More Keppra Questions: Nora

[purseynursey]

Nora was diagnosed 7with years ago and has taken Topamax for most of that time. She hhad 2 Grand Mals this week. Her Dr has decided to change her to Keppra. For now she is taking 100mghas Topamax and 250mgI Keppra twice a day. She seems very agitated mixed with tired mixed with angry. I was wondering if this is normal and if it will ease as she gets used to the new med or when she finally taken of the Topamax? Seems like most people side effects have lessened after the first few weeks? You guys on here are so strong and knowledgable. I truly appreciate your imput. Thanks

 

[LisaBee]

Irritability, mood swings, anger all side effects of Keppra for my daughter. Pharmacist said it should improve by week 4 and it did. Some Drs suggest taking B6 to help with the side effects. Good luck!

 

[AngelwithDentedHalo]

I take 1500 MG of Keppra a day & never noticed any side effects but as was said, maybe with time it'll subside. My doctor built me up to 1500 MG a day, said it had to be gradual cause too much at once could actually cause seizures & same would be to go off them, has to be gradual

 

[purseynursey]

Eeeek! Didnt want to hear that about causing seizures. Im a nervous wreck as is.

 

[purseynursey]

Another Question: Sleep

Ok another Keppra question .... anyone experience difficulty falling asleep? I was wondering if it was the added med or the combination of being on 2 meds?? She seems tired all day but at bedtime she tosses and turns and lays awake for hours

 

[Silat]

I'm on 2000mg of Keppra per day and am an insomniac. I was before I started Keppra, but Keppra has made it worse. A bit of melatonin an hour before bed can help, though it also needs B6 or B12 (can't remember which off the top of my head, sorry...) mixed with it to be absorbed into the body.

Consider adding B vitamins to Keppra for reducing irritability and improving energy. I do it as well, and it's helped for me, though I'd talk to your doctors about it before you make any decisions. Keppra has a tendency to reduce the levels of B vitamins in your body, especially B6, which causes tiredness and irritation.

Mood swings are a side effect. For some it goes away after they've had time to adjust to their dosage, for others it stays. That's something you'll have to gauge yourselves and talk to the doctors about if it becomes a real problem.

 

[AngelwithDentedHalo]

It doesn't necessarily happen & it's mostly if someone suddenly stops taking them all at once, not at all & even then it only increases the risk, doesn't mean it'll happen and doesn't happen by skipping one or two doses. Like if someone is on meds for it three times a day then says I'm not taking this anymore ever again, the increase for seizures goes up, especially if you have frequent ones but if you remain seizure free and doctor gives the okay to go off meds, he'll do it very gradually.

It was at least a month or two before I was up to the full dose my doctor wanted me on. The medicine itself won't cause more seizures, it's the dosage whether too much at once or not enough that increases risk but then any medicine you take if you take too much or not enough for the condition you have will increase your risk.

 

[purseynursey]

Its very hard to judge these things with my Nora because she is very speech delayed. As her Mom Im very good at reading her nonverbal ques but right now Im such a mess after those 2things Grand Mals Im questioning everything. The "irritability" and "mood swings" are my take on her behavior. I do think I will call the Dr ask about a melatonin regime and the B vitamins. She has the majority of her complex partials when shes over tired or over excited so I dont want her dealing with insomnia

 

[AngelwithDentedHalo]

How old is your daughter now? I'm sure the doctor can recommend something if she has irritability and mood swings. I've only had one Grand Mal but believe it was more severe than anyone is telling me especially considering how long I was out. Weird thing is, even though I'd just gotten out of the hospital two days prior, I felt fine, not even tired & was feeling better than I had in awhile in fact & when I was told I had one, it felt impossible cause I felt so good and if it caused the brain bleed if I hit my head, I never had a sore head, headache or anything.

I did feel a bit tired coming out of the seizure but that's about it. And I had no symptoms typical of a brain bleed either which is why my Neurologist was so surprised.

Oh and for sleeplessness, some people swear by chamomile tea. I have never tried it cause I don't like hot tea, just iced

 

[purseynursey]

Nora is 13. She has a condition called Pachygyria. It is where the gyrus in her brain are thicker than normal. She actually made it to age 7 before she had her first seizure. The first was a Grand Mal but sincr then she has been on Topamax. She has had Complex partials every 2place weeks or so for the last 6ozark years while on the Topamax. This week she had 2 more Geand Mals. Im a freaking mess.Cant sleep, cant eat, absolutely sick with worry. I can handle her "small" seizure s fine. The big ones I completely lose my mind. Just so scared for her

 

[AngelwithDentedHalo]

Seizures are scary for sure, hopefully they can find something to help more. You need to keep up your strength though, cause you can't help her if you get sick. Eat, rest as much as possible and drink plenty of water. I had 3 kidney failures, no fun.

Try to keep a diary of when she has them and what she was doing that day just before it happens. It might help to figure out if something she's around is a trigger for it. Plus it'll help the doctor to know how many she's having, even the small one's.

 

[DadofTwins]

Also include what she eats and drinks in the diary. It may help.

 

[purseynursey]

Dr thinks puberty is adding to the "outbreak" and she is growing so much so fast and probably needed a med increase because of weight gain.