Keppra and dizziness

[munchy]

Hey everyone,

I just got back from a very disappointing trip to the neuro. I'm currently taking Keppra and tegretol for my SPS, these aren't working too well, still having seizures and side effects I could really live without, such as a new type of SP, thumb twitching. Also, this is the one that really bothers me, dizziness. I feel like I'm about to pass out and I feel like I'm fighting to stay conscious. This is particularly worrying especially when I am walking my 3 year old home from playschool or cooking. Both the Dizziness and thumb twitching started after I started taking Keppra.

Well the neuro decided to increase the Keppra to 2000mg a day. I am quite upset about this as surely the dizziness will get worse? She didn't tell me whether the dizziness is a side effect or seizure activity, I had assumed it was a side effect, but now I'm wondering if she might think it's seizure related. I feel really let down now as I've been waiting for ages for this appointment to talk about this dizziness. My GP doesn't help much so there's no point in talking to her about it, she'll just increase the tegretol and I'll turn back into the zombie I was before my dose was reduced.

I don't know how long I'll have to wait to see my normal neuro again, the one I saw today wasn't my usual one as she's on maternity leave. Argh, I'm really annoyed about it all. I'll give the increased dose a go but if it makes the dizziness worse I'll have to make an urgent appointment.

Has anyone else had dizziness problems with Keppra? Or Dizziness as seizure activity? I'd just really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Sorry for the rant!

Munchy xx

 

[Nakamova]

Dizziness can be a side effect of Keppra, although it's supposed to be less if you taper on slowly. I'm get dizziness with the Lamictal I'm on, but it's not the kind where I'm about to pass out, more like the kind where I move my head and the world moves about a second later.

Is there a way you can call the neurologist's office to ask about the dizziness -- whether they think it's side effect or seizure? Of course they might not know for sure either, in which case your best bet is to pay close attention, take notes on how you feel as you go higher on the Keppra, and if it gets a lot worse and doesn't stabilize then call and be a squeaky wheel -- to your neurologist, to your G.P., whatever it takes.

 

[epileric]

Dizziness was a strong side-effect for me when I was on Keppra. First it only lasted until I got used to it but when the dosage was upped the dizziness came back & never went away (though it wasn't constant).

I also started having numerous smaller seizures throughout the day when before the Keppra I rarely had more than 1 a day.

 

[Crystal11]

Hello- I take Keppra XR 3000mg, Tegretol XR 600mg and now Lamictal 200mg a day for complex partial seizures and now I've been having drop attacks where I can be talking, walking doing anything and all of a suddent down I go! Very scary- anyway- about the Keppra, it can make you dizzy and give you balance problems which it has for me. When I turn to the right it does it worse. Because I have both vision and profound hearing that also contributes to being off balance. But it got worse with the Keppra- just kinda been living with it. I use my guide dog for support sometimes when I'm standing and not walking etc.
Sometimes while standing, I go backwards but not to the point of falling- just don't realize I'm going backwards until I have to catch myself.
It is a side effect of Keppra- it happens to me.
I would call your neuro and ask to at least speak to them about how you are feeling. The point is to be on the lowest dose of meds while keeping good seizure control, with the least amount of side-effects but sometimes it isn't possible right away. Hopefully you will get ride of the dizziness within the week or two. You could ask to go up on the Tegretol and lower on the Keppra too- Just some ideas..

Take care,
Crystal