 helps prevent nerve damage and levels may be reduced by some anticonvulsant drugs. Foods rich in Vitamin B12 include liver (best source), beef, chicken, pork/ham, fish, whole eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt.