I started with Epilepsy about 4 years ago and eventually the fits settled on Keppra having tried both Lamotragine and sodium valporate. After 3 years on 1000 mg per day split into 2 doses, I suffered a really bad reaction to the Keppra- intense nausea, bad back ache and dreadful confusion and the dose was halved to 500 mg. I also have chronic thyroid problems and have a very slow metabolic rate so it seemed I needed less of the Keppra as the fits were still being controlled. Five months ago I started with extreme breathlessness, so bad it was like a continual asthma attack, and I ended up on a large dose of steroids just to sit on the sofa all day and not move. I finally read the patient information leaflet with the Keppra and discovered that it can cause breathing problems. I have now dropped down to 250mg of the Keppra taken at night when I am asleep which has eased the breathing problems considerably and I have been able to slowly drop off the steroids. I now have to battle the Neuro as he says it can't be the Keppra causing the problem. I know I risk the fits starting up again by dropping the dose of Keppra but I can't spend the rest of my life gasping for breath while just sitting on the sofa.
Has anyone else suffered breathing problems when taking Keppra?
Heather
Keppra 500 
Keppra and pregnancy
Sister tablet of Keppra
