Have you taken levetiracetam (Keppra)?

Im transitioning off Keppra as of my discussion with my neurologist yesterday. My depression, anxiety, anger, etc. have been overwhelming. I wish I had been warned a while ago as I do have an underlying depression. If you have this problem, I recommend you talk with your neurologist and other providers to determine the best overall management of your conditions.

Placed on Keppra after ER > Inpatient in October: Seizure 1.5 hour involuntary muscle spasms.
(September 2019 had craniotomy and gamma knife to remove 3 melanoma metastases.)
1500 mg
Mood changes, depression, paranoia ramped up in about 3 weeks.
I am an optimist, big laugh ...there was no laughing during this time.
Isolated to keep my unchecked filters from saying anything upsetting to others.
On a schedule that is slowly transitioning to another drug.
Noticed a difference right away.

Know there are other choices if you have issues.

@bdpp
Hi there Barb,
I’ve had Epilepsy for 52 years. Did you have your first seizure in October? I guess you had a Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure or did it start out as a Focal to Bilateral Tonic-clonic Seizures (secondarily generalized) Sounds like you were in Status Epilepticus, did your doctor mention any of these terms? Have you only had the one seizure? Epilepsy is defined as two or more unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity. So your not a fan of Keppra. After a few weeks to a month or two most side effects either go away or diminish, although the mood issues for most of the people I know seem to stick around although a few people have told me it gets better. About a third of the people who take it have that side effect.
Remember if another seizure strikes your an optimist, lol. They get old mighty quick. I had a dear friend who was a Psychologist and one day he wrote and asked me “How many seizures are to many, I replied I thought the first one was too many. He died in Status Epilepticus so I don't have him to kick around anymore.
You take care of yourself and no more seizures.
Jake

Hi, @bdpp - although I do not have epilepsy, I can relate to isolating myself to keep my unchecked filters from saying anything upsetting to others from my previous transitions from one antidepressant to another, my first couple months on buproprion (Wellbutrin) as my body got used to it, and taking a 5-day course of prednisone 2-4 times per year for asthma flares.

You mentioned you noticed a difference right away as you begin your tapering and transition schedule to a new medication. What medication are you moving onto? Any side effects you've noticed from the new one?

@jdernburg - how is your transition off levetiracetam (Keppra) going? What medication will you be taking in its place?

How have the past few months gone, @davidinvegas ? Have you found a job, or are you working to get disability? I was 55 when I applied for it, and was approved the first time. There's a professional who does the whole approval process, and has a very high level of success. Let me know if you want information. As a rule, if an individual applies, it takes at least 3 times before approval.

I hope you're staying safe.

Jim

I took it and I found that I was feeling drowsy then neurologist changed it to Lamotrigine but no change in drowsiness after 4 months. It is affecting my lifestyle.
Don't know what to do. Like you I don't think I had Seizure but I passed out, my wife says I was fighting while going to hospital, there they found nothing with CT scan and MRI. I had appointment with neurologist today but I cancelled it did to COVID-19.
Good luck.

Hi, @indusnb1 - I can imagine how being tired all the time would for sure affect your lifestyle. It's possible @jakedduck1 may have some thoughts on the tiredness you are encountering with the medication. What does your doctor suggest, in light of this drowsiness you are finding with the anti-seizure medication?

I live in Maine. I have had "transient spells" since a heart stress test a month ago that was inconclusive. During spells my right leg or arm goes numb and is hard to move and my tongue feels weird for several minutes a number of times a day. I have stopped driving as a precaution. I was put on Keppra to control these symptoms about 10 days ago when an MRI showed microbleeds at the crown of my brain. The spells continue and worsen, however, and I am going to have an eeg to look for seizure activity. After an hour or so of depression and flu-like aches after the first doses I have experienced Keppra as having only calming and antidepressant effects that have been very helpful with the stress of a new diagnosis and all the uncertainty. I really do not know what type of CAA I have although my symptoms exactly correspond to "amyloid spells." I hope to be seen by experts in Boston.

Good morning - I was on Keppra for seizures. My cause of seizures is a brain tumor. I had 3-4 focal seizures a day on keppra. I switched to Briviact and Fycompa medication about 3 weeks ago. My focal seizures have decreased in frequency and intensity. Sometimes it takes a while for the medication to be effective and it is also a good idea to take the medication at the same time every day. That seems to work for me. I am sorry that you are going through this.

Yes, I had other meds for years that did not help significantly or I couldn’t tolerate them. My neurologist decided to try Levetiracetam, and it worked. I became my pre-seizure ever grateful self.