weight gain ....is it the keppra

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jayde-101

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Since starting keppra on March 5th i have gained 21 pounds ... So now in stead of 7 stone Im now 8 1/2 stone ...

Also...

I see my new consultant on Wednesday what sort of question should i compile for Im getting scared and confused :(

Many thanks
 
Weight gain is a side effect of several seizure medications, including Keppra and Epilim, but of the two it is more frequently associated with Epilim. But it doesn't have to be that way! Eat a very healthy diet but definitely don't think starving yourself will help you lose weight, either - that just puts the body into starvation mode where it will hoard the calories you do take in. When you get a case of the munchies eat fruits, veggies, low-fat and low-salt crackers. Sometimes hunger, when you know you really shouldn't be hungry, can b pushed aside for a while by drinking fluids, and watering down juices gets you the fluid with reduced calories but half-decent flavor. Also make sure to get lots of exercise - not only does that burn calories it also increases your metabolism so your body will burn more calories even when you are not exercising.
 
jayde-101

I think the weight gain is probably the keppra and I do not mean to be smart but 8 1/2 stone the last time I seen that on a scales I was in school (wish I was that weight now) go easy on yourself about the weight gain, I am twice your weight.

As for the consultant I would ask him to do blood tests and if he thinks you are on too high a level of drugs or if he would prefer a different drug and why. Has he any other suggestions and what are they and why. You know what you want to ask yourself so add that in as well. You know better than anyone what you need to know.
 
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jayde-101

I am 6' 3" and 18 stone 11 pounds, not good when you start breaking lamp shades with your head.
 
I am concerned about weight because of my age. Now in my "middle" 40's, they say you start to pack it on at this age. I do not know what a 'stone' is. I am 6 foot, 1 in height and i do not know what that is in meters. I weigh 165 pounds; what is that in stones?
 
My weight is 53 and a bit kilos
53 kilos is 8 stone
8 stone is 112 pounds

So Janas there is 14 pounds to a stone
 
I used to be obsessed about my weight. So much so that I got down to 86 pounds!! I am 5'7". Needless to say, I was pretty close to checking out. I have worked past that and I am proud to say that I now weigh 133 pounds. I am also 53 and am beginning to see things in a different way. I no longer give a crap about how super models differ from me or stars on tv looking so thin. Gaining the weight has helped with the seizures. I think it is just because it has lessened the stress level of trying so hard to watch every thing that I eat. If you are uncomfortable with your weight gain, by all means talk to your doctor. Otherwise I say, just go with it. You are only here once. How much of that time do you want to waste stressed out about weight? Big (((HUGS)))
 
Thanks all! I love love love it here. I found that I am 11.79 stone. Wow, that is heavy (pun intended). I had a weird day with several petit-mal seizures that are accompanied with this feeling of deep hopelessness. I equate the seizure activity to a spirulina, protein mix i put on homemade ice cream last night.
 
I am also on Keppra, and I lost weight when I was first put on the medication, but I sorta lost my appetite for the first couple of weeks. I also changed my diet quite a bit to mostly natural foods. I look at ingredients more so than calorie count to ensure the ingredients are mostly simple, and eat most things full fat... cheese, yogurt, etc. All of this keeps me satisfied for longer and kinda decreases cravings, which I think is probably a big reason I didn't gain weight (I know medications can mess with those cravings!). I also had picked up my exercise routine. I've always loved running, but because I couldn't drive, I was also cycling and walking more. If you are worried, just change a few diet habits and maybe add in more day-to-day activity, It all counts! :)
 
YES R-girl85 !!! I have the same thing. I am still not gaining at all in spite of 750mg keppra 2 times a day. I go full fat and too much sugar for sure but avoid HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP like the plague. That makes you crave more food. And all natural/least processed as can be. I even quit smoking and never gained weight also. It is getting off my but and walking every day, biking lots and having fun in life.
 
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