Keppra

[neilB]

Just curious, has anyone noted joint pain while on Keppra? My knees and ankles are becoming more and more bothersome lately. I've been on Keppra since about April (6 months maybe) and I've never noticed these problems.

Thanks,onder:

 

[Junebug]

Yes, I have. My knees hurt and my wrists get to the point that I need to 'stretch' them out.
I found that taking daily vitamins, especially glucosamine helps a lot. When I do that I don't have any joint pain at all.

 

[Endless]

Hi, Neil,

Have you had your vitamin D levels checked lately with a blood test? Anti-seizure meds suck the D out of your body.

Low vitamin D can make your joints hurt, even if you are officially above the minimum level (which is 30).

 

[neilB]

Hi Endless and Junebug,

I do take vitamins but I have an appt. on the 22nd so I was planning on bringing it up then. Thanks for the inputs.

 

[triller]

when I had my blood checked vitamin d was low now taking 1200 iu a day. did not know the meds could lower the d level.thanks

 

[daisy.girl]

I am just starting Keppra XR.....what are other common side effects? I have only taken it three nights now, but I am having abdominal cramps and discomfort....is this part of the keppra?

 

[neilB]

Keppra initially made me tired (but wasn't XR). I did have trouble reaching "therapeutic" levels so they kept upping my dosage from 500mg/day to today's 2500 mg/day. I do get a little "cranky" now and then which may or may not be "kepprage." I see the neuro in 2 weeks, so we'll see.

 

[Loopy Lou]

I get pains in my shoulders, wrists and knees a lot. Pains in my legs have been put down to needing an op to get rid of veins though, so i guess i'll have to wait til thats done before i can find out if it's the keppra.

Other than that and some tiredness though, i don't think i get any other side effects from keppra.

 

[Loopy Lou]

Oh yeah, i had a look, and it's listed as a fairly common side effect.

 

[ebaynard]

keppr and joint pain

My son added on keppra in June. He started having joint pain in his wrists the end of August. We are considering going back to zonegran instead of the keppra but are holding off to see if we get improved seizure control with the current dosage.

 

[daisy.girl]

just curious....what is a 'normal or average' dose of Keppra as a monotherapy??

 

[Endless]

Hi, Daisygirl,

At the end of this paper they have some dosages in terms of "mean daily dose":
http://www.mnepilepsy.org/epresearch/articles/antiepdrugs/HO BK AES 2003.pdf

Here's the package insert for Keppra. It has dosage ranges:
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=17142

 

[queen_mama]

Keppra side effects

I started having grand maul seizures a couple months ago and was put on keppra and dilantin and took them for about a week then threw them in the trash because the way they made me feel. So then I started having seizures again and the doc put me on keppra and lamictal.....I hated the feelings so I threw them in the trash too. I just got released from the hospital with keppra and dilantin agian and I have severe joint pain, confusion, slurring words, forgetting things, nausea, weakness, and an itchy chest. I want to throw them away again because the seizures feel better than the medication side effects. My doctor keeps telling me the meds don't cause these symptoms. I feel like I am losing my mind and hate my life now. I am miserable. Does anyone feel this way?

 

[Lainsta]

Hi Kepra, it is such a battle between good and evil when you reach that point on meds. I reached it 10 years ago and threw it all in. From my experience, if you want to do that you really need to be working with a medical proffesional that can see outside the square. I started reading a book called "epilepsy, a new approach" and it's helped me look at the situation from a myriad of angles......not just one.
First step, find the right doctor for you
good luck

 

[Endless]

Queenmama,

Your meds sure could make you feel that way. I'm concerned about the itchy chest. Do you have a rash? Watch carefully for a drug reaction rash. Those could be serious.

Here's a great site where PATIENTS, not the FDA/studies give feedback on side effects from the drugs. It contains a lot of stuff that doesn't show up in those 12-week studies.

www.askapatient.com

I'm on lamictal, and have joint pain as well as stabbing pains through my bones. Plus a bunch of other stuff, like blurry vision, headaches, etc.

Please consider finding a doctor that is more open to listening to you. I think the ideal is a neurologist who approaches this as a partnership with you. Illinois has lots of regional epilepsy centers - they will have lots of epi's (seizure specialists) to choose from. Here's a site where you can search for the one nearest to you:
http://www.naec-epilepsy.org/find.htm

Will you let us know how you are doing?

 

[queen_mama]

Thanks soooo much you rock.

 

[neilB]

Well, not sure if it is related to 2500mg of Keppra but I spent the afternoon in the ER after having a seizure in the morning. Needless to say, I wasn't TOO happy. Hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday Season!

Neil

 

[Endless]

Neil,

I'm so sorry about your seizure and the ER stay. That's awful. Right before the holiday, too. Try to take it easy and don't stress yourself out. And have a happy christmas.