Hi, I'm a noob.

[Robconoclast]

Hello, I was diagnosed with Partial Complex Epilepsy in Mid September. All my life I've had symptoms but never knew what they were. Four years ago I had a partial seizure while eating out with my fiance. About 1.5 months ago I had a seizure and while in the hospital I experienced another partial seizure except I guess I was babbling when I thought I was answering questions. I'm on Keppra and an EEG revealed abnormal brain activity in my fron left lobe when I sleep. I still eexperience deja vu but no flashbacks since I've been on the medication. I have been having mood swings though and I'm wondering if I'm having blood pressure issues. related to the medication.

Other than that, I'm a cook into wining and dining, photography, and live music.

[Nakamova]

Welcome Robconoclast!

I hope you feel free to wander around and settle in. You can search for information in various threads, start your own, thread, and vent and chat as needed.

A number of folks on Keppra take vitamin B6 to help with the mood swings. You might want to give that a try.

Best,
Nakamova

[epileric]

Welcome Robconoclast (try saying that 10 times as fast as you can)

I was born with seizures, partials (petit mal back in the old days) but when I was 18 I had my first tonic/clonic. I've been on meds all my life except for a few years & I've found that mood swings are a side-effect of most anti-epileptic drugs.

It is hard with the anti-epileptic drug's because some do effect personality more than others. What's even harder sometimes is deciding whether the various side-effects outweigh the benefits of preventing seizures.

Keep us updated how your treatments proceed.

Also you might want to check out spebers auditorium if you like live music. We've got a few musicians & audiophiles on this site.

[Robconoclast]

Been taking Vitamin B, I also find myself really sensitive to caffiene and alcohol at times since being on the meds. I also wonder if the medication is messing with my brain's chemistry...my mother's side of the family has issues with alcoholism, depression, and schizophrenia so I am a bit worried about that starting to surface.

[Nakamova]

Unfortunately, all the anti-epileptic drugs mess with brain chemistry -- they have to be powerful enough to cross the blood-brain barrier, which basically means they're heavy-duty.
Of all the anti-epileptic drug meds, Keppra is the one most linked to moodiness, so if it seems to be really messing with you, you should ask your neurologist about trying something else. If the first drug you were put on has controlled your seizures, that bodes well for another one doing so as well.

[Meetz1064]

and how do you do, Robconoclast?

Have you considered making nutritional changes, and using such things as the GARD, Modified Atkins or the LGIT diets to help you? Also, do you keep an E journal so that you can determine your triggers?

Just some things to think about. If you want to start that E journal, I have a great list to use...

Feel free to check out all of the nooks and crannies here...the Kitchen and the Library are full of information, and the Padded Room is great for venting when you need to. And trust me, we've all been there at least once or twice...

[Robconoclast]

I think I have one more refill and then I see the neurologist. Basically September 12 I had the Grand Mal and Partial Seizures, released the next day and slept for 3 days taking some time off work. Spent two weeks seeing neurologists and my primary doctor, and once I began taking the increased dose as prescribed I really began to notice a difference.

Its a blessing in a disguise....I'm a workaholic and this has forced me to take time to relax and look at life differently. Unfortunately I withdrew from my classes as I fell behind but I'll retake them next semester.

[KelVarQ]

When I was first put on Keppra I ended up sleeping for about the 1st week. After that I started balancing out and although I was still tired I was able to get through the day without having to nap. I also had the mood swings and B12 is also a good one. I called B12 my happy pill and I was getting B12 shots from my primary since I was low in B12 prior to even going on Keppra and now I just take a supplement B12. I personally couldn't handle Keppra and went off it, but there are others who handle it fine and the tiredness should get better and if not, don't be afraid to find something that works best for you.

[danjor]

Welcome, I'm Jordan. This is a great group of people here. Check out all the nooks and cranny's of the site and I look forward to seeing you post! Feel free to message me anytime!

[BuckeyeFan]

Welcome fellow Ohioan! I am from the other side of the state, but from what I have heard Cleveland has some great medical resources including for Epilepsy.

Do a search on Keppra and you will finds TONS of info here. I was on it 5 years myself with good control. I changed early this year due to side effects, but the first 4 years were pretty good.

Stay away from the alcohol, but it sounds like you already understand that.



Quite a few threads floating around dealing with food, most E-related, but some just general.

Visit Speber's Auditorium for music and discussions on its impact.