I was diagnosed on Tuesday and started Keppra on Wednesday after my big seizure (unconscious 5+ mins) and abnormal EEG. Is it normal to be completely exhausted? I'm hoping this is just my body recovering from the seizure and getting used to the meds. I did a load of laundry today and needed a 2 hour nap to recover. This isn't really possible because I have 3 young kids. Also, is it normal to feel dumb after a big seizure? I feel like my brain is slower and just not as sharp as it was before the seizure. I haven't felt the same since that seizure and I'm feeling depressed that this might be my new "normal". I could probably sleep all day long if it were possible. I don't want life to pass me by, I was so active before all of this. Can anyone share their experience with starting meds and recovering from a biggie?
Newly diagnosed and EXHAUSTED!
- Thread starter Jilian
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BrandiBrat
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Hi Jilian, what type of seizure are you recovering from? I'm assuming if you were unconscious for 5 minutes it was a Tonic Clonic? It is natural for your body to take time to recover from both the seizures that you experienced as well as the Keppra.
Keppra was my first med, it was administered to me in the hospital when I was first diagnosed. Not only did it not control my seizures, it debilitated me as well. I am a single parent that has to work to support my daughter. I couldn't get up in the morning while on it so I finally threw a fit after my 3rd trip to the ER and got on something more tolerable.
It works fine for many, many people....and truly is a wonder drug. It just wasn't for me. Listen to your body and rest when you need it. If you have help and support at home (a partner, husband, caregiver, etc) utilize that support until your body adjusts to the meds and you stabilize.
I sure hope you feel better soon!!
Keppra was my first med, it was administered to me in the hospital when I was first diagnosed. Not only did it not control my seizures, it debilitated me as well. I am a single parent that has to work to support my daughter. I couldn't get up in the morning while on it so I finally threw a fit after my 3rd trip to the ER and got on something more tolerable.
It works fine for many, many people....and truly is a wonder drug. It just wasn't for me. Listen to your body and rest when you need it. If you have help and support at home (a partner, husband, caregiver, etc) utilize that support until your body adjusts to the meds and you stabilize.
I sure hope you feel better soon!!
My neurologist never named the seizure, in fact I'm looking for a new neuro because he let his nurse DX my EEG and he couldn't be bothered to talk me through my new diagnosis. For the seizure I was unconscious for 5-8 mins, no convulsing and my H said I wasn't breathing. I made a few gasping/snoring sounds at the end then jolted up and tried to run. I don't remember it, while it was happening I had a dream that I died.
Since then I'm pretty sure I had a seizure in my sleep (24 hrs after starting keppra) because I jolted awake and it took me a few minutes to recognize where I was. My left arm still tremors from time to time and I felt on the verge of a seizure this morning before taking the keppra.
I'm hoping to get into another neuro Monday or tues for a second opinion and to talk about how the keppra is working out. My neuro hasn't even checked in with me or scheduled a follow up. Is that typical? I feel like he's acting like its no big deal, but its pretty scary for me!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Since then I'm pretty sure I had a seizure in my sleep (24 hrs after starting keppra) because I jolted awake and it took me a few minutes to recognize where I was. My left arm still tremors from time to time and I felt on the verge of a seizure this morning before taking the keppra.
I'm hoping to get into another neuro Monday or tues for a second opinion and to talk about how the keppra is working out. My neuro hasn't even checked in with me or scheduled a follow up. Is that typical? I feel like he's acting like its no big deal, but its pretty scary for me!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
BrandiBrat
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I'm angry for you!! Knowledge is power and your EEG has valuable information that will allow you to gain insight into your Epilepsy. You mentioned in your Intro that it came back abnormal so it should have offered information on the location of the brain in which the seizure occurred (during the test), the type of seizure, and that should have been relayed to you by your Dr. not his nurse.
That is definitely not typical. He should be caring and compassionate...not treating you like that. I would do exactly what you are doing. Finding a second Dr.
That is definitely not typical. He should be caring and compassionate...not treating you like that. I would do exactly what you are doing. Finding a second Dr.
