Going to Neuro Tommorrow

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J

Jackson

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I have been having seizures again. This is going to to change my life. Just started a new job and I have to do alot of driving so that might be a problem. My employer knows I have epilepsy.i have not told them of a recent one though.

The ones I have now seems that I am standing up and walking a few meters and then just dropping down. These are very new to me. So I do not know what the Neuro is going to say. I am a lot worried but I can not let this get to me. I just have to deal with it as it happens.

Thank you very much for this forum. I have not really spoken to people about this before to fellow epileptics. I look forward to hearing from someone.

J
 
I haven't had drop seizures though I know a few people here have.

Good luck at your appointment tomorrow. Let us know how it turns out.
 
Neurologist Trip

I just came back from the Dr.s and he feels that the dilantin that I am on is not doing the trick. After I told him the type of seizure I had he thinks it is Complex Partial seizure. So with bit of info he feels that I need a change of medication.

The new drug that he has prescribed is called Levetiracetam or called Keppra. He said there was another type he wanted to give me but the side effects did not sound that great. So my question, is anybody taking this prescription and how are feeling? I start taking mine tomorrow and after I saw the side effects I am not looking forward to it but I have to. Not driving for 6 months really sucks.

Once again looking forward to hearing from anyone on this subject. I am a little worried.I know I must sound like a woos.
 
No, you

don't sound like a wuss. :) You sound like a normal, concerned E patient. It's all good. Really.

Keppra, in some people, not all, will have a side effect called "Kepprage"--big mood swings. I assume that is the one that you're talking about? That can be easily dealt with by taking some vitamin B6 on a daily basis. Ask your neuro, but I believe it's 100 mg.

I've taken it, but had an allergic reaction (OK, TWO) to it, so I can't talk about it without being, um, biased. For many people, it's a great drug, no or little side effects, and they go on about their day with no problems at all.

Keep in mind though, that we are all different, and that will not always happen for each and every person. I may be allergic to Keppra and say.........Zonegran (picking out of hat--can't remember the other one I AM allergic to) Fred and Ethel may be able to use both of those perfectly, but Fred's allergic to Depakote, Ethel isn't. Ethel can use phenobarbital, but Fred can't. See what I mean? We're all totally different.

Good luck, and take care! Don't worry. We'll be here to listen, any time ya want!

Meetz
:rock:
 
Thanks

I really appreciate what you said. I guess I never really known to many people with this condition so I really appreciate the opportunity to talk to people who have gone through this before

I will keep you informed if I get any of Kepprages (I hope I don't). Once again thanks alot.

J
 
I can understand your frustration on the driving side of things! I too have just started having seizures again and have just been given that 6 months of watching the days roll by... It will go by fast though, and if it doesn't....everybody in here is pretty good about letting you blow off steam well you wait :p Hope everything goes okay!!
 
My son has been on keppra for a while, he took it together with valporate and clobazam. I've heard & read a lot about the kepprage as a side effect, happening to adults as well as kids. But for my boy it was the one drug out of 10 that didn't give any side effects at all (as far as I can judge because he can't tell.) It didn't help to reduce his seizures either (but no drug did.) I do know some kids that got seizure free on Keppra.
 
I know someone who is doing really well on Keppra. No side effects, good seizure control. It has the advantage that you can get to a therapeutic dose fairly quickly compared to other AEDs.

Don't know if this is the case for you, but -- If your seizures happen right after you stand or sit up, you should make sure that you're not dehydrated (that can be a contributing factor). Another thing that can help is "pumping" your legs by bending/swinging them a few times before you stand up. That helps get your blood circulating.
 
Hi, welcome to our group
I have been on Keppra a little over a year. I had to have it adjusted a few times to get it to the right level. When neuro first put me on Keppra and I researched it, it seems to be the seizure med with least side effects and I was happy to hear that.
I have had problems with being sleepy when I first started and when it was adjusted. I started 500 mg two times a day, now I am on 1000mg two times a day. I have both simple (auras) and complex partials. The Keppra is really doing a good job. It is not uncommon to have breakthru seizures until they get your meds at the proper level for you. I know my breakthru seizures were much milder than the ones I had before being on seizure meds. Be sure to contact your neuro if you have even one seizure on the Keppra so it can be adjusted.
Good luck, keep us posted on your status
 
I really appreciate all the input you are giving me. One thing that I have done is something like this. Thank you very much for the input regarding Keppra. So far I seem to be feeling pretty good. I had a really good sleep last night. I know the driving thing sucks. I have to get up at 0400 to get a ride to work with the wife.Some quality time.
Keep you guys up to date and once again thank you.

J.
 
Well this is my third week on Keppra and I am starting to feel something. I have started to take 3 pills a day at 250 mg and started to notice that I am very tired. I just woke up from a 3 hour sleep and still tired.

I hope this passes. Is this common for Keppra users?I know there is alot of side effects and was hoping to bypass them.Is there anything one could do to reduce the sleepiness?
 
Yes, I had that problem too. It seems better for me after a few weeks. Some people on her recommended taking more B ....I think it was B6. That helped but when I told my neuro he told me that he did not want me to take any more than a multivitamin that too much B6 could do permanent neurological damage.
I would ride out the week with caffeine. But on the weekends, I just gave in to napping until the effect wore off. It does get better.
Are you seizures doing better with the meds?
 
I have complex partial seizures and do take Keppra and Tegretol XR. Keppra made me feel sleepy for the first week, but then after that I feel fine with it. I am taking the highest dose of that particular medication along with Tegretol XR and so far so good. But recently I have been having drop attacks which normally would only happen if meds were missed. Going to doctor tomorrow to have a chat about this then will see neurologist in Nov, if not sooner.

I hope things get better for you soon. Remember to get plenty of sleep, try to eat well and enough, and remember meds on time the best possible..

Take care,
Crystal
 
You could talk with your neuro about switching you to Keppra XR. It allows you to take it only once a day. I really liked taking it only at night, but I had problems with losing hair on it and went back to Keppra
 
I am also taking 300mg dilantin in evening and 200mg in the morning. My neuro wants me to start to remove me of the dilantin. How long does it take to get of dilantin and do I have to take another drug after the Dilantin?

I am feeling a bit better today and have stopped taking the B6. So I will see how this will feel. Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. I have never talked to other people with epilepsy so this is very helpful.Chrystall, what is your highest dosage?

Thanks

J.
 
Hi Jackson, belated welcome to the forum. :hello:

Jackson said:
The ones I have now seems that I am standing up and walking a few meters and then just dropping down. These are very new to me.
Click to expand...

Has the Keppra stopped these events from happening?
 
I can only say that there has not been any more incidents. This is only my third week of the keppra and so far so good. My neuro wants to keep me on 1500 mg a day for now and to see how I feel.I hope this is the drug that will help.I have to be confident in that.
 
Keppra has been a good drug for me, doing a good job of keeping seizures at bay. Best of luck, glad it is getting better
 
Hey Jackson, I have been on Keppra before and I believe I stayed on it for a couple of years. I think it worked pretty good during that time but then I had to switch to something else. I have been on the Dilatian before, actually it was the very first medicine I took for seizures and I stayed on it for over 10 years. The only bad thing about Dilatian its bad on your teeth. I was starting to see some of that and changed meds before it got any worse. Hope everything gets better for you.
 
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