Started my keppra

[Buddy's owner]

One a day for 4 weeks. Then two a day. So far not noticed any side effects and another seizure is overdue as they often happened once a month but touch wood nothing, hopefully I won't have any with being on keppra. Fingers crossed. Said to my neurologist I wouldn't mind if I stayed conscious during a seizure but I get the stupid tonic clonics hence why I was reluctant to hold off on the medication. The one in october gave me a sore head, a black eye thank you very much, a sore back, a bruised nose, a little cut I never realised I had til that evening when I was getting ready for bed, a bruised knee and a few other minor injuries. Must have bit my tongue somewhere in the seizure as I got an ulcer on it. So don't fancy anymore seizures noooo thank you very much. Come on keppra kick my seizures into the middle of next year but no keppra rage please just kick the seizures if you don't mind that will do nicely. Now where is my dog who knew it was coming. We take notice if he acts weird again. He is a clever boy Buddy is, he is my best friend. Though a bit daft. Hates high pitched noises.

 

[valeriedl]

I just want to give all of you who have TCs a big hug! :hugs:

I mostly only have partial seizures but I do usually have 2 TCs a year and they aren't anything like many of you have. Luckily I've been sitting in a chair, laying on the couch or in bed when they happen and I just stay where I am and shake. I've never fallen out of them. I think the worst I've ever done during a TC is gnaw the inside of my mouth raw.

During many of my seizures I like to get up and walk around but I have a cat who almost always seems to know when I'm going to have a seizure or having one because he'll get on me and won't let me move. He's a pretty big boy and not easy to just push off. He also seems to know when the seizure is over too because he won't get off of me until he knows I'm ok.

I think it's just amazing what animals know and will do for you.

I went through a good bit of different meds before I found the ones that helped with my seizures. They didn't stop them but they've lessened and aren't nearly as bad. I hope the keppra works for you and you don't have any of the side effects!

 

[Nakamova]

I hope the Keppra is a good match! Fingers-crossed for no seizures, no side effects.

 

[Cint]

I hope Keppra works, too. I also hope you DON'T experience any of that rage that is known to go along with it or the depression. Do let your dr. know ASAP if you start feeling anything "weird"!

 

[Fedup]

Buddy's owner

I hope the keppra works for you and without any side effects, but just incase let your doctor know straight away. Hoping you are lucky.

 

[zoe147]

Oh, I hope Keppra does the trick and does all the good things you need it to. Thank goodness you have Buddy to watch over you and give you a warning. That is fantastic. What a sweetheart! Our little pals are so smart and attentive.

Sending you all good thoughts and hopes that the Keppra shows your TCs the door!

 

[Epilepsy in Kingston]

I started Keppra about 2 weeks ago, as well. I am worried about rage also. I do have a journal that my epileptologist told me is one of the best she has seen from any patients.

I want to make sure I am looking out for other side effects as well but am worried that I am starting to over think things.

 

[Nakamova]

FYI: Taking a B6 vitamin can potentially help with Keppra's mood-related side effects, should they appear.

 

[Buddy's owner]

I'll look into the b6 vitamin. Seizures are a pain in the neck. Carbamazepine used to controll it and keep me seizure free but can't have that now so keppra it is. Still not sure what triggered my last seizure. I do know that I'll listen to Buddy in future if he acts like he did before I had the seizure now we know what he does. Pacing round my room the night before, on the day crying and pawing at my leg. I'd just got home from walking him gone to take my coat off according to mum and bang. Flippin good job my cushion with a pic of Buddy on it was on the floor where I fell. Came round and kept saying I haven't walked Buddy. Must have frazzled my memory because I have been more forgetful since. Mind you I did bang my head on the chest of drawers. I looked into having Buddy trained as a seizure alert dog but apparrantly here in the uk they won't train pet dogs as seizure alert dogs.

 

[Nakamova]

Well it sounds like Buddy did a pretty good job all around. Let's hope he doesn't need to be "on-duty" any time soon.

 

[Buddy's owner]

Well it sounds like Buddy did a pretty good job all around. Let's hope he doesn't need to be "on-duty" any time soon.

