Questions: My son, 18, as been on Keppra for three years. He started out with 500 mg. dose and increased to 3000 mg. over the course of having more seizures. Regardless of dosage, he still had a a seizure every 4 months. We had his first 3 day EEG done. Five neuros told us this test was unnecessary, so I scheduled it on my own for him. The test showed he is having spikes at all times and the Keppra is not working for him. He is being switched to Depakote. In the hospital they cut his Keppra from 3000 mg to 2000 mg, and now over the course of 3 months, he will be weaned off of Keppra by 250 mg. every two weeks. He says he feels strange, especially around ten pm, before his last dose of meds. Is this just the weaning off process? He never has had any symptoms/side effects of being on Keppra, but it seems like I am seeing them with his being on Depakote or just losing the Keppra? Anyone experience anything similar?
Med. Changes
- Thread starter DinaHB
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epileric
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You're very welcome.
If I remember properly it got a bit worse and for longer periods towards the end of ramping down. I was only on it for 6 months so I can only imagine what your son is going through. Also, if your son is getting stressed out, remind him that anxiety is a side-effect of the Keppra. Knowing that helped me a lot.
I'd also suggest asking your pharmacist if s/he has a list of side-effects to watch for when coming off of Keppra. Knowing what to expect can take make things a lot easier.
If I remember properly it got a bit worse and for longer periods towards the end of ramping down. I was only on it for 6 months so I can only imagine what your son is going through. Also, if your son is getting stressed out, remind him that anxiety is a side-effect of the Keppra. Knowing that helped me a lot.
I'd also suggest asking your pharmacist if s/he has a list of side-effects to watch for when coming off of Keppra. Knowing what to expect can take make things a lot easier.
Thank you. He was never moody or had rage when he was on it, but he does seems to be snappy right now. I am sure that is a combination of med. change, being a college kid having to endure all of this, not being able to drive, and on and on. He really is tired of my talking about it all the time, which I understand, but I am just trying to help him figure some things out. I know he just wants it to be better, but it will take time.
I've just finished a gradual transition off of Depakote and the main side effect for me has been feeling like I need to sleep for 10 hours a day.
Weaning off a drug makes extra "work" for your body just as ramping up a drug does.
I know it's easier said than done with a college kid but.....the only thing I can think of that would help during the transition is to make sure he gets enough sleep. It also might be helpful to make sure to drink enough non-sugary/caffeinated/alcoholic liquids to flush out the leftovers.
Weaning off a drug makes extra "work" for your body just as ramping up a drug does.
I know it's easier said than done with a college kid but.....the only thing I can think of that would help during the transition is to make sure he gets enough sleep. It also might be helpful to make sure to drink enough non-sugary/caffeinated/alcoholic liquids to flush out the leftovers.
Thank you. I have to remind him to hydrate. He has allows himself to get dehydrated to the point that he he "feels weird," and we have had to learn how to separate the dehydration from neurological. I make sure he is stocked up on bottled water and Gatorade. Such a simple thing to do, yet he forgets. I try not to judge as I lived off of Coca Cola when I was 18.