Had another seizure

[notime]

I went to sleep this morning, and I had another seizure while sleeping and my dad heard it. Perhaps it is because of stress or something, I don't know. I was diagnosed with primary generalized epilepsy, and my doctor prescribed a generic version of keppra xr.

I just called my neurologist to tell him that I had one, and he hasn't responded yet. Does this mean my epilepsy will be difficult to control? Right now I am taking two 500mg pills twice daily and have been since the 26th of June.

My father stresses me out, and we usually get into an argument then he brings up things he needs done like he needs to attend a hospital. Brings up other life style issues, I have to battle with him on every single thing and he is the most complex person to get along with.

Does this mean my medication won't control my epilepsy easy? Or can it still be easily controlled with uping the dose or changing it? I don't want to have seizures for the rest of my life, I think I'd rather be dead. Not that I am saying others should do this, but that's the kind of depression I am going through... HELP please any form of advice would help

 

[Sparkles]

Hi notime. I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to you question. Your post concers me, though, how down you are and I just wanted to reach out and at least give some support. Is there a friend or relative other than your dad you can call and talk to? Are you talking to a counselor or therapist? The stress of the seizures is enough to need someone to talk to who can be understanding. I wish I could answer your question, but I just don't know enough about seizures while sleeping or the med your are taking. I know someone will come along who does and in the mean time, lots of hugs coming at you.

 

[nelly]

Hi notime,
I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. Stress can be a trigger.
have you notice any changes in your mood since you been on keppra?
My experience with keppra was horrible- servere depression, uncontroble crying for no reason, no sleep.
When you do speak to your Dr tell him how you feel and what goin on with you.

Hope you feel better.

 

[notime]

No, my relatives, at least most of them are extremely difficult to get along with. Even a few minutes after having a seizure, my father argues with me causing it to be more stressful even though I am not in my right mind.

I don't have any money to see a therapist or counselor and even if I did I have no way of transportation. I am pretty much stuck in my room most of the time. Even when I ask my dad to call a neurologist, it's extremely difficult and I have to argue with him to the point where it's screaming and then he brings up his own medical problems to make me feel sorry for him. As if I should just go without treatment or a chance to change or increase my medicine.

Difficult life at the moment... I even feel suicidal, but I don't care to take anti depressants.
-

I haven't noticed any changes in my mood, and even when I am depressed it's about the same as before I went on the medicine and there hasn't been an increase or anything of suicidal thoughts... It's just difficult at the moment. The only side effects I have with the generic version of keppra xr is being tired most of the time, and sometimes memory issues.

I don't know if this count, but I haven't skipped a dose but sometimes I woke up late. Because I didn't hear my alarm in the morning, or didn't hear it at night but latest only have been a few hours. I don't know if that changes anything though.

This information may also be helpful, I am 22 years old and I am 270lbs. I was diagnosed with primary generalized seizures about june 28th.

 

[notime]

The neurologist called and said that I should increase it to 3 500mg pills twice daily. I asked if missing a dose just for an hour would cause a seizure, and he said no and only if you skip it.

What chance do I have with an increased dose of keppra xr do I have, to work and perhaps stop seizures completely? Please help, I can't continue my live by having seizures like this. I think I'd rather be dead, than to do this for the rest of my life. It's nothing personal, but I can't keep staying in my room for the rest of my life and I cannot practice my life.

I am sorry if I seem angry or something, I just can't accept this it's really difficult...

 

[CQ:)]

Notime,
I'm sorry about the seizure & what you're going through at the moment.

Everyone reacts differently to meds, some people can have good seizure control on just one med where others have to take more then one med.
Keppra is also known as keppra rage as it has a side effect of causing depression, mood swings. I am on Keppra but haven't had any issues with it but there are plenty other members who have had Keppra rage.

If you find you are having more seizures then you need to speak to your neurologist & he/she may want to look at adjusting your meds eg - increasing the med you are on now or adding on a med.

