Is this withdrawal symptoms or a sign of a seizure? Is it normal?

Posted by chloep145 @chloep145, Nov 5, 2025

Hi, im 17 and have had epilepsy since around 2020 which is when i started medication for epilepsy. I have been seizure free for around a year or two and have just started gradually decreasing my medication doses. I take Keppra levectriaem oral solution every morning and night and it has been 15ml for the past 3-4 years. As i said,i am currently decreasing it as my consultant said i could try so for the past 2 weeks ive been taking 10ml in the morning and the normal 15ml dose at night.

At first everything was going well but since around the end of last week i started feeling off,a slight bad head and slightly more sensitive to light and just not feeling myself.
Im really worried this means a seizure and i hope it isnt because i just really hate having seizures so i guess i just need reassurance as im meant to be decreasing it again to 10ml morning and night next week.

Is this withdrawal?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Nov 7, 2025

In reply to @chloep145 "@santosha what do you mean by my seizure threshold has changed with the medication reduction?" + (show)

@chloep145
Let me try to explain this concept a bit better!
Your seizure threshold is basically your brain's resistance to having a seizure—think of it like a protective barrier. Anti-epileptic medications work by raising this threshold, making it harder for seizures to occur. When you reduce your medication, that protective barrier can become lower, which means your brain becomes more susceptible to seizures. This could explain why you're experiencing more of these sensations (which seem to be prodromes) now compared to when you were on a higher dose.
Finding the right balance—a dosage that raises your seizure threshold enough without causing too many medication side effects—is one of the real challenges of managing epilepsy.
Does that make more sense now? Feel free to ask if anything is still unclear!
Chris

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lauragal | @lauragal | Nov 20, 2025

In reply to @chloep145 "@santosha Hi, i wasn’t experiencing this until a week or so after i started reducing the..." + (show)

@chloep145 That Can Be A Dose Reduction.. However Follow The Relax, Reduce Stress Moments When They Occur.. MANY Times That Is Your Body Adjusting To The Lower Dose, It DOESN’T Mean You Need To Immediately Increase Your Dose!!!!

chloep145 | @chloep145 | Nov 20, 2025

In reply to @lauragal "@chloep145 That Can Be A Dose Reduction.. However Follow The Relax, Reduce Stress Moments When They..." + (show)

@lauragal hi,it wasnt my body adjusting to the lower dose my consultant confirmed that on my appointment last week. It was signs that my body was not ready for it. I am now back on my normal dose and havent experienced it since.

chloep145 | @chloep145 | Nov 20, 2025

In reply to @santosha "@chloep145 Let me try to explain this concept a bit better! Your seizure threshold is basically..." + (show)

@santosha Hi, It wasnt my body adjusting to the lower dose and it also wasnt prodromes. My consultant confirmed last week that it was signs that my body just wasn’t ready for it. Im now back on the highest dosage and feel fine.

Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Nov 21, 2025

In reply to @chloep145 "@santosha Hi, It wasnt my body adjusting to the lower dose and it also wasnt prodromes...." + (show)

@chloep145 Hi
Thank you for the update!
I'm glad your consultant was able to help clarify what was happening and to hear those symptoms have disappeared now that you're back on your previous dose.
Happy to know you are feeling fine again!
Chris

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