My name is Becki and I am 51 years old! I have mesial temporal sclerosis. My first grand mal seizure happened while I had a severe case of measles in 1964. After that I had "strange feelings" that would go away. Now I know they were seizures. I never told my mom about them until I was 16. Over the years I have taken phenobarbital, tegretol, dilatin and topamax. Currently I am taking Vimpat (starting in Aug 2011) and Zeppra (starting in 2000). Recently I have am noticing alot of mood changes where I yell at people and am short with people. Some of these mood swings happen at work. I don't want to lose my job. I normally would only have one petit mal seizure every few months. Now I notice my seizures are coming more often and a little stronger. Over a year ago, I was sent up to a specialist who listened to my history to see if brain surgery was an option. He spoke to his other doctors and they decided I didn't need it. I am hoping to go up there again for another appointment. I think the seizures are more stress related. I always take my medication on time.
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- Thread starter Bboedig
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Hi Becki, welcome to CWE!
Your mood changes may be due to the Keppra -- it's well-known to cause "Kepprage" and moodiness. Some folks have found that adding a B6 supplement can help with that particular side effect, so you may want to give that a shot. If your seizures are becoming more frequent, you may want to talk to your neurologist about adjusting your Vimpat and Keppra doses.
Another approach to consider is dietary. Especially with petit mal seizures, the Modified Atkins Diet has been shown to help. More info here: http://www.atkinsforseizures.com/
Best,
Nakamova
Your mood changes may be due to the Keppra -- it's well-known to cause "Kepprage" and moodiness. Some folks have found that adding a B6 supplement can help with that particular side effect, so you may want to give that a shot. If your seizures are becoming more frequent, you may want to talk to your neurologist about adjusting your Vimpat and Keppra doses.
Another approach to consider is dietary. Especially with petit mal seizures, the Modified Atkins Diet has been shown to help. More info here: http://www.atkinsforseizures.com/
Best,
Nakamova
Maybe keep a track to see if the mood swings are hormone related - it's tough being this age! Is there any way you can reduce the stress, clearly the extra seizures and the guilt and fear about losing control at work are adding to it and not helping.
DadofTwins
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Welcome!
Nakamova is a pillar of the community and is very knowlegeable.
I hope you find info and answers.
All the best!
Tom
Nakamova is a pillar of the community and is very knowlegeable.
I hope you find info and answers.
All the best!
Tom
Hello
When I was young my seizures would occur around the middle of my menstrual cycle. After all these years, I finally had a hysterectomy at the age of 45. Since then I have been on synthroid. I did the regular atkins diet for a few months until I had to have my gall bladder removed. I'll talk to my doctor about the Keppra dosage. Thanks so much for your advice.
When I was young my seizures would occur around the middle of my menstrual cycle. After all these years, I finally had a hysterectomy at the age of 45. Since then I have been on synthroid. I did the regular atkins diet for a few months until I had to have my gall bladder removed. I'll talk to my doctor about the Keppra dosage. Thanks so much for your advice.
huskymom
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Welcome!! I am sorry to hear that you are having problems. I know Keppra has the side effect of mood changes. I take 2,000mg of that and have not experienced it myself. I also take 600mg of Carbatrol. I was taking Vimpat, but found that it really did not help. Is there a possiblity to add something like prozac? I know that a lot of people have mixed feelings about that, but I have found it to be a real help with dealing with stress. I hope your doctor is able to help you!
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Since you had your gallbladder removed, you may be on a magnesium supplement. If not, you might want to discuss adding one with your doctor as well, since magnesium plays a huge part in brain health and elsewhere throughout the body. If you are deficient in it, that could be playing a role in triggering your symptoms.
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Hi Becki,
I started having seizures when I was 23 years old, starting like you described and then graduating to full blown TC seizures. I've tried 11 different drugs, had brain surgery, and still have an occasional seizure, so I think for you to forego brain surgery is a wise idea.
My seizures also happened during that "time of the month" and when I went thru the "change" they have diminished considerably. I also take 2000 mgs. of Keppra a day along with 200 mgs. of Zoloft for the depression/mood swings that goes along with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. The depression also magnified after brain surgery, so that is something to take into consideration for anyone thinking about surgery. I don't know if Prozac is a good med to take with seizure meds, tho. May need to go to a neuropsychiatrist and an epileptologist for answers.
BTW, I also have thyroid problems and had my gallbladder taken out back in the 90's. Hypothyroidism runs in my family and most of us take Synthroid. I've taken it for years now along with seizure meds.
I started having seizures when I was 23 years old, starting like you described and then graduating to full blown TC seizures. I've tried 11 different drugs, had brain surgery, and still have an occasional seizure, so I think for you to forego brain surgery is a wise idea.
My seizures also happened during that "time of the month" and when I went thru the "change" they have diminished considerably. I also take 2000 mgs. of Keppra a day along with 200 mgs. of Zoloft for the depression/mood swings that goes along with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. The depression also magnified after brain surgery, so that is something to take into consideration for anyone thinking about surgery. I don't know if Prozac is a good med to take with seizure meds, tho. May need to go to a neuropsychiatrist and an epileptologist for answers.
BTW, I also have thyroid problems and had my gallbladder taken out back in the 90's. Hypothyroidism runs in my family and most of us take Synthroid. I've taken it for years now along with seizure meds.
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Hi Bboedig, welcome to the forum. :hello:
You might find this interesting: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com...svirus-6b-mesial-temporal-lobe-epilepsy-1124/
You might find this interesting: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com...svirus-6b-mesial-temporal-lobe-epilepsy-1124/