Unfortunately none of us can make our epilepsy go away, all we can do is really do the best to control our seizures whether it be with meds, diet, neurofeedback, surgery options etc.

I know you said you can't afford to see a psychiatrist but is there anyway in the area you live where you can get free support or counselling even if it's just for your depression.

I hope things get better for you

 

[valeriedl]

Medicine can be a very difficult thing to deal with, I know.

The neuro will pick a med that he thinks will work with you. You have to gradually increase the dosage until you get up to where he wants you, this could take a month or more. After you get to where he wants you then you have to stay on that med for at least another month. If the med isn't working then he might put you on another med along with it, then you have to go through the whole deal again. If he doesn't think the med is working at all or if the side effects are too bad then you have to start all over with a different med. I've had to do this several times.

I can't tell you that you're going to have seizures all your life and some people's epilepsy is hard to control. Finding the right meds might stop them or you may not have as many or they won't be as bad as they were from the start.

Sometimes I've taken my meds around an hour early or hour late and haven't had any problems. I try not to do it unless I have to.

Keppra can cause you to be angry, it's nicknamed 'Kepage'. I'm on it and it doesn't take too much to get me going. I've gotten mad at people in grocery stores and other places and started yelling at them. I don't know if the Keppra might make it easier for when you and your dad start to fight to keep things going?

Is there any way to actually talk to your dad and let him know what you're going through? I know that's probably easier said than done. I wish I could help you more on this.

If you feel suicidal then you need to talk to someone. If there is someone in your family or friend that you can talk to get them on the phone or see if they can get you out of the house for a little bit. If you are thinking about killing yourself then call 911 and someone will be there to help you right away.

Good luck and I know the people on here will try to help you out as much as we can.

 

[notime]

Keppra can cause you to be angry, it's nicknamed 'Kepage'. I'm on it and it doesn't take too much to get me going. I've gotten mad at people in grocery stores and other places and started yelling at them. I don't know if the Keppra might make it easier for when you and your dad start to fight to keep things going?

I just started on a generic version of keppra xr a month ago, before that I had even fought with my father. One time, I had a seizure and when I wasn't in my right mind he threatened to kick me out on the streets. He even called the police, and tried to get them to remove me from his house and tried to claim everything even my clothes which were his. Thankfully, they didn't bother as I told them what happens. I wasn't on any form AED before that, it took two years of arguing with my father, and he always came up with excuses why I shouldn't saying just live with it. It's your life style, and a lot of other garbage.

As I said my life is difficult, and sometimes I feel lost to the point where life isn't worth living. I just stay in my room most of the time, and I don't qualify for disability and that would probably take a year or two before I could receive it then a lawyer would get most of it. I cannot afford a lawyer anyway. My neurologist wanted me to wait, and see if medicine is going to control my epilepsy. But, so far I had one seizure and it seem to happen every few months, now it's from two months to one month as if it's getting worse.

I never get out, and nobody to give me a ride. I don't have any friends, and other relatives I never talk to so go figure....

Oh well though. I just hope taking it three pills twice daily will help to stop it.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi notime --

If the mood-related side effects are making things worse for you in terms of stress, ask your neuro about what other meds you might try. I hope the increased Keppra dose works for you -- ideally you should find a dosage that controls the seizures even when you are subject to particular stresses or triggers. But it can sometimes take a few tries to find the right medication or the right dosage, not only one that gives you seizure control, but also one that has minimal side effects.

Keppra is often the first medication tried because you can get up to a working dose very quickly. But there are many other meds out there, and your neuro should be able to help you if the Keppra isn't working for you.

 

[notime]

Nakamova

My neurologist said that the first medicine prescribed had a 70% of working, does it mean mine will be difficult to control? I know they just put me on 3 pills in the morning and 3 at night, but does it mean mine will be difficult to control since I was on 2 pills twice daily? Or did the dose need to be changed to control it? I just want to know what chance I have to stop my seizures from happening.

If that doesn't work, what about the second medicine what chance does it have? Sorry, I am still trying to learn.