Mum said when it happened he was crying. Will have to post a pic of him.

 

[zoe147]

Mum said when it happened he was crying. Will have to post a pic of him.

Oh, my gosh. What a sweetheart! Yes, you have to post a picture of him. (I thought the little guy in your avatar was Buddy). Sending hugs to you and Buddy and hopes that the med change really helps.

Nakamova, thank you for the info re: B6!



:hugs:

 

[Buddy's owner]

Oh, my gosh. What a sweetheart! Yes, you have to post a picture of him. (I thought the little guy in your avatar was Buddy). Sending hugs to you and Buddy and hopes that the med change really helps.

Nakamova, thank you for the info re: B6!



:hugs:

The handsome boy in my avatar is indeed Buddy. He had just been to the groomers when I took that, he went last week too actually so all ready for christmas. Been feeling drowsy today but put that down to keppra.

 

[AlohaBird]

I do know that I'll listen to Buddy in future if he acts like he did before I had the seizure now we know what he does. Pacing round my room the night before, on the day crying and pawing at my leg. I looked into having Buddy trained as a seizure alert dog but apparrantly here in the uk they won't train pet dogs as seizure alert dogs.

That's exactly how Valentino acts with me particularly the crying and pawing at me. It's a very distinctive behavior.

Under US law, you can train your own service dog. Buddy already knows what to do about your seizures. All that you would really need to train him to do is how to behave in public. If he can behave well enough to sit at your feet in a restaurant (not jumping up on the waitress or begging food from other tables) for example, then you have a service dog.
Does the UK have anything analogous to the Americans With Disabilities Act? Most people here think you can't have a pet become a service dog but then I read the fine print of the ADA. It is possible.

 

[Buddy's owner]

That's exactly how Valentino acts with me particularly the crying and pawing at me. It's a very distinctive behavior.

Under US law, you can train your own service dog. Buddy already knows what to do about your seizures. All that you would really need to train him to do is how to behave in public. If he can behave well enough to sit at your feet in a restaurant (not jumping up on the waitress or begging food from other tables) for example, then you have a service dog.
Does the UK have anything analogous to the Americans With Disabilities Act? Most people here think you can't have a pet become a service dog but then I read the fine print of the ADA. It is possible.

I'm in the uk and here they won't train pet dogs as seizure alert dogs. I'm not sure I know here they take discrimination seriously when they feel like but not always from my experience. I will look into it. The crying was when I was unconscious.

 

[Havok]

I hope it works for you!

Watch out for mood swings, too. I would get the rage at times. I had no idea that was a side effect of Keppra. Just thought I was having a bad week lol. Almost hit some people at work.
Also had incidents of flat, no emotion, total robot, or randomly started crying.

It all started with some euphoria at one pill, and then mood swings started with 3. Can't remember the dosage, but just be aware of your emotions as you increase. For some reason, despite being pretty self-aware most of the time, I didn't realize that the emotional issues were "off." Really, what I was feeling was all that mattered, and I lost objectivity.

I pray you don't have side effects, but be vigilant.

 

[Buddy's owner]

Only side effect I'm getting so far is feeling tired/drowsy no keppra rage thank goodness.

 

[Nakamova]

That's great, hope you continue to feel fine on it.

 

[lyeilding]

keppra rages

I just found this web-site and learned about Keppra rages. I have been on Keppra for about 2 years and have lost a lot of weight. Since starting it I do struggle with irritability and negativity. I have negative dreams too. I love running, hiking, zumba etc so have been trying my best to manage the side effects with exercise. It helps but it is work to keep my moods in check. Ask my husband. The keppra has been successful in controlling the partial seizures. I just wish the mood issues would be controlled better. I am going to see a new doctor and am going to ask him if an anti-depressant could be added.
Any thoughts.

 

[browneyesbcgal]

well since I have been on Keppra i am now seizure free and am now off primidone which I was on for plus 30 years....since being off primidone I have lost 55 plus pounds and counting which makes me so happy now not to give advice but i would be careful about adding any drugs esp.anti-depressants...the irritability could be a function of diet...or may improve mood with better diet...depends...but adding another strong drug may not be the answer ....