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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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures group.

Ryman | @ryman | Aug 30, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,what do you get that related to seizures,as for the keppra not gonna brag about it..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,what do you get that related to seizures,as for the keppra not gonna brag about it ,three grnd mals in a month but atleast no bad migranes after the seizure so far small head aches.The was one of main things withdilantin,badheadaches lasted for days.

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Oh, I get weird things like tingling thru my body, seeing and smelling things that aren’t there, vision problems. I guess I will try the keppra eventually. I am debating when to start as I will be out of town, out of state, actually till next week.

REPLY
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Aug 30, 2017
In reply to @dawn_giacabazi "Hi @ryman I have was on keppra for 12 years. Not for sure if you know..." + (show)
@dawn_giacabazi

Hi @ryman
I have was on keppra for 12 years. Not for sure if you know but it is used to treat a variety of different types of seizures. One of which are partial seizures which based on your original post might be what you are having.

I can tell you from my experience the most common side effects are
drowsiness,
weakness,
loss of appetite,
stuffy nose,
tiredness, and
dizziness.

Just like every single medication or vitamin or minerals, everything in moderation. It will be very important to know the possible side effects and to report any negative effects to your md immediately. I have a difficult time with medications in general and usually have negative side effects but I was able to tolerate this drug very successfully. The only reason we discontinued the medication was because I have 3 different types of seizures and found 1 drug that controls all of them without taking other medications.

Prayers you will tolerate it well.
Dawn

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@ryman I think you should ask your md for that advice. If it were me, I would start it but I would not drive until you know how you will react. Never drive when starting any medication that may alter your alertness.

If you are the driver for this trip please call your md to let them know if you are going to wait on the medication.

You are asking all the same questions I asked when I first started on any of my antiepileptic medications.

Good luck
Dawn

REPLY
robertjr | @robertjr | Sep 4, 2017

ryman,hope youget on something soon,i have been on some type ofmed for grandmals since i was 5 Had a lot of sides through the years,but a few side s area better thanthe g.randmal seizure and migranes and memory loss and all theother stuff from a seizure,convultion so strong still have trouble walking a week later.

REPLY
2 replies
robertjr | @robertjr | Sep 6, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For some reasons my dilantin level has gone to toxic levels ,3 tjmes in a year.few months ago ended up in hospital finally brough level down again,went to see a neurologist afterwards,now on keppra,,toldlot cleaner than dilantin.In one month sincehad 3 grandmals with keppra,all three no warning.with my poor health now,have severe copd,had lungcancer in 2014,inremission.,haveing a mri onmy head next month,checking for cancerin head,.I just hope the keppra helps my seizures,besides thefact the seizures affect all of me for days now,especially breathing and severe headaches,im63 now,cant handle waking up in a mess on thefloor or ground notknowing whats going on .

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had number four with keppra this morning,fourth grandmal ina month ,the keppra a lot easier to get back onfeet afterwards but sofar doesnt seem to be ,stopping the seizures,having mri done today.

REPLY
robertjr | @robertjr | Sep 6, 2017
In reply to @ryman "I have to pick it up tomorrow. I see it has some weird side effects. I..." + (show)
@ryman

I have to pick it up tomorrow. I see it has some weird side effects. I have problems with most, usually cannot tolerate them. I was just wondering about other people’s experiences with Keira. Thank you for moving my post.

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bonnieh218,been on generic keppra for a month,before that was on dilantinfor 30 years,had lotsof side s and tookme about 3 days after a seizure to recover.at least the keppra isnt thatbad,only thing is went over 4 years seizurefree with dilantin since keppra 4 grand mals 1month..

REPLY
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Sep 6, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For some reasons my dilantin level has gone to toxic levels ,3 tjmes in a year.few months ago ended up in hospital finally brough level down again,went to see a neurologist afterwards,now on keppra,,toldlot cleaner than dilantin.In one month sincehad 3 grandmals with keppra,all three no warning.with my poor health now,have severe copd,had lungcancer in 2014,inremission.,haveing a mri onmy head next month,checking for cancerin head,.I just hope the keppra helps my seizures,besides thefact the seizures affect all of me for days now,especially breathing and severe headaches,im63 now,cant handle waking up in a mess on thefloor or ground notknowing whats going on .

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@roberyjr
Have you been through the Seizure clinic at Mayo Clinic?? This is where we were finally able to pin point the exact causes and triggers and finally get on the right medication to treat my multi level complex seizures. I now just take 900mg of Trileptal 3 x a day. It’s been truly a blessing.

Here is a link if you are interested in learning more about the department. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/diagnosis-treatment/mayo-clinic-experience-patient-stories/orc-20117254

Peace
Dawn

REPLY
bonnieh218 | @bonnieh218 | Sep 6, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For some reasons my dilantin level has gone to toxic levels ,3 tjmes in a year.few months ago ended up in hospital finally brough level down again,went to see a neurologist afterwards,now on keppra,,toldlot cleaner than dilantin.In one month sincehad 3 grandmals with keppra,all three no warning.with my poor health now,have severe copd,had lungcancer in 2014,inremission.,haveing a mri onmy head next month,checking for cancerin head,.I just hope the keppra helps my seizures,besides thefact the seizures affect all of me for days now,especially breathing and severe headaches,im63 now,cant handle waking up in a mess on thefloor or ground notknowing whats going on .

