Keppra Vs. Depakote?

[RunningGirl85]

All right, I need some opinions/input here on medicine.

Right now I'm taking just Keppra, 1000 mg, twice a day. I've only been on it a few weeks, and it is my first med. I was on 750 mg twice a day at first, and was a little emotional at first, but didn't seem to be having many issues with side effects; however, I was still having auras, so my neurologist moved me up after a couple of weeks (this was only a few days ago).

Since I was moved up, I've been having issues with a very sore throat, and I've just been feeling kinda icky... of course, I wasn't sure if the sore throat was me being sick, or the medicine having a negative effect on me, so I called the neurologist, she said she didn't think it was the medicine, so she said to get seen at the clinic, and I went in and got seen at the clinic here (military... it's all weird and different). They looked at my throat/ears, didn't see anything, but I had been crying like... half the morning - thank you Keppra - and that did not go unnoticed. So my primary care provider (the military version of your regular doctor) suggested I change over to Depakote, which is supposed to have less side-effects. However, from everything I've been reading, Depakote does NOT have less/better side-effects, and frankly, I'm scared to try it. I did ask if there were OTHER meds I could try besides that, and she said with the type of seizures I have, there are only certain ones that will take care of it (I have secondary generalized, but mostly simple partial... I think in my temporal lobe). I DID think there were others that took care of that, and she's not a neurologist, but at the same time, I don't exactly have a medical background either. I told her I'll give the higher dosage some more time to see if I adjust, and then I'll be going in to see her again next week.

I wanted to see what some of your experiences were... Like I said, I'm scared to try Depakote. Are there any others I should suggest? The Keppra at this dosage seems to be doing a fine job controlling my partials, but some of the other side effects are not so great.

 

[seizurrific]

I was TOTALLY weepy on Keppra at first but I freaking love that drug. I was having TCs at *least* once per week and now I have them about once per month. If you feel like it isn't well enough controlled ask your neuro what he thinks about adding another drug on top (not preferable, obviously! but I take Lamictal on top of Keppra and it works wonders.) of your current doseages.

You'll stop crying soon, your body just has to get used to it. (I cried about EVERYTHING- best 2 things were 1) a gum commercial, and 2) Planet Earth...classic Keppra)

I've heard very bad things about Depakote so I've avoided that thing like the plague.....

 

[seizurrific]

- oh, and I would recommend adjusting epilepsy drugs .only. with your neuro. Primary care docs are good but they don't have specialised emphasis in brain-matters like neuros do!-

 

[RunningGirl85]

Thanks for the input! You kind of confirmed what I was thinking... that hopefully the side effects would go away after some time. From the research I've been doing, it looks like Keppra is one of the better ones... Assuming my body adjusts I was honestly more concerned with the sore throat/feeling really crappy than the crying spells (particularly because I slept like crap last night, and I get weepy with a lack of sleep even when I'm NOT medicated), since I know that can be an allergic reaction, but the doctor seemed more concerned with the fact I was crying for no good reason... I guess for good reason, when a patient shows up with her eyes all red and can't talk without crying, lol.

 

[Nakamova]

The "medication merry-go-round" is exhausting, so it can be tough to decide whether the process is worth it. All the meds can potentially have nasty side effects. But you need to remember that it's different for each person, and you won't know unless you try.

In addition to Depakote and Keppra, Vimpat and Lamictal also work for simple partials. With Lamictal you have to taper on slowly. It's considered better moodwise than Keppra (it's also prescribed off-label for bipolar), and tends to have fewer cognitive side effects. It works fine for me. That said, you might hate it!

 

[Cint]

I take a high dose of Keppra and one of the side effects I have with it is constant nose drip, like an all year allergy. And sore throat is listed in the side effects: www.drugs.com:

Keppra

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Keppra:

Dizziness; drowsiness; irritability; sore throat; tiredness; weakness.

Plus, as you know, it can cause mood swings, whereas Depakote is also used as a mood stabilizer. Depakote can also cause rapid weight gain. I have complex partial along with secondary generalized seizures, I've never taken Depakote.

Now I take 3000 mgs. Keppra along with 200 mgs.Topomax (dopemax) daily. Topomax can cause weight loss and forgetfulness.

And you can check out this site for more info:
http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/seizure_MEDICINES

 

[RunningGirl85]

That's kind of what I thought - that there were others for simple partials as well! I think I may just wait to talk to my neurologist before I switch anything around... I haven't even been on Keppra a month yet, and I was adjusting pretty well to the former dosage. Yesterday my mood was actually great (though the sore throat thing wasn't so great, but I will honestly take it over losing my hair and a lot of weight-gain).

 

[Cint]

It works fine for me. That said, you might hate it!

It didn't work for me.

 

[Krista2882]

Keppra can also decrease the amount of Vitamin D in your body, and Vitamin D is important for your immune system. I've found that I get a lot more colds now that I'm on Keppra. Then I realized why my neuro wanted me to take extra vitamin D. lol

 

[RunningGirl85]

Lol, yeah, I did buy some Vitamin D after hearing that Keppra depletes it! I have a whole drawer full of supplements (that I got okay'ed,l of course)

 

[momof3boys]

Ive been taking Keppra since the age of 18, Im now 31. I can recall having some "emotional times", but didnt find out til November 2010 about taking Vitamin b-12, that will help with the emotional issues keppra can cause. I had alot of headaches while on Keppra, but then got switched to Keppra XR. That took care of the headaches and so far things are going good. I take 3000mgs a day (1500mgs morning, and 1500mgs at night).

 

[bctc]

Also keep in mind it takes your body at least 3 months to get adjusted to the new meds.

 

[Sheripark]

I take Keppra and am still easily annoyed but that is way easier to manage than some of the other side effects. My thoughts on depakote... You are a cute girl and everyone I know blows up on depakote. I'm a very fit person and that it not something I would be able to handle. I even stuck with topomax even though everything I ate or drank tasted like metal. I would give Keppra a chance a while longer. And..I'm in the military too and I would not advice the pc doctor to manage or change your drug plan. Use the neurologist for this. Depakote is one of the old familiar drugs pc's love to use. Probably because it works and it has been around a long time. Keppra is a wonderful drug, although considered new it is relatively easy on our bodies because it is eliminated through the kidneys giving out liver a break. Many docs will even allow it during pregnancy, lamicatal as well. Oh ya and my friend that gained 35lbs fast on depakote also started losing her hair. Be well and good luck.

P.s Do you have a waiver for the military? I'm AF and going through the waiver process now, STRESSFULL! what is your status?

Sheri

 

[RunningGirl85]

Thanks for the compliment! And the advice! I did read about the weight-gain, which is one of the big reasons I didn't want to take Depakote... I'm young and I'm not married - I'd like to remain attractive if possible. Plus, all the running I do... I would go crazy if I gained a bunch of weight while continuing to be active. Plus diabetes runs in my family BIG TIME (almost all of my overweight relatives have it), so that would be one more health issue to deal with that I want to avoid if possible.

However, today I've actually been the happiest I've been since I started on these meds. Woohoo! Though I felt pretty good the day BEFORE yesterday too... I think I just need to adjust.

As for the waiver, they haven't started on any of that with me yet! Right now I haven't heard anything about needing one if it's under control, and mine isn't bad... Two in the past two years without ANY medicine seems pretty manageable to me. My first one was at college (military school), but since nothing showed up on any tests, and it was my first one, I don't think they had to do any type of waiver for it. It may be different for me to stay in since this was my second one and my EEG came back abnormal. Like my neurologist said "military service and epilepsy aren't really compatible, but if we can keep yours under control, you may be able to stay in the service." Who knows...