So I'm not the only one with...

[Mnm8405]

The amazing intense deja vu...

Hello everyone, my name is Nikki and I'm new here. On August 30th I had a gran-mal seizure while waking from sleep. This past Friday I was seen by a neurologist and diagnosed with mild simple partial seizures. Since I was 11 or 12 I can remember getting insanely intense deja vu followed by nausea and serious headaches. My parents and family doctor thought I was crazy and dismissed it....so it was exciting when the neurologist knew, understood, and identified with my experiences. I have been put on Keppra 1500mg a day and set up for an EEG and MRI. It's difficult explaining this to my family and friends, I feel like Im very alone in it right now. Have simple partial seizures created serious problems for anyone, or are they like mine, easily brushed away and undiagnosed? I would love to have some feedback on Keppra, I'm very nervous to start taking this today, but I will...

Thanks everyone!

 

[jyearta]

Hi mnm8405, I want to welcome you here.

I have E. and my start with the jeja uv, but I don't have the nausea and bad heaaches.
My started as a child, but went undiagnosised until I was 18 years old (had just gotten married) I'm 59 now.

I have read in this forum, that others have had the naus. and headaches. Just keep searching around and I think you will find information that will help you. And you can always ask questions.

I know it's scary to take this medic., however that is the only way for you to find out which one is right for you. We have all been there. So you are talking to people who know the language you are speaking. And you are right it is hard for some people to understand.

Sometimes it's hard to hear what you might have to go through, but look at it this way, YOU will know what is happening.



Just remember you are not alone in this.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Mnm8405, welcome to CWE!

Simple partial seizures have such a wide variety of symptoms, that individual experiences can differ quite significantly. And the frequency can vary from person to person as well. So some folks may be able to brush them off, and others may find them intolerable. It's definitely the case that a grand mal seems much more dramatic, and can be easier to make a diagnosis from. Many people (including some neurologists) are unaware that the majority of seizure disorders do not feature tonic-clonics (grand mals).

Keppra works well for some people, not at all for others, and some folks are in the middle. Unfortunately that's the story with all the AEDs -- responses are unpredictable and highly individualized. Keppra can sometimes cause mood swings and anger ("Kepprage"). If that happens with you, ask your doc about taking a B6 vitamin supplement to help. As with any side effects, if they become intolerable, let your neuro know right away.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[RobinN]

You might consider reading up and consider how nutrition can play a role in brain health.
My daughter has gained seizure control from working with this alternative therapy.

 

[Mnm8405]

Thank you all for replying! I took the Keppra starting last night.... and had the most amazing sleep I've had in a very long time, except thats all I could do.. is sleep. My neurologist warned me that it would be like taking a sleeping pill, but the effects should calm down within a month, so I'm not so nervous about it anymore. I am incredibly interested in learning how my eating habits could affect my seizure activity, so I will look into that! And I just have to mention how impressive this forum is and how helpful all of you wonderful people are.

 

[cp611]

Welcome to the World of Epilepsy! Your part of the club now.

I think that you probably have simple partial seizure with secondary generalization. After suffering a grand-mal seizure, I was diagnosed with complex partial seizures with secondary generalization. The following describes these types:

* Simple Partial—A seizure that does not alter consciousness. May produce abnormal sensations, such as an unpleasant smell, or a motor movement, such as jerking of the arm
* Complex Partial—Seizure that alters consciousness causing confusion
* Complex Partial With Secondary Generalization—Seizure that starts as complex partial but becomes a generalized seizure affecting both sides of the brain

It could also be you suffered a grand-mal seizure but mostly have simple partials.

As for Keppra...my opinion is blah although some people like it. It made me get really emotional to the point I could not function and had to lay down at work because I was crying for no reason... (tough to sell things when you are crying in front of customers). So I quickly got off of it. Ask other people though...they should be able to tell you more about it.

 

[kjcolmo]

Mnm8405,

You are not alone in this.
Yes, it is hard to explain to other people what a siezure is. In fact, its hard to explain to someone when we feel an episode start.
Hang in there!

 

[Wally]

Keppra seems to be different for everyone. It does wear you out. I have been on it for over 4 years now. I find that if I stay caught up on my sleep, stay well hydrated, keep stress under control, take supplemental vitamins, and eat well, I have minimal side effects. If I let things get out of balance, life becomes unpredictable.........

 

[kjcolmo]

Supplements,

If i may ask, what type of supplements do you take?

I have heard of so many
Kelly

 

[Mnm8405]

Thanks everyone! I'm also interested in the supplements, and I've heard so much about diet changes that seem to help. Has anyone experienced weight gain on Keppra? I'm kickin it into overdrive at the gym soon lol, I def. dont want to gain weight!

 

[Notsure]

Hello MnM8405,

I too recently joing this forum and have found it to be very useful.

My experiences with Keppra are varied:

It gave me extreme social/anger/anxiety problems, but controlled my siezures for years.

DO NOT take this as typical for everyone, this is my case only. Others have used Keppra with very little side effects.

Also It does not make you gain wieght, if anything I found it lessens your appetite making you thinner. I myself am actually looking to gain weight as I am very under weight.

Good mental health to you.

 

[Mnm8405]

Notsure,
Thank you for your input on Keppra. I have been on it less than a week so no real side effects to report yet. I am extremely tired and a little crabby, but I also work a stressful, fast-paced job up to 60 hours a week.. so I'm not ready to call it the Keppra just yet!