Why didn't keppra work?

[notime]

As many of you are aware Keppra XR did not work for me, and my neurologist who is a neurologist with additional training in epilepsy didn't know why when I asked him. He said it's just the way you are, and didn't really know why.

Little history, I went from having seizures every few months to every month and finally I had enough. I went to a neurologist who prescribed Keppra XR, and I took 2 pills twice daily. I then had another seizure back at the end of July, and he increased it to 3000mg 3 pills twice daily, but I just had another seizure. Why didn't the medicine work? I assume there isn't any research explaining why, but are you aware of any theories or anything that may explain why it doesn't work? I was told that there was a 70% chance of it working, that's pretty high percent. At least in my opinion. He prescribed lamictal, does it have a chance of working?

He was pretty confident that depakote would completely stop my seizures. He wanted to use that as a last option though, and said he wants me to lose weight because there is a chance that I may gain it and since I am pretty obese 280lbs 5'7" that would be a bad idea and wants to give this medicine a chance instead. With this medicine, I have a pretty high chance he says. But, why didn't keppra xr work? I just want to know why, sorry I just don't get why it didn't work. I like to question these things, even if it's just theories.

Sorry if I keep asking these questions and seem annoying... I just want to learn as much as I can about this disease and really want to stop having seizures so I can live my life. :/

 

[Soniag]

different medications will work differently for everyone. keppra xr may not have worked for you but can help many other people. i was the same when i was on tegretol, for two years they kept on increasing it but my seizures continued. i am now on lamotrigine and just had my dose increased as i had experienced a couple more seizures. its just a matter of finding the right dose for you, and possibly the right cobination of medication. if you are worried about anything the best thing you can do is talk to your doctor for some advise

 

[Cint]

Since you say you went to a neurologist with additional training in epilepsy (An epileptologist), then he will give you the answers he knows. They don't know exactly why epilepsy develops in some people, unless you've had a head injury or had meningitis or encephalitis. I'm one of those folks, too. Mine developed when I was 23 years of age.

It sounds like Keppra isn't the medication for you. If your overweight, have the docs checked out your blood sugar levels, too? Making sure you don't have pre-diabetes? That could effect seizures.

I have tried 11 meds, had a temporal lobectomy and now have the Vagus Nerve Stimulator and still have an occasional seizure. I also take 3000 mgs. of Keppra and 200 mgs. of Topamax along with it. Some of us are in the category of "Refractory", where NOTHING has worked completely to stop our seizures! I also have Type 1 Diabetes, brought on by another drug, so now I have to take insulin shots 5-6 times a day.

I quit asking "Why?" all frickin' day and focus on staying seizure free and well. At least I am still alive after many near death experiences.

Check this out:
EXPOSURE TO SEIZURE TRIGGERS
http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/Exposure_to_seizure_triggers.html

 

[Haffgus]

Keppra did not work for my daughter. I actually blame the Keppra on causing an increase in her seizures and the intensity of them. Lamictal caused dizziness and blurred vision so we didn't stick with that. She is on Depakote. She did have a 5 pound or so weight gain initially. We are five months seizure free and just deal with some thinning of the hair and tiredness.

 

[Nakamova]

The epilepsy meds work in different ways; Lamictal works differently from Keppra, which works differently from Zonegran, and so on. The neurologists aren't entirely sure how of the meds work exactly.

Plus, individual responses vary dramatically -- in part because epilepsy is a loose term for a broad spectrum of symptoms and causes. It plays out very differently from one person to another. Some people are 'medication-responsive' whereas others may need to try several different kinds before finding something that works.

 

[jofo]

keppra

Hi All, I'm new and so fed up! I have been increased in Keppra xr 1000mg twice a day and I'm now having 3 or 4 seizures a week as opposed to 1 or 2 a month! My doctor has said he'll try increasing it again but will this make it worse??? I can't cope anymore with the stress of this! I take tegratol 1000mg a day too. Has anyone had this happen and did an increase make it any better?

Thanks

 

[daviscy60]

The way I feel at the present moment... I would say be glad it didn't work... Diagnosed with seizures at age 19. Started Dilantin. It controlled seizures as long as I made sure to take it. Of course I went thru times which I got busy or maybe even felt like REALLY do I need this??? That I had issues. After 30 yrs started having problems. PCP wanted to increase Dilantin. Neuro decided to switch me to keppra. It has done wonders so far at getting seizures under control, but at times I just can't stand the way I feel. Did good and felt okay all day... but then it doesn't take much to change your moods around completely. And at this moment I'm irritated at everything and depressed.

 

[Nakamova]

It's possible that your brain is still adjusting to the Keppra increase, in which case you could try staying at the current dose (if you are able to) to see if things level out. It's also possible that the Keppra is making things worse. Definitely let your doctor know that you aren't happy with the current situation, and aren't comfortable with simply upping the dose, particularly since the Keppra isn't helping (and may be harming). Ask about other medications you might try.

The threads below (about Keppra causing rather than stopping seizures) may be of interest:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/can-keppra-actually-cause-you-have-seizures-2393/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/not-sure-keppra-working-19118/
http://www.circleofmoms.com/moms-of...rder-kids/keppra-making-seizures-worse-724504