Just a question

[Captkev]

Ive been on Keppra a month, and it seems Ive had 2 maybe 4 absence seizures since Ive been put on the medication. Is this normal? Ive only recently been diagnosed and this is the only seizure meds ive ever taken.

[CrunchyFrog]

You may need to go back to the doctor. I'm not on Keppra but, it took a while to sort out my medication and the dose I needed to control my seizures. Let your doctor know you may have to increase the dosage or try a different med.

[Endless]

Captkev,

Are absence seizures something you've had before, or is it something new?

Increased or new seizures are not listed as a side effect of Keppra, but that doesn't mean it didn't do so for you. If you've had these before and they just aren't under control - yes, that is common. Sometimes the doctor has to tweak your dose, and sometimes add a second med to get it all under control. In any case, be sure to tell your neurologist about the absence seizures.

Here's a link to the package insert for Keppra:
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed...fo.cfm?id=8967

Let us know how you are doing, okay?

[Captkev]

Im doing well thanks. And no I suppose ive been having absence seizures for a while i just didnt know what they were. I called the neurologist and am waiting for a follow up. I feel like the Keppra has decreased the absence seizures, but Im really not sure, because before i wasnt looking for them like I am now, if that makes any sense. Ill keep yall updated.

[msuder0583]

I know this might not be too helpful or reassuring to you, but the only seizures I've ever had were tonic clonics, and just the Lamictal and Topamax combo controlled them, however with the latest tonic clonics I was put on Keppra ontop and now I have had some absences so I don't think it controls them very well. Topamax works really well for them though - I do know that. The problem is though, that Topamax has terrible side effects for some people.

[Captkev]

Heard from my neurologist, hes upping my dosage from 1500mg to 2000mg a day of Keppra, hopefully this will kill these stupid things!

[Endless]

Hey, Captkev,

Just met your wife. Glad you are both hanging out here.

It's also possible that your seizures were in the process of getting worse, and the meds just slowed that down. You would have gotten absence seizures whether you were on meds or not, just much worse if not on meds.

I think that's the case for me. I think my seizures were getting exponentially worse before my diagnosis, and the meds have slowed it way down, though everything isn't under control yet.

[knothing]

just a few thoughts from a Keppra taker.

1. Now you are counting these so good news in that. Keep a journal with date time and what you were doing.
2. You may not have reached the effective dose for you.
3. It does take a little time to fully be effective but that depends on the person. (Increasing the amount was not bad depending on side effects)
4. With the journal you will be able to tell if the drug is really being effective.

Hopefully you can get this under control.