Keppra Qs about rage, weightloss & hyperactivity

[Foxy]

Hi, nice to meet you all,

I have been on Tegretol (600mg per day) for over 2year now and just recently my neurologist has convinced me to move over to Keppra (100mg per day). There are a few reasons for this including, memory loss, slow information processing, sluggish and tiredness, constipation (from BM every day to every 3-4days), and weight gain (approx 10 kilos).

I started Keppra 3 days ago (dropped my tegretol to 400mg phasing it out to zero within the next 2weeks). So far I have had the normal epi drug side effects- heart racing, extreme nausea, somach aches, headaches and sleepiness but I have also had hyperactivity (felt like I ate an energizer bunny).

Some Q’s
I never had the hyperactivity on tegretol, is this normal with keppra? Will this go away?

I hear a lot about rage on Keppra, is rage a problem for everyone. If I get rage what are the signs and when will it happen (i.e straight away, a month in etc). I already have a bit of a bad temper so am a bit worried. However I have been nothing but happy so far.

What does vitamin B6 do?

I have lost 1.5kgs already in 3 days (not that I mind) but should I be concerned. Will this weight loss level off. What is the most you have lost on Keppra in what time frame?

How do you generally feel about Keppra is it better or worse than tegretol?

Thanks

 

[rhiz]

I've been on Keppra for over 2 years and on my initial switchover from Lamictal I never had any of the problems you've listed, quite the opposite infact!

My main concern with the drug is the severe weight GAIN after around a period of 6 months, and extreme tiredness. I've also had really bad problems concentrating (if I try and do math problems I start having myoclonic seizures now because my brain cannot handle it) and in general found it a pretty rough drug, but never nausea or hyperactivity!

The "Kepprage" is fairly normal, I tried taking B6 for a while myself but found absolutely no change at all so stopped taking it as having too much in your system does more harm than good.

I can't compare it to Tegretol but the side effects seem rather similar from personal experience

The nausea and such would strike me as worrying but that is mainly because I never had any of those symptoms when I was moving drugs

Hope this helps!

 

[Nakamova]

AED side effects can even out once the body adjusts, so the rule of thumb is to give it time if you can. Watch out for kepprage, but also for depression. Have friends and family let you know if they see any changes in your personality. You might want to keep a journal to track any changes, and if side effects become intolerable let your neuro know ASAP.

Keppra depletes B6, which plays a role in the synthesis of serotonin. Low serotonin = insomnia, irritability and depression. So for some, taking B6 helps restore the balance. It's suggested that you don't take B6 in the evening, since it can affect sleep for some. And in general, it's a good idea to check with your doc before adding any supplements.

 

[Cint]

Hi Foxy,

I've been on Keppra for 10 years now. I also tried Tegretol years ago and Trileptal, which is related, and they caused changes in my white blood count. I also tried Lamictal and it didn't do anything for my seizures, although it did enhance my moods as it is used as a mood stabilizer also.

Keppra works better for me than Tegretol. The depression is no worse, my memory was and still is bad. I don't consider xtreme nausea and heart racing as "normal" side effects. If this doesn't go away in a day or two, call the dr. And I didn't experience hyperactivity-just the opposite-no energy-no activity.

The only drug that caused me to lose weight was Topamax when I was on 400 mgs+ a day.

 

[petero]

How do you generally feel about Keppra is it better or worse than tegretol?
Thanks

heya - I've never been on Tegretol, I've been on phenytoin since being diagnosed
but I was put on Keppra about a year ago and stopped taking it when I had a massive seizure episode that as I recall would probably have been a cluster seizure episode- severe pain- and the hospital (yea I went to the ER) told me I had a psychotic seizure- whatever that entailed
the hospital ended up giving me morphine for the pain I was going through
and then I was weaned off of the Keppra over a few days
it was the worst experience of my life
it's still traumatic for me, PTSD or something, and that was about 9 months ago

but I've heard it works for some people

I would be very alert to any side effects
one morning I just woke up in such severe pain I couldn't stand straight from the waist up
the following 8 hours or so were on/off consciousness, blur, mindblowing and searing pain, and then stumbling out of the ER

I continue physical treatment at that hospital, I keep my phenytoin Rx there, have my levels checked there, and am trying to hook up with an epileptologist/psychiatrist through there (it's a student hospital so it's good for my budget) but there's no way in hell I'm letting them tinker around with my Rxs anymore - nor do I care to go to that ER ever again

if I knew how/what/whom I'd file a lawsuit for trauma and PTSD - but I'm still not even sure what happened and have hit dead ends in trying to figure it out

but anyway

as far as I'm concerned: Keppra= evil incarnate

 

[jyearta]

I was put on Keppa by a Dr. the head of Neur. at the teaching hospital near me.
AGAIN I thought GOOD I am going to get the care I so badly want.

She put on Keppa, it was the worse drug EVER.

When my husband would call her office, I couldn't - her assit. would ask if I had a seizure, and I hadn't.
her assist reply was well she hasn't had a seizure.

My husband would tell them ALL the side effects I was going through.
Her office would say they HADN'T HEARD OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS
Yet if you pick up a magazine there was a FULL page of the side effects.

It might work good for some people, and I hope it does.

I took myself off the stuff and found another Dr.

