is keppra my..nightmare?

[Katz]

You run the risk of status epilepticus which can kill you if you stop your meds on your own. I say you'd be better to tell your doctor the problems you are having so then they know what the problem is and can get you a medication that will work better for you. You know if something isn't right and your doctor knows the medication he gives you usually. Maybe check out Rxlist.com to see if what you are experiencing is a confirmed side effect. I usually look up my medications before putting them into my mouth to begin with. Since my health is my responsibilty and I feel more comfortable if I know what I'm taking is likely to do to me instead of trusting the doctor I make friends with the pharmicist since a pharmicist who likes you can point out maybe it isn't such a good idea to take this drug with this drug here and if the pharmicist doesn't catch the problem then looking it up is actually the best way to make certain your medications are compatiable. The doctors are busy, the pharmicists have alot of people to process most times and they aren't responsible for keeping you healthy, you are responsible for eating foods that are good for you, staying hydrated, making certain you weigh the right amount,knowing what everything you put into your body will do. Your doctor is there to help you but you have to do the work necessary to stay healthy. Understanding my meds and how they work helps me feel like I understand my situation alot better and am in control of my life. Yet this time I didn't have time to do that because I had other problems.

I'd say talk to your doctor and tell him what is going on. Also you might want to get counselling as well. It's helped me. Also writing your fear trying to describe it has helped too. Maybe you need get help with your fear Write down what scares you and leave the list and then start to think about why it scares you and calculate how likely that is to happen and then leave it alone for a bit. When I'm scared I always distract myself or look at jokes or watch TV. Or read a really funny book. Or think about things I'm not scared of like bunnies or cats. Or my friends and eating a truly outstanding pizza and drinking an ice cold beer. Thinking about beer has gotten me out of some pretty scary situations or food if you can't drink. Think about food and your friends when you are scared to death and the good times and it calms you right down.

[Katz]

Well, speaking to a labratory rat (I think I've tried all anti seizure medications) when I was on Keppra I itched (Everywhere!) so this medicine seems to have a lot of side effects!!!

Some days I feel like a lab animal. I've had all sorts of wires glued to my head at various periods of my life. I mean how does anyone expect someone to sleep with a bunch of wires glued to their head? The meds aren't so bad in my opinion compared to some of the other medications I've taken. I just hate the damned EEGs and the brain scans I've had those things all my life. Well I did go a little crazy at first on keppra until I gave up and saved sanity for later.

[BuckeyeFan]

Welcome to CWE - glad to have another member.



I take Keppra and Phenytek (dilantin). The keppra was added almost 5 years ago and I have not had a full tonic-clonic since.

I was on the dilantin by itself for 22 years before that and would have tonic clonic seizures anywhere from 6 months to two years apart. Hundreds of auras during that time frame which I only learned 7-8 years ago were actually seizures themselves, just not progressing into tonic clonic seizures.

FOR ME the keppra has been quite helpful for my seizures and auras. The side effects are many, but impact everyone differently. I just had my keppra reduced from 2000 mg per day to 1500. This was due to concentration/memory/focus issues which may have been caused by the keppra, phenytek, or possibly even a little depression. It is hard to say. I am feeling a little better on the new dosage, but it is also summer and I generally feel better emotionally during the warm months.



I hope you pull up a chair and visit with us for awhile. The answers are out there if we keep looking.

[morgan381]

I've been on keppra for about 5 years now. At first the side effects were horrible (headache, lethargy, irritability), but after about 3-4 months, they lessened, and by 6 months they weren't noticeable...until my doc increased my dose after having a seizure. When my doc increased the dosage, my son was only about 2 months old. I started to have very dark thoughts, depression, "maybe my family would be better off without me", apathetic, I didn't want to hold my son, etc. I told my doc about it, and she decreased the Keppra back to 1500mgX2 and added Lamictal 200mgX2. So far, so good. I was on the keppra through my pregnancy and didn't have any problems. Other than the initial "loading" time and the increased dose, I haven't had any major side effects. Just curious, what kind of side effects have others on keppra had?

[BuckeyeFan]

Hi Morgan

Do a search on Keppra and you will find several threads on the medication. I must say I was shocked that you were reduced back to 1500x2. 3000 mg a day is still a lot. I have not heard of anyone on more than that until now.

The dark thoughts are scary, because I had a few. It is VERY important that you keep telling yourself that is just the meds talking. Tell yourself everyday so it doesn't sneak up on you.

Check out the thread keppra - alone or adjunct in the Back Fence room.