1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

Have you taken levetiracetam (Keppra)?

Posted by Ryman @ryman, Aug 29, 2017

I have been prescribed Keppra for seizures. I have never actually had a seizure but the neurologist says that some of the weird things going on with me are related to seizures. I really don't get on well with meds and am concerned about this one. Has anyone else taken it? Thank you.

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Mentor
Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | Feb 1, 2023
In reply to @trishaitheisen "Good morning - I was on Keppra for seizures. My cause of seizures is a brain..." + (show)
@trishaitheisen

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.

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@trishaitheisen, Good Morning

The doctors who have treated me have always said that it is extremely important to take the medication at the same time every day. I have so put an alarm on my phone to remind me to take my medication and this has helped me a lot to be always taking them at the same time.
Indeed, it takes some time for the medication to be effective.
My vibrations to you to continue to have success with this medication.
Santosha

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Feb 1, 2023
In reply to @reine "Yes, I had other meds for years that did not help significantly or I couldn’t tolerate..." + (show)
@reine

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.

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@reine
Thank you @reine for sharing your experience.
It's always uplifting to hear about someone conquering their seizures. So glad the Keppra worked. for you
Congrats🎉,
Jake

REPLY
daguerrotype | @daguerrotype | 6 days ago
In reply to @trishaitheisen "Good morning - I was on Keppra for seizures. My cause of seizures is a brain..." + (show)
@trishaitheisen

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.

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Hi Trish

I recently developed what turned out to be absence seizures caused by metastatic melanoma causing 2 tumours in my frontal lobes. I was started on a bunch of meds, including dexamethasone (steroid) for the pressure on my brain, Keppra for the seizures and 2 anti BRAF protein (related to melanoma cells) cancer drugs - Dabrafenib & Trametinib; together known a Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT). These last 2 have a whole sheaf of known side-effects that can be so severe many people have to stop these SACT drugs and try another treatment approach. Fortunately I seem to be tolerating them (and the other drugs) very well.

I have been on them 11 weeks now and my review MRI head 4 weeks ago - showed the tumours had shrunk to half their size 2 months before. I had needed the Keppra increased from 500 mg bd (twice a day) to 750mg bd to stop my absences - which I had no prodromal warnings of and which lead to me dropping to the floor for a couple of minutes.

My oncologists say the my wife got me to A&E (or the ER) just in time as my tumours are Stage 4 and I would have been dead by now otherwise.

Some of my experiences may be relevant - others are more for an oncolgy discussion, but hope that helps.

As a retired mental health social worker I can recall some of the dreadful drugs the people with epilepsy used to be put on back in the 70s-80s - Keppra is wonderful for me.

Daguerrotype

REPLY
1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | 6 days ago

@daguerrotype
Are you having typical or atypical absences or are you having other types
of seizures like focal impaired?
Has the Kepprs stopped the seizures?
Take care,
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
daguerrotype | @daguerrotype | 5 days ago
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@daguerrotype Are you having typical or atypical absences or are you having other types of seizures..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@daguerrotype
Are you having typical or atypical absences or are you having other types
of seizures like focal impaired?
Has the Kepprs stopped the seizures?
Take care,
Jake

Jump to this post

Not sure what type I had/have and the Keppra has worked on 750 bd

REPLY
Mentor
Chris Gautier, Volunteer Mentor | @santosha | 4 days ago
In reply to @daguerrotype "Hi Trish I recently developed what turned out to be absence seizures caused by metastatic melanoma..." + (show)
@daguerrotype

Hi Trish

I recently developed what turned out to be absence seizures caused by metastatic melanoma causing 2 tumours in my frontal lobes. I was started on a bunch of meds, including dexamethasone (steroid) for the pressure on my brain, Keppra for the seizures and 2 anti BRAF protein (related to melanoma cells) cancer drugs - Dabrafenib & Trametinib; together known a Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT). These last 2 have a whole sheaf of known side-effects that can be so severe many people have to stop these SACT drugs and try another treatment approach. Fortunately I seem to be tolerating them (and the other drugs) very well.

I have been on them 11 weeks now and my review MRI head 4 weeks ago - showed the tumours had shrunk to half their size 2 months before. I had needed the Keppra increased from 500 mg bd (twice a day) to 750mg bd to stop my absences - which I had no prodromal warnings of and which lead to me dropping to the floor for a couple of minutes.

My oncologists say the my wife got me to A&E (or the ER) just in time as my tumours are Stage 4 and I would have been dead by now otherwise.

Some of my experiences may be relevant - others are more for an oncolgy discussion, but hope that helps.

As a retired mental health social worker I can recall some of the dreadful drugs the people with epilepsy used to be put on back in the 70s-80s - Keppra is wonderful for me.

Daguerrotype

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Hello @daguerrotype
Welcome to our group! Thank you for sharing your experience so openly.
It's so encouraging to hear that your treatment is working well - a 50% reduction in tumor size is significant progress, and it sounds like you and your medical team have found an effective combination. I'm also very glad to hear that Keppra is working well for you! It's been effective for me too, with manageable side effects. I've been seizure-free for 6 months now after trying 5 other AEDs that didn't work as well.
Have you experienced any side effects from Keppra? I'd be curious to hear about your experience with it.
Wishing you continued success with your treatment🤞🙏🙌
Chris

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