 

[petero]

from a lot of what I've read (and considering the drug has a colloquialism "kepprage" attributed to it) it sure seems like the odds of the drug either moderately helping, or dragging you through the pits of hell - doesn't seem like a safe bet

 

[bazpa]

Keppra seems to work for a lot of people, but I have never been so depressed in my life. I broke out in hives so bad, after the first 2 weeks, and it was decided that I would take benedryl every 6 hours and continue in hopes that my body would adapt. I cannot tell you how miserable I became. Benedryl makes you tired along with the Keppra, if I missed a does by a half an hour my skin would crawl, then the depression set in about 6 weeks later. I could hardly get out of the chair. We were told by my Neuro to watch for this, but when my husband called, his nurse said he should call my primary care dr, as there was nothing they could do. My primary Dr. was at loss, as she does not treat seizures. Many calls back and forth, and a trip to my primary care dr, who called my Neuro., and was told that putting me on antidepressant would not help, I needed to be weaned of this, be put on something else, and he would call me in a couple of hours. I did not get that call. 2 days later, I called my primary again and told her. She flipped her biscuits, and I did finally get this taken care of. The whole thing took 2 weeks. Thank God that I am just spiritual enough that I would not take my own life, but I was just hoping I would not wake up in the morning. I like my Neuro, but his staff and nurse are just horrible. I hope you have better luck, and don't let things get too far out of hand, as I did. What really worries me is that some people might have not made it waiting for these people to do something.

 

[Blue Cat]

Keppra was added to my Lamictal regime. I can't tell any difference though I told my husband that if I'm in a rage I have an excuse. I would love to say there was weight loss, but at least I'm not having any weight gain. Same as always.

 

[momof3boys]

Ive been on Keppra for over 12 years now. I was around the age of 18 when I was put on Keppra along with Carbatrol. Just this March, I went in for my first VEEG and my dr took me off the Carbatrol and Ive been on the Keppra since. One thing I did notice with taking Keppra was I had terriable headaches! Back in November of 2010, My dr switched me over to Keppra XR. It took away all of my headaches, and Ive been doing great since! I also take a B Complex Vitamin in the mornings with my Keppra XR. It helps me out alot.

 

[Cint]

from a lot of what I've read (and considering the drug has a colloquialism "kepprage" attributed to it) it sure seems like the odds of the drug either moderately helping, or dragging you through the pits of hell - doesn't seem like a safe bet

Yes, Keppra is well known for "Kepprage". And Topamax is well known as "Dopamax". When I started Keppra, I was already taking an anti-depressant, so that is why I didn't notice the "Kepprage". Don't let the docs try to talk you into something. Ask for all side effects before starting a new medication. But they will probably tell you each drug effects everyone differently. Listen to your own body and if it is telling you something isn't right, then tell the doc.

 

[bazpa]

I wish my doctor would have told me more about the side effects, besides the depression. I was already on anti depressants, but they did not help, and I was not at all prepared for the memory issue, or problems with concentration. I could not figure out what was wrong. Thank God for this sight-if not for all of you, I would have really thought I was going nuts! I really dis-like medical people at this point in my life-no trust.

 

[Foxy]

Thanks for all your messages

Hey guys,
Sorry not to respond sooner. Thanks for all your messages. Some of them are pretty hairy, wow! I have been on Keppra for nine days now. Yesterday I dropped my Tegretol down by 200g again (one more drop and I will be 0).

So it has been interesting to say the least. My heart has stopped racing now (after about 2 days) and even though I lost 2kgs in about 5days I haven't lost any more since so all seems good there too.

My husband pointed out that I my heart was racing when I first got put on tegretol too. Some of my short term symptoms have been much the same as tegretol i.e. sleepiness, sooky, yuk tummy and blurred vision/sensitivity to sunlight. But I felt much more sluggish on tegretol. In fact it took a full year before I could run/exercise properly again.

I have been on an emotional rollercoaster though now with Keppra. Haha I have a bit of a pattern now. Wake up cranky. 6.30 tablet. 9.00 hungover feeling 11.00 hyper and laughing (which I don't feel in control of) 2.00 sleepy (though I am back at work now so I just have to push through) 3.00 cranky or upset (also seems like no control). Then this happens all again at night.

Yesterday at work someone was banging their desk. After about a minute I yelled. Argh who is doing that. Eveyone just looked at me. The have also noticed my crazy hyper ranting. Although I had to write a argument against a new process on Monday and my ranting came in handy (got to laugh or will cry).

Neways, I am hoping that it is just a settling in period but only time will tell I guess. As long as I am starting to feel better not worse I have decided to stick with it for a bit. My husband has noticed my mental state which he is a bit worried about but he also says I seem more motivated and less dozy (I am sure it is the drop of tegretol that is doing this as I always felt very sluggish and duller on the stuff)

I do have one concern though, since droping my tegretol down yesterday I have been feeling a bit dizzy/dazed. My husband said he was a bit worried about me last night because I was drifting in and out. I will have to monitor especially because I felt a very that strange fuzzy feeling again this morning.

Oh well go to go to work now. Running late already
Thanks for all the posts and I will keep you all posted. For those new to Keppra hopefully this very very long post will be informative to you .

 

[Nakamova]

The rapid weight loss may be contributing to your dizziness. I hope you are able to get adequate nutrition throughout the day...

 

[momof3boys]

I was on Carbatrol and during my VEEG, I was taken abruptly off the Carbatrol and Keppra XR. I went for 4 days with no medications, on my last day they put me back on Keppra XR, and never did go back to the Carbatrol since my dr felt as though i didnt need it. I lost at least 5lbs in the first four days not taking it. My wedding ring about feel off as I was showering before being released from the hospital. Since March, Ive gone with no Carbatrol and Ive lost about 20lbs since then.