Keppra !!

Hi everyone, 4 mths ago my wife suffered an aneurism, at the time she had a seizure, all the way through her rehab she was given Keppra and suffered no further seizures but the side effects were quite substantial. Prior to discharge from rehab she was weened off Keppra due to no further seizures, 1.5 weeks later she took another seizure and was taken into hospital after it was diagnosed as a tonic-clonic seizure she was discharged that day a put back on Keppra (250mg x 2 a day) which seems to have set back her progress as she’s constantly knackered and and feels high as a kite, to complicate things more she was diagnosed with a urine infection and put on antibiotics, Is there anything other than Keppra ?

[Mikey48]

I had a SAH in 2015 which was coiled. Three years later I had 3 tonic clonic seizures in a row and was put on to Keppra. My dosage is 750 mg twice a day and I tolerate them pretty well . I had a few side effects early on, e. g. bruising to my fingers but nothing serious although my wife says I have become a bit over sensitive. I have annual reviews with the Epilepsy clinic as part of a 5 year programme. The seizures were linked to the SAH although 3 years does seem a long while afterwards.

[Hidden in reply to Mikey48]

Thanks Mikey48 for taking the time to respond, things are a bit better today so I’m hoping this my wife’s system re adapting to the tablets.

[Ouch2020]

Hi, I would be really wary of Keppra. Some people have very bad reactions to this drug and no one tells you about them until they happen. Read the leaflet with the medication. I took this medication for tonic clonic seizures and it made my seizures much worse and also made me suicidal. It took 5 years of hell on this medication before I figured it out and when I raised it with my doctor they said “come off it straight away it is known side effect” and they were panic stricken.

Everyone is different with different drugs and I appreciate that but I have never had a reaction previously or since to a medication and I would advise extreme caution. If you are worried about any side effects from this drug tell your doctor - it’s really important!

[Hidden in reply to Ouch2020]

Many thanks

[Chelle3069]

I wouldn't use Keppra again, I reacted very badly to them and became very aggressive on them. I would say avoid if you can find an alternative.

[Hidden in reply to Chelle3069]

Many thanks

[gabimou]

Hi ,when i first started on Keppra for partial seizures like any new meds you will get some side effects until your body adjusts..It's actually known as the rage drug!!!

I know at first they made me feel sleepy/drowsy and quite aggressive so i learnt to try and control the aggressiveness.

I started on 2x 500mg a day then upped to 3x500mg a day but started to feel weird so neurologist then put me on 2x1000mg a day 1xmorning & 1x night also i take 0.5mg the lowest dose of Clonotril 1x a day depends when i start to feel anxious tends to be about mid day..

They tell you not to read the side effects ,hellooooo we all do it so it maybe a good idea or not to maybe read up on it,i did loads of research...

I also did a daily diary at first so i could see what feelings i was having and what could set me off with my anxiety...

It's known as one of the new drugs and has less chance of liver problems like some of the older ones,but again everyone reacts differently.

I also found changing my diet to healthy eating helped & i also treat myself to holistic treatments like massages,reflexology &reiki all this contributes to keeping me calm from stress & anxiety..

But i would advice if you see any big effects to mention it to your Dr or Neurologist straight away that's why i kept a daily diary & my neurologist has kept all my notes in my file.

Good Luck

Mandy

[Hidden in reply to gabimou]

Thanks very much for your feedback appreciated very much

[plc38]

I was briefly on fluoxetine before I was moved to the Lewin Rehab ward in Addenbrooke's Hospital. I was put on haloperidol when I became angry at the way I was being treated as a result of a psychiatric report that was inaccurate and also libellous.

[m4tthall]

I have been on 2x 1000mg a day now since my brain abscess at the end of April. I have a number of residual symptoms since having the abscess but could not say whether they are due to drugs, the surgery or how my body is trying to recover. I don't know whether it is an exact science at this point in my journey so am keeping an open mind. The neurosurgeons I have spoken also suggest it depends on numerous factors, which I can understand but it can be frustrating.

Some of my personal symptoms include the following in varying degrees and intensity depending on numerous factors, not always constant:

* Fatigue

* Headaches

* Arm pain - corresponding with the arm where the main area of seizures originated

* Anger

* Memory

* Ear issues

* Balance (likely to be related to ears perhaps)

It has been suggested to me that later in the year I will have some tests and then look to see how a plan can be put together to slowly reduce the keppra dosage to ideally come off it. I guess this is when I'll begin to see whether keppra itself is impacting any of the above.

I know this doesn't answer your question in any way whatsoever but given the title of the post I thought it worth at least replying

Good luck with your next steps

[Hidden in reply to m4tthall]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply, agreed with the consultant to keep going a few weeks and see if we can cope with the dosage for now

[m4tthall in reply to Hidden]

Sincerely hope the side effects become less of an issue and she can ultimately come off keppra at some point in the future. Keep us posted on your journey.