Epilepsy Forum - I'm New to Keppra,is It Any Good?


I'm New to Keppra,is It Any Good?

Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Epilepsy -> I'm New to Keppra,is It Any Good?

Medical Questions

Author

Message

kayakmom

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 252
Location: Conn

Thanks: 2

Thanked:0

Posted: 02-10-06 18:30pm


We start keppra at the end of the month. Seizures have been milder, but not fewer. We see many improvements but need control of these blasted seizures. He had an emergency appendectomy last week so that has made for a rough week. He is starting to feel better now and in less pain.... Thanks for asking. I am glad your consult is soon and you can get some help I hope. Best wishes on testing to see what can be done to help you more!

shelbe

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 39
Location: UK

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Hey Posted: 02-11-06 09:18am


I'm glad your son's feeling better.Good luck to you with starting the keppra.Things have gone bad with me but I guess it depends on the individual as to how many side affects.I think with me its the fact im on so many med's,its hard to find the right balance. I just hope I can get some tests done.As you said,its all good when you see some improvements,but we all need to find control over these siezures.Good luck and let me know when you start the keppra.Another side affect which I have noticed,nothing too bad just annoying.Wind/constipation.I have gone days without going and my stoumach has been killing me.Plus when I do break wind they stink :oops: not very lady like I know but it can't be helped.My kids make it worse.They are only 5&6,and if my son smells me he shouts at the top of his voice..."yuk,mommy you stink".Embarassing!! Some good news though,the headaches have stopped completley.Yippee!!!Take care.Xx

JollySam

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 1
Location: UK

Hi All, I Have to Come Off Zarontin ....... to Keppra??? Posted: 02-20-06 10:21am


Hi all, just found this forum, and very interesting it is too. I suffer from temporal lobe ep. (grand mals and petit mals) and have been well controlled by epilim 250mg2 zarontin (am), 250mg(midday) and 6200mg epilim(pm). Unfortunately zarontin will only be supplied until the end of this year so I have to have a drug change... Currently my consultant is taking the simple route and swapping zarontin with epilim. I am now taking epilim 1000mg(am), zarontin 250mg(midday), epilim 1000mg(pm). In a month the zarontin will be gone. The idea being one drug, minimal side effects which so far is working, although my confidence is less - one tends to rein in, in order to prevent a risk of an attack. I must confess that that there is something reassuring about a 2 prong drug defence, and keppra was my second prong.....!! However I am not so sure when reading the experiences in this forum. I will be discussing this with my gp tomorrow. By the way, to all those having a rough time at the moment, I really hope things clear up. I have been there...... 16 weeks in hospital when I was 18.... I am now 41 and run my own business..... Although I did suffer a setback in september and had my first gm attack for 15 years.... So no driving for me for 12 months...... Thank goodness for broadband......!!! Take care all, sam

shorty1825

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 27

Keppra - So Far. It's Been Better Then Other Meds Posted: 02-22-06 13:30pm


I was diagnosed with seizures 25 years ago, after a car accident. I've been on tegretol, phenobarbitol, dilanton, debakote, klonapin [ by themselves and all sorts or combinations], and now i'm currenty taken felbatol and keppra. The one thing I can say about the meds i''m taken now is that for once in my life I am not lathargic! I can go about my life w/o worring about fitigue or other side effects assocated with the other meds (like weight gain or falling asleep during conversations). The only problems I continue to have is migraines and nausea. I've always been proned to migraines, so this i've gotten use to. If you haven't started a journel of to keep track of seizure episodes, I highly recommend it. My journels have been the main reason I have gotten the medical help I have needed. Best of luck ! Last edited by shorty1825 on 02-22-06 14:55pm; edited 1 time in total

sandyallen

Extremely EHEALTHy

Joined: 02 Feb 2004
Posts: 4580

Posted: 02-22-06 14:18pm


Hi shorty1825. Have you tried topomax for your headaches, they have seemed to have helped a lot of people, their is a free trial of 42 tablets here on the internet, your dr still has to write out a prescription for them, you might want to talk to your dr about them, the free trial is only 25mg, they might have a little tendency to make you sleepy, I take 100mg. At bedtime, I get a lot of migranes, if I get a migrane during the day I take a immitrex during the day at the onset of the migraine. You sound like me, I take a lot of meds but for different reasons, mainly for pain. I take promethazine for nausea but it does knock me out. Shelbe. Better out than in, don't hold it , it can make matters worse, you might ask the dr about it. Keppra has some bad side effects but I know that it has helped a lot of people, I did not like it but maybe I was not on it long enough, we are all different. Good luck to all!

