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

Hi, @chloep145, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Good to hear you have been seizure-free for a year or two.

I believe you said that this tapering down in your seizure medications is being supervised/directed by your doctor (I believe that is what you meant by a consultant?)? Wondering if you've had the chance to mention the symptoms you talked about - feeling off and not yourself, slight bad head and slightly more sensitive to light - to them? If so, what did they suggest you do?

Hi, @chloep145, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Good to hear you have been seizure-free for a year or two.

I believe you said that this tapering down in your seizure medications is being supervised/directed by your doctor (I believe that is what you meant by a consultant?)? Wondering if you've had the chance to mention the symptoms you talked about - feeling off and not yourself, slight bad head and slightly more sensitive to light - to them? If so, what did they suggest you do?

@lisalucier Hi, by consultant i meant the epilepsy consultant/doctor at the hospital. I havent mentioned it to them as i dont have a appointment yet until next week Wednesday.

Hi @chloep145
I'm also on Keppra, but combined with pure CBD,
I started taking Keppra last December after a severe seizure, initially 500 mg twice a day. My doctor has gradually reduced my dose to 15 ml twice a day - very similar to your dosage!
During my Keppra reduction, I didn't experience any withdrawal symptoms. Actually, I felt better as some of the side effects eased up! But everyone's experience is different, so your symptoms could definitely be related to the medication dose reduction.
I'm wondering - are these symptoms similar to what you felt before having a seizure in the past? Or are they completely new sensations for you?
I'm really glad you're seeing your doctor next Wednesday! Definitely bring all of this up to him or her so that he or she can figure out what's going on.
Chris

@santosha Hi, these arent new sensations to me i have had these before. At first i was worried and kind of panicking convincing myself it was a seizure but turned out it wasnt. This could just be my anxiety making me overthink it but i just really dont want another seizure.

Hi @chloep145
Thank you for sharing this with me.
The sensations you're experiencing might be what are technically known as prodromes.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation:
"Some people may experience feelings, sensations, or changes in behavior hours or days before a seizure. These feelings are generally not part of the seizure, but may warn a person that a seizure may come. Not everyone has these signs, but if they do, the signs can help a person change their activity, make sure to take their medication, use a rescue treatment, and take steps to prevent injury."
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/understanding-seizures/what-happens-during-seizure
I've experienced prodromes myself during my epilepsy journey. They're strange sensations that are quite hard to describe. They can occur from a few minutes to 1-2 days before a seizure.
When I notice these sensations, I immediately stop what I'm doing and find a safe place to sit down. Then I put into practice some techniques I've learned through the Andrews-Reiter approach, a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment program for epilepsy.
Have you been experiencing these sensations more frequently now that you're reducing your medication compared to before?
What do you typically do when these sensations appear?
Have a nice weekend!
Chris

Hi @chloep145
Thank you for sharing this with me.
The sensations you're experiencing might be what are technically known as prodromes.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation:
"Some people may experience feelings, sensations, or changes in behavior hours or days before a seizure. These feelings are generally not part of the seizure, but may warn a person that a seizure may come. Not everyone has these signs, but if they do, the signs can help a person change their activity, make sure to take their medication, use a rescue treatment, and take steps to prevent injury."
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/understanding-seizures/what-happens-during-seizure
I've experienced prodromes myself during my epilepsy journey. They're strange sensations that are quite hard to describe. They can occur from a few minutes to 1-2 days before a seizure.
When I notice these sensations, I immediately stop what I'm doing and find a safe place to sit down. Then I put into practice some techniques I've learned through the Andrews-Reiter approach, a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment program for epilepsy.
Have you been experiencing these sensations more frequently now that you're reducing your medication compared to before?
What do you typically do when these sensations appear?
Have a nice weekend!
Chris

@santosha Hi, i wasn’t experiencing this until a week or so after i started reducing the meds and i havent really ever experienced prodromes

I understand your situation better now, @chloep145.
Your seizure threshold has likely changed with your medication reduction. Your doctor may want to do a new EEG to assess these changes.
In the meantime, try to manage your seizure triggers as best you can—be gentle with yourself and prioritize rest when needed.
Looking forward to hearing from you again after your doctor's appointment.
Have a peaceful weekend!
Chris