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Side effects from Keppra?
This is about my husband. He started having seizure like episodes four months ago once or twice a month that lasted 5-20 minutes. After trying to convince doctors these weren't anxiety attacks they did an EEG which was interrupted by a seizure like episode. They immediately got him on Keppra without confirming epilepsy and since then he's been completely out of it, has memory loss, slurs his speech, uneven pupils sometimes and others he smells something burning, cough, panic, sees flashing lights and colors,loses contact with the environment and more. He has stopped taking it since Saturday morning and he's much more conscious but still had episodes mostly with his head hurting, panic, burning smell and getting super sleepy when this happens. Memory is getting better.
Does anyone know if all of these are normal as far as bad side effects of keppra go and if so when they will go away?
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I was told that Keppra can slow your thinking a bit. When I took it I only noticed a mild effect.
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1 Reaction@pscholes10
Better to decrease slow than fast. Seizizure meds should never be stopped quickly unless advised by your doctor due to serious allergic reactions like Stephen Johnson syndrome, organ damage, and a number of other conditions. Discontinuing seizure medication too quickly can lead to a serious condition, status epilepticus, requiring immediate medical intervention.
Believe me its not worth the risk. Been there too many times.
Take care,
Jake
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3 ReactionsI was walking on my treadmill. I did not remember talking to my wife. She said it lasted about 30 seconds. Then I remember walking out of her office, walking down the stairs and getting back on the treadmill and finished my walk uninhibited. No lip smacking or other such thing.
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3 ReactionsSounds like you are alergic to keppra. See a Neurologist and get a different drug. Seizures can cause a lot of issues and can be dangerous. I only problem is / was loose stool. When my Paxil stopped working due to ??? I tried to go off too quickly and crashed. No sleep for 2 months and took 2 years to get 1/2 way back to normal. I should have taken 2 years to taper down not 2 months.
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3 ReactionsI would say why not do it gradually. A call to your doctors office would get you a quick answer also. God Bless...
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2 ReactionsHi @pscholes10
Be welcome in our group!
I very much agree with @jakedduck1, better reduce an AED slowly than fast. It is what my doctor has been doing with me. I started on 500 mg of Keppra twice a day in December and today I take 125 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening.
In a situation where I felt unsure of a recommended procedure from a doctor, I usually try to get a second or third opinion.
Besides your neurosurgeon, do you have an epileptologist or neurologist following you after those surgeries you had?
All my best to you!
Chris
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2 ReactionsIm so frustrated just reading about your experiences. Fire your doctor! i know depending on where u live a competent expert may be hard to find. But i left my GP for lack of knowledge or care about my symptoms. I now have zoom appointments with two experts in the fields i need, I feel seen and heard. We don’t need in person as often as we think.
I wish u all the best in life.
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3 ReactionsPlease be careful. Stopping an AED increases your risk of seizure activity over time. You have had 2 craniotomies? I had one in May 2014. My eeg shows a breach rhythm which is non epileptic but abnormal. My neuroligist said he felt I could taper off my topirimate. I said no. Now I take lamotrigine ER 100mg daily. Did your doctor give you a printed schedule for reducing your dose? I have remained seizure free since 2014. To me that is a gift I will guard forever.
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3 ReactionsI was diagnosed with simple seizures about 8 years ago in the ER. I did not have any previous seizures or symptoms previously but due to the MRI showing a arachnoid cyst and a problem with my speech I was placed on a generic Keppra 750 mg bid but is still struggling with the diagnosis and the medication. Has anyone else experienced major agitation with this medication?
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2 ReactionsHi @sunny18 - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could talk with others who have taken levetiracetam (Keppra) or been around a friend or family member who took it and can speak to experiencing agitation with this medication.
- Side effects from Keppra? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-know-if-intense-keppra-side-effects-are-normal/
Please meet @keppraeffect @hippele @royanthony @gratefulbob and others in this discussion.
Were you saying, sunny18, that you are still struggling with the diagnosis? If so, will you share a bit more about that?