shorty1825

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 27

Hope It Works For You! Posted: 02-22-06 14:35pm


Hi - i'm new to forums. I hope I didn't come across to harsh. Just because I had a bad experience with depakote, doesn't mean every one will. You are right, we are all so different! If depakote works for you, then you will have found thing! Question -- do people ever ask you if you are bipolar or have phyciatric problems? I hope this is not too personnel, I am dealing with this very problem with my mil [she's a retired ped nurse].

shorty1825

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 27

Keppra Posted: 02-24-06 14:15pm


Hello, shelby; how's keppra doing for you? I sure hope that it helps. Take care-

shelbe

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 39
Location: UK

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Hey Shorty Posted: 02-24-06 18:00pm


Hey shorty,how are you? I'v not been to good lately.Not sure if its to do with the keppra or not.About a month ago my doc decided to try and reduce my phenytoin and introduce more keppra.For 3 weeks I was ok,siezure free.Then I started having them,2 every other night.They are worse than ever.I couldn't talk for a week because I had bit my tongue and mouth that much.In result of that I now have a mouth infection,very painfull.Well I put my dosage of keppra and phenytoin straight back to normal.Since then I have had just 1 siezure.I went to see my consultant on tuesday,he feels we should wait a couple of months then try again.This time reducing my phenytoin more gradually.I'm on 300mg and he really doesn't like the drug. Since bieng on the keppra there has been some good and bad effects.A good thing is since coming off the eppilim I am more alert.But I am having more siezures.I have always had a pattern with my siezures...Eg...Illness,stress,tiredness.T herefor I used to go months without them.Once I even went 11 months.But since bieng on the keppra I have been having at least 1 a month,last month it was 10.And they are much worse and they happen at any time.Mostly at night but iv had a few that were completly un expected.Due to this,my confidence is at a real low.I have not left my house alone(apart from walking the few yards to take my kids to school),since june of last year.Luckily my mom is around,but this is a great burden on her aswell.She doesn't admit it but I see she gets stressed out. Sorry im rambling now.Lol. Hope things are well with you. Take care,shelbe xx

shorty1825

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 27

Keppra Posted: 02-24-06 19:34pm


Shelby, gd 2 hear fm you. Sorry 2 hear you're not well. Understand how ya feel about having others taking care of you or helping you care for your kids. Been there, done that. I agree, it's stressful. Just remember, if it was someone else in your family who needed help and you were able you would pitch in. Families need to help eachother. Have you ever talked to neuro about felbamate [also known as felbatol], for controlling seizures? I've been on this for about 10 yrs now. Starting off on this med is a might tough [ dealing with nausea, headaches, lightheadedness and just not wanting to eat]. Aplastic anemia and some type of liver has been associated with some of the testing trials. If this happens it is w/in the first 6 months of taking 1st tablet. I've had some success with this med. Instead of having all cronic/ klonic partial complete seizures [sometimes 20 in 1 day] -- my seizures have bn down graded to simple seizures with an occasional partial complex seizure and sometimes i'll have a seizure in sleep. If a do have a day of non-stop seizure activity, it is of the simple seizure type [a far cry from a day of partial-complex]. I''m still tired after one of these type of days; but, I don't feel like i''m going insane. I think my neuro enjoys not hearing from me so often. I can truely say, that it has been the only anti-convulsion medication that has left me in my "right" mind. Dunno if this can help your situation; but, thought I give info. Take care -- and god bless!

beingyoume

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 9
Location: ohio

Posted: 02-28-06 10:20am


Its odd how people have their own version of what seizures are, ive been looked at as if im a little off, it took 3 years to find where mine are coming from, now they say its center of the brain, 2 weeks ago I becamr toxic on dilatin. Felt like my eyes were going to pop out and was incoherent..I was told to not take a couple days and now we are starting over, they do what they calll a free dilatin test, plus a regular reading, the free one is always higher, thats how I got toxic, I see doc weekly, now im ready to just quit taking meds alltogether, does anyone go through this, they are so uncontrolable, my life has changed completely,just want some input on how to handle it , thanks

kelshell

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Location: tennessee

Posted: 03-24-06 14:34pm


Okay, I am new to keppra. I am coming off of topamax (12 week process). How do you people work? This stuff is killing me. Has anyone applied for short term disability or any other help while getting through a process like this? I think I may need it. Any advice welcome.

shelbe

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 39
Location: UK

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Hey Kelshell Posted: 03-27-06 15:45pm


Since I was diagnosed epileptic 6 years ago,i have been registered dusabled and I get a disability benefit due to the fact that I can't work.Well not untill my epilepsy is stabelised.But epilepsy is a disability and you are intitled to the benefit.Hope this helps.

mad_zappy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 21 Apr 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Seattle,WA

