Hi Everyone,
My question is, should they decide to place me on medication is there anything I should question? It would seem Keppera is prescribe quite often but I've read horror stories online. Mood swings, anger, depression etc.
Is it essentially trial and error or is there a medication most members here feel more comfortable using? Also, I'll mostly likely choose generic if it's an option, anything I should be concerned about? (fillers)
Thanks as always.
Hi again! I take generic keppra and haven't had problems with it. My CA neuro upped my keppra and wouldn't listen to my concerns so I politely asked for a referral to the epilepsy center at UCSD. I loved my epileptologist there and all of their staff were amazing! My epileptologist and I played around with the dosage and times taken during the day until I got to a comfortable place. 500mg when I get up, 500mg mid day and 750mg at night. I also found I do better if I take it pre-meal or with a light snack. In the beginning I was moody and irritable but I was also dealing medical testing, living in CA, (I'm an east coast girl) and trying to graduate from college while dealing with all of that sz activity. So it probably wasn't all because of the Keppra. My body has adjusted now and my husband says I'm much more pleasant!
But yes, it is trial and error as everyone is very different when it comes to how they react to the meds. And a heads up, the process can be terribly frustrating.
I used to work fulltime, ran a business on the side and was going to college. I lived on coffee and rarely slept. I don't drink soda or alcohol, don't eat fast food or much meat and prefer fruits, veg, rice.
So the biggest changes for me involved slowing down, sleeping more, reducing stress, no more 16 hr computer work load schedules, no more coffee!! etc, etc. I have to keep the house at around 67 degrees as heat is a factor - this recent heat wave about killed me with seizures and migraines. (One of the main reasons I took a break from cwe the past week or so).
I also learned to live on a schedule suited for my medical needs. For example, we're taught to get up in the morning, eat at set times, work certain hrs, sleep at certain times. I have an autoimmune disease, they ruled out premature ovarian failure last week but will be testing for hypothyroid if I have a good week next week and can get to the drs office. But outside of that no heart, blood pressure, diabetic problems. Butttt as I tend to put off eating my blood sugar tends to get low and i seize. So I have to make sure I keep quick and easy to grab snacks handy. Fruits, granola, bagels, crackers, hard boiled eggs! I hate cooking for one! I still find it hard to sleep for 8 hrs straight so I listen to my body and take a nap or I sleep for two short sessions instead of one long one.
My point, it does seem overwhelming at first. There's a ton of information to sort thru and process. And on top of it epilepsy is different for everyone so you have to play around with your lifestyle until you find a comfortable place.
I definitely encourage you to utilize the resources and people here, it makes the learning curve so much more tolerable.