I had to try another med (Vimpat generic) instead of Keppra. I simply could not function with the fatigue. The term “zombie” accurately describes how I felt. It is strange how different meds affect people differently, but the Keppra just wasn’t for me. I know changing meds can make someone apprehensive, but talk to physician and discuss this. Good bless and I pray your daughter finds help.

Thank you for your advice, yes she is a lot apprehensive about changing meds. She has gone a year with no seizures so she doesn’t want to move backwards and start all over again. She has an appointment with a new doctor in early April

Hi @lyhay1973
The process of getting the medication that best fits your daughter is a fine-tuned process that might require some patience and time. I had experienced 5 AED medications before finding the one that is the best for me and my epilepsy. As @baa has well mentioned, changing medications might get us apprehensive, but better to try other medications than to live with this "zombie" side-effect (BTW, I had this with Vimpat, everyone reacts differently to those medications). Ah one important thing, the doctor that has finally found a medication that best suits me is nowadays my epileptologist. I have observed a great difference in the treatment of my epilepsy by an epileptologist versus a neurologist.
All the best to your daughter!
Santosha

Thank you for your advice. The 1st and only doctor we have seen so far has been a neurologist. I wasn’t a fan of her to begin with. I just wasn’t happy with her demeanor and her quick response to dismiss any treatment she didn’t prescribe meds for. We did bring up the extreme fatigue we were just dismissed and said that’s okay it’s the only side effect you are having. My daughter has some anxiety nothing crazy was a gymnast we used CBD to help with the recovery of her extreme workout regimen, and it help with her anxiety especially during competition time. The doctor wanted us to stop using that, as she didn’t like it and wanted to put my daughter on more medications. My oldest daughter who is a nurse, met the 1st neurologist for my youngest daughter last appointment with her. We found the 1st neurologist wasn’t a very good at treating seizure disorders. She never ordered blood work ever not even after she put my daughter on medications. After her 2nd Seizure we found that the 500mg was too low as the ER ran blood work. I had to demand the Dr order follow up blood with to make sure the 750mg was in good range. At her last check up the neurologist didn’t want to run blood work again. Even though our primary care Dr said it should be done every 6 months. The neurologist told my daughter it wasn’t her job to order the blood work and monitor the range. My oldest daughter at that point told the Neurologist she was an ER Nurse and it was 100% her job to order blood work to watch the range of her patient she put on medication. The 2nd round of blood work was finally ordered only because we had to fight for that as well. It just hasn’t been a good process for us so far. We are thankful and happy my youngest daughter hasn’t had a seizure in over a year. We see a new neurologist in April and I would like to help my daughter with this fatigue she has and not feel like a zombie and struggle through college and work.

Hi @smokry777

Great to know that after your brain surgery on your left hippocampus, you do not have seizures anymore and do tolerate well Keppra. I am very happy for you!!! I assume you also have temporal lobe epilepsy like me. I do also have a lesion on the left side of my hippocampus.
Would you mind sharing how you are feeling in cognitive terms after this surgery? How has it affected your memory? Was your surgery a traditional surgery opening the skull or a laser surgery (LITT)?
Thank you so much!
Santosha

Good Morning @smokry777
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!!!
One thing that I still do not understand well in such surgery, why does the patient still need to continue with his or her AED after the surgery as the lesion that caused the seizures is removed? Did the doctors tell you that you will be free of Keppra in some time?
Thank you again.
Have a nice day :-)!
Santosha

Good Evening @smokry777
Thank you so much again for the information you have shared with us.
I wish you a nice week!
Santosha

May not be the right med for her. I would call the doctor. I personally didn't have an issue with Keppra but I have with others. Everyone is different. Side effects sometimes go away after a short time. Just talk to the doc first and she will have to he weened down slowly and maybe start another medication. I hope she feels better.

You get it and will continue on, just stay focused and remember what you are trying to accomplish. If you don't like the effects of a medication find something else. Just like your career change, enjoy it. Thumbs up for you.
Brad

Hi @chercairns
I am very sorry about your sister. I can not help you much with Keppra as I have not taken it. But I am sure others will be able to help you with that.
As to signing up for Mayo Clinic Connect, on this page you can choose in which groups you want to participate.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/#ch-login-form
Did I answer your questions regarding signing up? If not, feel free to contact me.
Santosha