coming off keppra.

[crazychick]

I have been off keppra 8 days now my hair is still falling out loads. Hiw long does it take before it stops? i am on celazette pill which is an estrigen free pill could this be causing my hair loss still? any advice would be great.

 

[Nakamova]

Anti-seizure meds are very powerful -- they have to be just to cross-the blood-brain barrier -- so it takes a while for the body and brain to readjust once they leave the system. It take 2-3 days for the Keppra to completely leave your system, but it can take a few weeks for your body to re-calibrate in its wake. I know it's hard to be patient, but hang in there.

 

[crazychick]

Thanx. Hope it sorts itself out. I jyst hope this pill isnt makin my hair fall out too.

 

[crazychick]

off keppra

I have been off keppra 10 days now and my hair and eyebrows are still coming out. Is this normal? any advice qould be grateful.

 

[Lewall]

My neurologist just added Keppra -- also taking Depakote. I have heard some unpleasant things about Keppra, but never this. Now I am even more concerned about this med. I've been researching the side effects ever since my appointment and now I will be checking hair loss out as well. That would be very difficult to deal with, even if it is only a temporary adjustment. Thank you for bringing this up.

 

[crazychick]

I found it difficult to deal with and still do. Hope ya dnt have all the horrible side affects that i had. Good luck and let me know how u gwt on.

 

[Lewall]

This past week was my introducory dose of Keppra -- half a tab twice a day. Now i am moving into the full dose. Even on half a tab, I've noticed a lot of dizziness (which is normal for AED's) and drowsiness. Problem is, this was started for the purpose of reducing or stopping myoclonics and it isn't doing much to help. It all comes down to how much sleep I get and how much anxiety I experience.

 

[Nancylies]

Help husband on 1000mg of keppra following a grandmal seizure in late sept 2011 he had the seizure following a stroke from a dissected carotid artery ...tripped on a rug at work ...dissected artery got the stroke now seizure now on keppra now sleeps all day more and more every day. Hasn't eaten in 2 days. Only has drank maybe 20 ounces of water in the last 2 days. Has a death wish...no one knows or can help with anything..... If you can please email me ASAP the neurologists don't seem to know either.

 

[epileric]

Welcome Nancylies,

What you described is very similar to the side-effects I experienced when on Keppra. I was always tired, forgetful, too spaced out to read & remember what I read and I could have slept any time.

Levetiracetam is, in general, well tolerated[5] but may cause drowsiness, weakness, unsteady walking, coordination problems, headache, pain, forgetfulness, anxiety, irritability or hostility, dizziness, moodiness, nervousness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and changes in skin color.

Some serious side effects can be depression, hallucinating (hearing voices or seeing visions that do not exist), suicidal thoughts, seizures that are worse or different, fever, sore throat, and other signs of infection, double vision, itching, rash, swelling of the face. A study published in 2005 suggests that the addition of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may curtail some of the psychiatric symptoms.[6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levetiracetam

Many people on this site have also had success with vitamin B6 but not everyone. I would suggest your husband try that & if not then ask the neurologist what other anti-epileptic drug he would suggest since Keppra seems to be lessening his quality of life rather than increasing it.

 

[Nancylies]

You pretty much nailed it right now the seizure is less scary than this behavior it's like he is in a coma....the only thing he will do is go to the bathroom which with no food for 2days and maybe 20ounces of water isn't going to br much won't talk says he hates everyone...even his new grandbaby