Keppra side effects

[valeriedl]

I noticed in another post that someone mention that one of the side effects of keppra is anger and rage, or something like that.

I know that things make me very angry at times and it's usually in public places where it will really tic me off. Sometimes I'll even end up sort of telling someone off in the grocery store for blocking the aisle standing there talking instead of letting room for peoble to get by. I don't yell at them, but I'll say "Excuse me" in a loud angry voice with an evil look on my face.

My real problem is kids. I've ended up actually yelling at peoples kids at parties and we've had to leave. I've also yelled at peoples kids in stores too. I don't know if it's the fact that the parents aren't watching them and letting them do whatever, like in the stores picking things up off the shelf and throwing them around or the ones that run as fast as they can and then jump on the back of the buggy and cruise through the store. I could go through a long list of things but I don't want to waste every one's time listening to me rant.

My friend came over today and has a little girl about 5. I came out into the living room and she was coloring all over the coffee table. My friend wasn't in the room at the time so I know she didn't see her. But I let loose on the kid. I don't swear I just yelled and told her basically she was old enough to know better and if I caught her again she was going to sit in the corner till she left.

My friend didn't get mad at me though (I don't think at least) for letting her kid have it. But this is just something that happens to me without even realize that I'm giving it to someone until I'm done. Sometimes I don't even think that I was that mean with someone until someone else tells me, but in all I don't think I've done anything wrong becuase the person or kid needed to know what they were doing.

Could this be a side effect of Keppra?

[sbncmo]

Irritability, anger, depression - they are all side effects of Keppra, but not everyone suffers from them. Actually only 15% suffer from "Keppra rage". I was one them. Only my rage didn't come & go with little irritable things. My rage was constant. I kept it all bottled up. I'm a person who has never used a foul word in my life. As a youth, I wouldn't even use the word "butt". But when I was on Keppra, for 4 agonizing weeks my mind screamed profanities, calling myself horrible things, calling other people horrible things in my mind, feeling like destroying things, etc. I was so afraid something would slip out that I wouldn't talk. I was on Keppra for 3 weeks before my doctor said I couldn't tolerate it & spent another week weaning off of it. Unfortunately I was put on another one that did the same thing. I was in torture for 2 months before I got those meds out of my system.

If you feel that you are behaving or feeling in a way that is unusual for you, please discuss it with your doctor, because if you are having "keppra rage", it will not go away. Take care & let us know what you find out.

Shelia

[Endless]

Valerie,

What you are describing can definitely be a side effect of Keppra.

For lots of info, do a search on "Kepprage" here in the forum. Look at the top of the page at click on "peer support." Then look a little farther down to the right and click on "search." Then type in "Kepprage." You'll get an earful (or an eyeful!).

Some people in here say that Vitamin B supplements help some. Some people say it gets better. Most say it doesn't, they just cope. Knowing what side effects you can tolerate and which you can't is a balancing act. Talking it over with your neurologist will help. Together you can decide if you will stick with the Keppra and just live with the rages, or whether switching your meds would make more sense.

Hang in there. It takes awhile to get these meds right.

[ajax]

Valerie, what you described is SO frustrating. I was a levetiracetamonster not too long ago. If you are experiencing these side-effects, I would say you're doing well if your anger is incited at identifiable causes. When I was on Keppra I was SO ANGRY constantly. I was Katrina in a kettle; throwing tantrums complete with wall-punching and projectiles for NO REASON at all! I felt like I had lost. my. mind. I was mortified. God forbid if I had been around children at the time.

Don't feel bad. It's the drugs. I wish I could tell you I stuck it out on keppra, and the side effects wore off, but i also couldn't keep any food down on it, so I bagged it. With other meds I've tried though, side effects have subsided substantially after 2-3 wks. Keep breathing. Recognize that it's the meds talking, and if you haven't killed anyone yet for no good reason, you're doing GREAT.

Best of luck! You got this.

[valeriedl]

There have been times that I will get so angry or frustrated about something and I do feel like punching a hole in the wall. I've got a punching bag around here somewhere and I wish I could find it because there are times that I just want to beat the crap out of it.

