Keppra to Lamictal

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daviscy60

daviscy60

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Try to make long story short. On Dilantin for 30+ years. Had issues and in 2013 switched to keppra. Last seizure was during eeg prior to being switched to keppra. On March 3 having another eeg and if nothing shows could possibly be worked off keppra (not so sure this will be the case) but I have been mentally unhappy with Keppra and could possibly switch to Lamictal. My problems with Keppra are I seem to be either depressed or angry and problems sleeping.

My question is had anyone made this switch and if so were you okay with it or did you have other issues.

If I have to stay on some sort of AED I need something that will improve my mood not make it worse. Improve my memory. And not interfer with my sleeping.

Any advice would be more than appreciated.
 
daviscy60

The first thing you need to realise is that all anti epileptic medication affect us all in different way, now in saying that have you ever heard of keppra rage, keppra can affect you mentally but so can most medication, however keppra is know for its sudden bursts of anger (keppra rage), I am sorry to say depression goes hand in hand with epilepsy. I am on Lamictal as others are/have but for me I think its good, mind you it does bring its own problems.
 
Lamictal works fine for me (6 years and counting), no problems with mood or sleep. When I was first transitioning onto it my sleep was affected, but after I was on a steady dose for a few months, that problem went away. Everyone is different of course, but I hope it works well for you.

Here are a few threads from the CWE archives that might be of interest:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/leaving-keppra-starting-lamictal-5196/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/switching-keppra-lamictal-lamotrigine-21974/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/should-i-go-off-keppra-take-lamictal-7846/
 
İ had been on Dilantin like you for many years before being switched to Lamictal about seven or eight years abut six or seven months ago Keppra was added and ramped up after I had a couplə grand mals. Keppra at least with me has made me fatigued and moody. Lamictal.seemed to have less effects but wasn't working as well anymore.
 
Like Fedup has said, for some, mood disorders and E do go hand in hand. I've taken Lamictal for seizures. It didn't do a thing for my seizures, but it did calm my mood some as it is also used as a mood stabilizer. I'm now taking Keppra (a high dose) plus Topomax (also used as a mood stabilizer) and Zoloft.
 
Fedup said:
daviscy60

The first thing you need to realise is that all anti epileptic medication affect us all in different way, now in saying that have you ever heard of keppra rage, keppra can affect you mentally but so can most medication, however keppra is know for its sudden bursts of anger (keppra rage), I am sorry to say depression goes hand in hand with epilepsy. I am on Lamictal as others are/have but for me I think its good, mind you it does bring its own problems.
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Can lamical give you Lamotrigine rage in same way...I know makes hunger during the night get up and just stuff food down in most abnormal way like drug addict then deny it next day even if I I remember doing it
 
Lamictal is considered less likely to have mood-related or cognitive side effects. But everyone reacts differently, and for some folks Lamictal can be problematic, especially for those who are already vulnerable to emotional swings.

It hasn't affected my mood, but it does seem to affect my appetite. In particular I seem to crave salty foods. I don't eat in the middle of the night, but I feel like I often eat because of this craving, rather than because I'm actually hungry.
 
I was on Lamictal at one point. It did not help my seizures, but it made me feel more mellow. I don't have any kind of mood disorder, but I liked how it affected my mood sometimes.
 
Thanks for info regarding mood issues and food related. When I 1st started keppra I had a lifetime Weight Watchers membership I worked hard to get. Then came Keppra.,, at first lost more wt than I ever have but think it was how I felt taking it. Felt like a zombie and wanted to do nothing but cry and sleep. Also then food just wasn't appealing no taste. Now I can't sleep and have such bad anxiety issues I eat out of stress. Now they have lowered my goal wt so I've almost lost my Weight Watchers membership. Maybe after eeg on March 3rd I can get off everything and go back to feeling like a normal person. Hate the stress and anxiety from Keppra
 
Nakamova said:
Lamictal is considered less likely to have mood-related or cognitive side effects. But everyone reacts differently, and for some folks Lamictal can be problematic, especially for those who are already vulnerable to emotional swings.

It hasn't affected my mood, but it does seem to affect my appetite. In particular I seem to crave salty foods. I don't eat in the middle of the night, but I feel like I often eat because of this craving, rather than because I'm actually hungry.
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Yes salty food get cravings.i did read that some e meds can do this.i have been known eat pound of cheese no memory but very server indigestion next day
 
I was on keppra and hated it... switched to lamotrigine and it's been amazing for me... slight weight gain but overall pretty good!
 
Don't have to worry about making the switch. My neuro's office called today with results from EEG on the 3rd. Looks as though nothing showed. I have been seizure free since July 2013. Was given instructions on working off keppra. Should be off of it and all AEDs as of April 4.

Always thought my seizures had to do with my monthly friend. Was told in the 80s by a neuro no. Thought that after I went thru life's change I could get off meds. When things took a turn for the worse in 2013 I was changing and so I really do hope this is it.

Not sure what to expect coming off meds but pretty excited about it.
 
Good luck with weaning off completely! Hope this works out for you and you dont need meds anymore.

I weaned off Dilantin 5 years ago, felt terrible afterwards for 6 mos, but didnt have any 'official' seizures. I made it a year before I had a grand mal, and then I was put on Keppra. Been on it ever since (4 years).

Again, good luck!
 
Nakamova said:
Lamictal is considered less likely to have mood-related or cognitive side effects. But everyone reacts differently, and for some folks Lamictal can be problematic, especially for those who are already vulnerable to emotional swings.

It hasn't affected my mood, but it does seem to affect my appetite. In particular I seem to crave salty foods. I don't eat in the middle of the night, but I feel like I often eat because of this craving, rather than because I'm actually hungry.
Click to expand...

Yes me to salty foods.I have read people often eat during the night I one of them.I like frantic addict stuffing salty food down
 
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