switching from Keppra to tegretol

[wrestlescotty]

I have been doing well as far as being seizure free on Keppra for about 5 years. Ive only had 4 grand mals in that time. Recently I got a new job and they will not cover the brand name. I have had a lot of trouble with the generic in the past by being tired all the time and even after months and months of taking the generic I was never able to feel right. My Neuro tried everything she could do to get my insurance to cover it but they refuse and I can't afford to pay for brand name. My doctor suggested switching to tegretol. I am very worried about switching meds, because the process has not gone well for me in the past. I tend to have problems with mood swings when I'm on more than 1 med and the process of switching meds is very hard for me. I have a hard time feeling any kind of emotion, but after while I feel like I am going to blow up over little things. This is not typical of me and most people would describe me as a fun and relaxed person. Right now I'm about 15 days into being on both meds. Im hoping to start decreasing on Keppra soon.

I spent the weekend with my family and I felt kind of out of it. I think I weirded everyone out because my family jokes around a lot and I couldn't laugh at anything, had a hard time paying attention and at times I felt like I wasn't making sense. Is this kind of feeling something other people go through too? Is it typical of people on tegretol? Will it go away? I'd just be very interested in hearing other peoples experiences with this med or med changes in general. I am very nervous about it because I work in an enviroment where social interactions are very important, and I feel like I am unable to carry on conversations.

 

[Soniag]

i was on tegretol and had no side affects with it. this medication didn't work for me so they added lamotrigine, which interacted with the tegretol so i slowly came off it. i now don't get any serious side affects. you may start to feel better once you have been on it a bit longer, we are all different with these kind of problems. if you don't feel any better or you start to feel worse then its best to speak to your doctor

 

[CQ:)]

Hi wrestlescotty,

Welcome to CWE.
The way you are feeling could be your brain adjusting to the new med change.

I have tried 5 different epilepsy meds to control my seizures & most of them were add ons. I always found that the 1st 2 -3 weeks of a med change was when I would have any main side effects.

When I have had a med change the side effects I would get with in the 1st few days after a med change would be I would feel more tired or have no energy, slight headache, not quite right like I am on my own little planet. These feelings would usually only last for a couple of days.

Im not sure how your neuro is adjusting your meds but I found with me I have had less side effects from med changes if I've done it slowly.

Good luck with everything

 

[Dignan]

I've gone thru the same thing with generic vs. brand name. However, my doc said through a written letter that I was required to take brand name. So, the insurance company had to give it to me. I know not all insurance is the same, but mine had a provision that said if the doc says it MUST be brand name and it is documented and sent to them then they MUST provide it and there is even a cap on pricing to keep it from being too outrageously expensive.

You may have looked into that already, but if not you might take another look.

I had more problems with generic than with brand name as well. If you do decided to end Keppra, keep us posted on how your taper process goes in terms of how you feel. I may be doing the same thing soon.

 

[wrestlescotty]

My doctor did wright a letter to my insurance company, but they still wont cover brand name keppra. I dont understand why because under my last insurance they covered brand name when my neuro suggested it. Anyways, my levels have been low so I am still on both meds, but they keep increasing tegretol. I have been feeling a little better, but still very distracted. I find myself staring off into space when things are going on. I am definitely not doing good at my job, but I feel uncomfortable telling people whats going on.