Jump to this post

I agree with Dawn. That’s where I found my answer also.

REPLY
robertjr | @robertjr | Sep 6, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For some reasons my dilantin level has gone to toxic levels ,3 tjmes in a year.few months ago ended up in hospital finally brough level down again,went to see a neurologist afterwards,now on keppra,,toldlot cleaner than dilantin.In one month sincehad 3 grandmals with keppra,all three no warning.with my poor health now,have severe copd,had lungcancer in 2014,inremission.,haveing a mri onmy head next month,checking for cancerin head,.I just hope the keppra helps my seizures,besides thefact the seizures affect all of me for days now,especially breathing and severe headaches,im63 now,cant handle waking up in a mess on thefloor or ground notknowing whats going on .

Jump to this post

thanks Dawn,right now had mri done today and put on3000 of keppra per day,if that doesnt work he will try something else.Just what i didnt want,musical chairs with tonic clonic meds,seizures starting to take a toll on me,

REPLY
Dawn, Alumni Mentor | @dawn_giacabazi | Sep 6, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For some reasons my dilantin level has gone to toxic levels ,3 tjmes in a year.few months ago ended up in hospital finally brough level down again,went to see a neurologist afterwards,now on keppra,,toldlot cleaner than dilantin.In one month sincehad 3 grandmals with keppra,all three no warning.with my poor health now,have severe copd,had lungcancer in 2014,inremission.,haveing a mri onmy head next month,checking for cancerin head,.I just hope the keppra helps my seizures,besides thefact the seizures affect all of me for days now,especially breathing and severe headaches,im63 now,cant handle waking up in a mess on thefloor or ground notknowing whats going on .

Jump to this post

Prayers things settle down very soon!!

Thank
Dawn

REPLY
robertjr | @robertjr | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @robertjr "ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For..." + (show)
@robertjr

ryman,Ive taken meds since i was five,for last 30 plus years on dilantin.have grand mal,tonic clonic,seizures.For some reasons my dilantin level has gone to toxic levels ,3 tjmes in a year.few months ago ended up in hospital finally brough level down again,went to see a neurologist afterwards,now on keppra,,toldlot cleaner than dilantin.In one month sincehad 3 grandmals with keppra,all three no warning.with my poor health now,have severe copd,had lungcancer in 2014,inremission.,haveing a mri onmy head next month,checking for cancerin head,.I just hope the keppra helps my seizures,besides thefact the seizures affect all of me for days now,especially breathing and severe headaches,im63 now,cant handle waking up in a mess on thefloor or ground notknowing whats going on .

Jump to this post

Dawn never been to Mayo clinic,,have heard good things,right now having problems with medicine.,spent time in hospital lowering dilantin level for third time in a year went toxic all of a sudden again.seeing neurologist in deleware now on keppra.Trouble is ive had grand mals since 5 but had been doing pretty good for awhile,except i now have severe copd and ostioperosis and the 4 seizures last month using keppra really take alot outof me..Im 63 now and each seizure just gets harder and takes more out of me.thats why im looking around,nd as of now cant just jump in car and drive somewhere .my wife does most driving but cant exspect her to chaufer me around.Been able to survive so far but feel like imloseing the battle.

REPLY
Lisa | @techi | Oct 29, 2017

Yes l have taken keppra, l had several diagnoses about seizure with the last one non-epileptic seizure. I was passing out and have been unconscious for seconds to as long as days unconscious the doctors don’t know the cause so l said to myself if they don’t think it’s seizures l might have well stop taking all these drugs. I had another seizure medicine and l took myself off that one also. Now maybe that’s not what you should do but that’s me so don’t do the same but l found out l am thinking clearly and not as tired. Now l was.on 8 prescribed medicines, 3 natural meds and 1 eye drop, and 1 liquid med. I feel l was a drug addict. So if l was you l would ask my doctor why you are taking it if you.dont need it. Because sometimes it will affect another part of your body. You are your own advocate and sometimes we are taking meds we don’t need. God luck

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1 reply
bab511 | @bab511 | Nov 13, 2017

I just started taking Keppra about a month ago. I suffered a couple small seizures one day on vacation and the next day had a full-blown seizure driving home (luckily I was the passenger) where I stopped breathing and passed out. I was in the hospital for a couple of days, have had numerous tests and they can’t figure out why. I haven’t felt “normal” since and feel quite alone dealing with my feelings about it. My poor bf was with me when I had the seizure, had to pull over and call 911 and was scared beyond belief and doesn’t really want to discuss it which I can understand. Not sure when I’m feeling the “Blues” if it’s a side affect of the Keppra or just not knowing why and if it will happen again. Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

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