Posted: 05-02-06 14:10pm


I have been on keppra for years but have had some depression issues with it, now, after my last resection in feb. I noticed that im having really bad panic attacks (anxiety) my wife said my face would turn white as a ghost and then seizure time! Now, im off it and I haven't felt this good in years!!!! My seizures are controled with just one med now! Yaaaaa! Sure hope keppra works better for you. I hear that it's a fine med. For some. Oh, the headaches do go away, patience is the key to this game!

kelshell

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Location: tennessee

Keppra Posted: 05-03-06 08:50am


I had to come off keppra. I was only on for a few weeks. The headaches and outrages were to much to deal with. I have been off for about a month and I feel great. I am still on topamax and may start something new later.

shorty1825

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 27

Keppra - One of the Better Anti-seizure Meds Around Posted: 05-24-06 11:23am


Hi shelbe - hope all is well with you! Keppra's a keeper. I've been taking keppra for several years now [1500 mg in the morning & 1500 mg in the evening - along with 800mg felbatol (3 x day). Side effects seem to be less than most other med's i've been on. I have noticed I become dizzy easier and get confused easier. Headaches, nausea are always included as side effects, in seizure medications. B4 felbatol and keppra, I had partial-complex seizures, my seizures have since been downgraded to "simple" with an occasional partial-complex seizure. This is definately going in the possitive direction! May not be a complete solution; but, it's better than what it used to be. Hang in there, hope all will b fine . Take care

Gaudamus

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 2

Posted: 01-27-07 14:56pm


How's it going? I'm new to the forum and I just saw the topic. I feel like I have to post my bad experiences with keppra on here as a warning. I have grand mal seizures triggered by alcohol and so my doctor put me on a keppra, topamoax mix. Apparently I have had the worst mix of side effects from keppra and the topamax possible. If you have a slightly angry personality I would be worried about the keppra. It made me very easily angered. For no reason I would lash out at inanimate objects. I also had extreme mood swings. I have since cut back on the keppra, and I am feeling a lot more like myself. I will never take that crap again. I am almost weened completely off of it. The depression was the worst part of it. So if you experience any of the infrequent side effects, please talk to your doctor. I don't mean to sound like a commercial, but that crap is serious. I thought it was a problem with me, but once I got off of the medicine, I was so much better.

teabag 17

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 5
Location: australia

Keppra Is It Any Good Posted: 03-11-07 20:48pm


Hi Shelbe and everyone, I am new to the forum and I am new to keppra. I think I will start at the beginning, in 1996 I had an aneurysm clipped after having a bleed. One year later I started to have de-ja-vue epilepsy. Then in 1998 I emigrated to Australia from the uk. After 3 years i went to my local dr who gave me cipramil for what I thought was a pick me up. She gave me 3 sample boxes of the cipramil and after the first tablet i felt suicidal, after a week my seizures went through the roof. I now have grand mal seizures. I have been on tegratol for 10yrs all was going fine until the cipramil and they upped the dose of tegratol and the seizures went worse. They then lowered the dose and i am now on 600mg a day. My neurologist thought putting me on 250mg keppra a night would help control the seizures and stop the headaches i get when i have a seizure. After being on keppra and tegratol for 1 week i have the headaches, wind. How long do the side effects of keppra (headaches) last. Next week i start another 250mg of keppra of a morning and that i have been told is my full dose 600mg tegratol and 500mg of keppra. Best Regards to everyone. Pat (teabag)

shelbe

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 39
Location: UK

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Hey Everyone Posted: 03-22-07 09:24am


i'v not been on here for ages so i thought i'd come on and see how everyone is doing! Well,at the mo my medication is like this.....1000mg keppra morning and night,100mg lamictal morning and night and im now down to 200mg phenytoin on night. My seizures are no better.My epilepsy nurse has also pescribed me a tablet called clobozon.This is a trancquillizer(ignore my spelling).I don't take these very often,only if iv suffered a cluster of seizures and are feeling really bad.Plus if i take them too often they will stop working and i will become addicted.Which i really don't wanna do. i'm now waiting on an appointment at a place called 'Aston University',its in Birmingham,England.Basically im gonna be a human guinea pig,but only for an eeg,no drugs.Its one they will leave on me over night to see what the hell goes on inside this head of mine at night time,as that is now the ONLY time i get them.I can go 2 weeks without 1 but can also suffer up to 3 a night. Hope everyone else is doing good and is getting on well with there meds.Please let me know!! Speak soon,luv Shell xx

teabag 17

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 5
Location: australia

Posted: 03-24-07 23:54pm


Hi Shelbe, how long does it take till the headaches go away. It seems at the moment that is all i am getting of the side effects. please let me know. regards pat

shelbe

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 39
Location: UK

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Hey Pat Posted: 03-25-07 11:03am


Hi,my headaches went on badly for a few months,then they died down and i wouldn't get them so often and now,i get them once in a blue moon. So just see them out,soon enough they'll be gone. Shell xx