[sbncmo]

Hi Endless, I too have read several say that B12 & B6 help with the side effects. Well, I think that is a lot of garbage myself. For one thing, if a person is taking vitamins in tablet form, a very small amount actually gets into the body's system to do any good. Second, I recieve B12 shots every month (have been for 2 years now) & the shots are better absorbed into the body, almost 100%. However the B12 shots did nothing to improve side effects to Keppra or any of my other anti-epileptic drug's. When having Keppra rage or any other side effect, I think vitamin tablets are a waste of money & time.

Valeriedl, I agree with the others & as I stated above - absolutely talk to the doctor because keppra rage does NOT go away. I know exactly how you feel about wanting to punch a hole in the wall. I had images in my mind of taking a hammer or a board and just smashing everything in sight. I didn't like how I felt & for me it was constant. People could say the most innocent thing & I felt like attacking them. It took the greatest restraint not to respond verbally or physically. So, even though you have anger that isn't constant, you still need to address it with you doctor. I know you don't want to feel this way - none of us do. And changing your med is an easy thing for the doctor to do. I hope you are able to get on something that will control your seizures without the bad side effects. Please, talk to your doctor immediately! And let us know what happens - we all care here.

Shelia

[huskymom]

Valerie,

Not to worry, the kid deserved it LOL. I would have come unhinged if a 5 year old was drawing on my coffee table. Hang in there. At least you know where your anger is coming from

[Nakamova]

Hi sbncmo --

B6 may not work for you but it has helped others, on this site and elsewhere.

From wikipedia:

Keppra Side effects

Side effects include: hair loss; pins and needles sensation in the extremities; anxiety and psychiatric symptoms ranging from irritability to depression; and other common side effects like headache and nausea. Recent literature suggests that the addition of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may curtail some of the psychiatric symptoms.

In general, the B vitamins help maintain nervous system functioning and don't tend to have side effects, so they can be worth a trying if there's a chance they'll will help with the moodiness (Always check with your doc first).

[Cint]

Hi Endless, I too have read several say that B12 & B6 help with the side effects. Well, I think that is a lot of garbage myself. For one thing, if a person is taking vitamins in tablet form, a very small amount actually gets into the body's system to do any good. When having Keppra rage or any other side effect, I think vitamin tablets are a waste of money & time.

Valeriedl, I agree with the others & as I stated above Please, talk to your doctor immediately! And let us know what happens - we all care here.

Shelia

Sheila,

I'm glad you feel the same way I do. I take a large dosage of Keppra and don't take any B12 & B6 to help with the side effects for the very reason you stated. And I also have diabetes, the vitamins sometime interfere with my glucose levels so that doesn't work for me and it doesn't make a difference in moods.

Valerie and Sheila,
Sometimes I think the problem(s) is the drug or it could be an interictal problem that goes along with epilepsy for some people. Check this out:

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/beh...onalitychanges

[sbncmo]

Nakamova, I'm not saying B vitamins won't work for anyone. I'm sure it does work for some people, it just doesn't work for me, even in shot form. Studies have shown that only a small percentage of tablet form vitamins are absorbed by the body. Maybe that small percentage is all that some people need to control their moodiness. If it works for them, that's wonderful. But anyone who wants to take vitamins needs to consult their doctor first as you stated, because the fact is that sometimes vitamin pills can cause more harm than good. So, I'm not saying don't take them. I'm just saying check into it first and realize that what works for one person may not work for another. It isn't just the side effects of ep med that needs to be considered - a person's entire health situation needs to be taken into account & guided by their doctor.

No offense intended in my previous post. I'm just one who is very cautious with any med - Rx or OTC, which includes vitamins & minerals. I happen to be one who is very sensitive to vitamin C tablets (severe headaches). Any med should be approached with caution & under a doctor's advice.

Shelia

[Endless]

Hi, All,

Re: Vit B

If in doubt, talk to your doctor about whether it would be a good thing for you and your situation. Everyone's needs are different. My PCP recommended the B after I tested low. After starting it I definitely felt better - way better.