Well today was way worse, I couldn't get out of bed and I was crying so much (I'm not the crying type) so I went to the ER. They contacted my neuro and switched me to trileptal. Fingers crossed that this one works better. That was really discouraging.
I've read about low sodium being an issue with trileptal so I'm drinking Gatorade with it. It has been so, so helpful to read the positive stories on this forum during this time. It's nice to know that one day my life may feel semi-normal again. Right now it's so scary and chaotic.
I've read about low sodium being an issue with trileptal so I'm drinking Gatorade with it. It has been so, so helpful to read the positive stories on this forum during this time. It's nice to know that one day my life may feel semi-normal again. Right now it's so scary and chaotic.
BrandiBrat
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Hi Jilian, I'm soooo sorry to here about your poopy day! :hugs:
Here's to better days with the new med! Keppra is a hard one for many people and it takes a toll on the emotions. It's nick-name is Kepprage because it sometimes makes us really mad. I guess in your case it made you cry
Good job on the Gatoraid and doing your research! I take tons of vitamins and minerals everyday, I just find it helps me to feel good.
I'm praying for you, my dear friend! I hope that by tomorrow you are feeling a bit better and certainly by Tues.
Here's to better days with the new med! Keppra is a hard one for many people and it takes a toll on the emotions. It's nick-name is Kepprage because it sometimes makes us really mad. I guess in your case it made you cry
Good job on the Gatoraid and doing your research! I take tons of vitamins and minerals everyday, I just find it helps me to feel good.
I'm praying for you, my dear friend! I hope that by tomorrow you are feeling a bit better and certainly by Tues.
Jilian, I'm sorry you're having such a hard time.
Your tonic clonic seizure will have been a tremendous shock on your body and mind. On top of that, you are dealing with a new diagnosis. You really should take it easy--ask your family to help out with the house work and take a good rest. Spoil yourself. I usually sleep flat out for a couple of days after a tonic clonic, and if I don't it just takes longer to get better. My old neurologist used to get very angry with me if I didn't rest after a seizure. Remember that having a tonic clonic like that is an incredible amount of hard work on your muscles--it's like running a marathon. It seems as though you are putting way too much pressure on yourself. You need the rest, especially if your seizure was a long one.
I've battled with the sodium problem before. It is a good idea to drink sports drinks with rehydrating powder in them and to stay away from too much water. Your drinking fluids should not exceed 2 litres a day unless you've been really energetic or the weather is very hot. Just make sure your sports drink doesn't have any stimulants in it--ma huang, ginseng and caffeine are all bad for epilepsy. If you begin to feel incredibly thirsty no matter how much you drink, go for a sodium test. Also keep tabs on your doctors that they do sodium tests regularly. Mine didn't and the hyponatremia snuck up on me so stealthily that I barely noticed, and I ended up being extremely ill for 6 months before they found out accidentally what was wrong.
Your tonic clonic seizure will have been a tremendous shock on your body and mind. On top of that, you are dealing with a new diagnosis. You really should take it easy--ask your family to help out with the house work and take a good rest. Spoil yourself. I usually sleep flat out for a couple of days after a tonic clonic, and if I don't it just takes longer to get better. My old neurologist used to get very angry with me if I didn't rest after a seizure. Remember that having a tonic clonic like that is an incredible amount of hard work on your muscles--it's like running a marathon. It seems as though you are putting way too much pressure on yourself. You need the rest, especially if your seizure was a long one.
I've battled with the sodium problem before. It is a good idea to drink sports drinks with rehydrating powder in them and to stay away from too much water. Your drinking fluids should not exceed 2 litres a day unless you've been really energetic or the weather is very hot. Just make sure your sports drink doesn't have any stimulants in it--ma huang, ginseng and caffeine are all bad for epilepsy. If you begin to feel incredibly thirsty no matter how much you drink, go for a sodium test. Also keep tabs on your doctors that they do sodium tests regularly. Mine didn't and the hyponatremia snuck up on me so stealthily that I barely noticed, and I ended up being extremely ill for 6 months before they found out accidentally what was wrong.
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