1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

Help with side effects of Keppra

Posted by lyhay1973 @lyhay1973, Mar 14, 2023

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to help deal with side effects of Keppra? My daughter was diagnosed with seizure disorder over a year ago. She was put on Keppra at 500mg twice a day. 4 months later she had another seizure the doctors upped her to 750mg twice a day. Since then she has been seizure free for over a year now. But she has been battling fatigue due to the medication. Some days are better than others, she said at times she feels like a zombie. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience this and if there was a way to counter act the side effect.

Thank you
Lisa

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Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Mar 21, 2023
In reply to @smokry777 "Santosha Had my first aura when I was 8 almost 9 years old. I was getting..." + (show)
@smokry777

Santosha
Had my first aura when I was 8 almost 9 years old. I was getting dressed for school and I saw a cartoon on the TV, only the TV we had was not in my room, so what my mind was telling me was happening wasn't real. Went to the Dr and found out what I had and that he wasn't going to prescribe me anything then because the brain is still growing. Also there were very few meds at that time. I didn't then very often either. Never affected my school, sports, college or professional life, even after my operation and didn't retire until I was 67. Just hope you can find a great solution. Good luck and thanks for the feed back.

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Thank you for your kind words @smokry777
My first experience with seizures was the same as yours. I always said to my mother when the aura came that started that the movie was about to start, feeling some weird smell and taste in my mouth. As you said this movie was only in my mind.
I am very happy to hear that it has never affected your studies, professional life and sports. Fingers crossed to continue this way!!!!
I did my studies, had a professional corp life and practiced many sports, some of them even professionally (like sailing). But in 2016/2017, things started to change. But I must confess, I have abused, I was quite a workaholic at that time. I hope to be back to work one day. Going back to my previous professional activity I feel is no longer possible, because it requires much of my memory which has been affected. But I see other possibilities and I am about to start some studies this coming April to be able to do this career change. Enjoying it 🙂
Let's keep in touch!
Santosha (BTW Santosha means contentment, my real name is Christine or just Chris)

REPLY
smokry777 | @smokry777 | Mar 21, 2023

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

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1 reply
Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Mar 22, 2023
In reply to @smokry777 "You get it and will continue on, just stay focused and remember what you are trying..." + (show)
@smokry777

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

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Thank you for those encouraging words, Brad!!!
As I have shared her with the group, my epilepsy has also brought positive experiences into my life. I have learned so much!!! Here is the link, in case you are interested.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/positive-experiences-through-epilepsy/
Have a good day!
Santosha

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chercairns | @chercairns | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @smokry777 "Great question. After surgery they had me at 3000mg/day and said I would be taking it..." + (show)
@smokry777

Great question. After surgery they had me at 3000mg/day and said I would be taking it for the rest of my life. After a year we started to decrease my dosage. It takes awhile to go lower, about 8weeks at 250mg per drop. If I remember correctly it takes about 4 weeks to be out of your system. Then you have to stay free of seizures. It takes time to find the right dosage level you can tolerate, a total withdrawal 1-2-3 just because you think you can, is not a safe way. Your body doesn't work that way. Everyone is different and if you are lucky maybe you can get completely off, time will tell. Listen to your Dr. Your second question, yes. Fine with me, I don't have seizures anymore.

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@smokry777 can you tell me if Keppra made you have highs and lows to the extreme? My sister started to take it because she had one seizure in 28 years. I really don’t think she needs it. Was on 500 mg I finally convinced her Dr to lower it in have. One minute she’s as happy as can be the next very irritated. She’s mentally delayed so hard for her to explain what she feels like. She also has been forgetting things which was one thing about her was her great memory. I don’t know how to sign up on here. Maybe you could help me. My name is Cher Cairns thank you 😊

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1 reply
smokry777 | @smokry777 | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @chercairns "@smokry777 can you tell me if Keppra made you have highs and lows to the extreme?..." + (show)
@chercairns

@smokry777 can you tell me if Keppra made you have highs and lows to the extreme? My sister started to take it because she had one seizure in 28 years. I really don’t think she needs it. Was on 500 mg I finally convinced her Dr to lower it in have. One minute she’s as happy as can be the next very irritated. She’s mentally delayed so hard for her to explain what she feels like. She also has been forgetting things which was one thing about her was her great memory. I don’t know how to sign up on here. Maybe you could help me. My name is Cher Cairns thank you 😊

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Only 1 seizure in 28 years? What type of epilepsy does she have? Is medication really needed. How old is she and does she have any other medical conditions? I need more information in order to try to answer your questions. Thanks, Brad

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Chris Gautier OR Santosha | @santosha | Mar 27, 2023

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

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salpal01 | @salpal01 | Mar 29, 2023

Keppra can interfer with your potassium levels. I had a blood test done and my levels were really low so I was put onto a potassium supplement and I feel brilliant.It took about a month to work but it has changed my life. I also suffer fron tinnitus.How do I get rid of that?

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