Anyone taking Keppra for seizures?

Posted by motobee @motobee, Jul 12, 2024

Anyone else on Keppra for seizures? 'I take it twice a day and so far no negative reactions.

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

I was put on Keppra because I had a diabetic seizure. Never had one before but my blood sugar has never been that high. I was taken off of Metformin due to upcoming cataract surgery and another doctor put me on prednisone because of a lung infection. Therefore my blood sugar spiked. Getting my blood sugar down but this 500 mg 2x day Keppra is giving me fits. Sleepiness, fatigue, backache, hard to walk. Neurologist is putting me on Keppra XR 750 1x day. Looks like it had the same side effects. Your thoughts

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Have you seen an endocrinologist? Do you use a Dexom continuous glucose monitor? My wife has been type 1 diabetic for 60 years, she's had a few bad seizures caused by low blood sugar. Her "secret" to avoiding seizures is blood sugar control through diet and physical activity. I fail to see how Keepra helps.

You don't have a seizure disorder, you may have a poor medical advice disorder. I suggest you get a second opinion. Keep in mind, suddenly stopping seziure medication can bring on a seizure regardless of why you've been taking it.

BTW, I take Keepra for epilepsy, that medication can be challenging. my advice is to avoid it if at all possible.

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@tonyde

Have you seen an endocrinologist? Do you use a Dexom continuous glucose monitor? My wife has been type 1 diabetic for 60 years, she's had a few bad seizures caused by low blood sugar. Her "secret" to avoiding seizures is blood sugar control through diet and physical activity. I fail to see how Keepra helps.

You don't have a seizure disorder, you may have a poor medical advice disorder. I suggest you get a second opinion. Keep in mind, suddenly stopping seziure medication can bring on a seizure regardless of why you've been taking it.

BTW, I take Keepra for epilepsy, that medication can be challenging. my advice is to avoid it if at all possible.

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Thank you , First time on Keppra for a tonic colonic seizure from out of no where... Please tell me what you mean by taking Keppra can be challenging ???? If I went off it I might have another seizure..

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@royanthony

Yes. I have had to work with my GP who's prescribed Zolpidem ER, which is not as good as the name brand, Ambien. Insurance won't cover the cost. I've added an over the counter melatonin chewable tablet to the Zolpidem and that has worked great. Fast REM sleep, but I get only a maximum 6 hours and then I wake up, eat breakfast and go back to sleep for a couple hours. I really want off of the prescription med.

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I take Zopiclone for sleep--- it that different than what you take... the brand name is Imovane.
Do you recommend my taking a melatonin chewable along with my Imovane as you say it helps a bit more.I know what you mean about prescription meds. but what else can we do when issues arise..??? thanks.

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@motobee

I take Zopiclone for sleep--- it that different than what you take... the brand name is Imovane.
Do you recommend my taking a melatonin chewable along with my Imovane as you say it helps a bit more.I know what you mean about prescription meds. but what else can we do when issues arise..??? thanks.

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I take ZolpidemXR which is the generic of Ambien with the 1 chewable. Sorry, but I'm not a doctor and I can't recommend even a chewable type thing. There may be something in the chewable that may conflict with your particular medication. I appreciate your confidence in me to even ask my opinion. Very nice. Feel free to ask any further questions.

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@royanthony

I take ZolpidemXR which is the generic of Ambien with the 1 chewable. Sorry, but I'm not a doctor and I can't recommend even a chewable type thing. There may be something in the chewable that may conflict with your particular medication. I appreciate your confidence in me to even ask my opinion. Very nice. Feel free to ask any further questions.

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Of course you're right... thanks for returning my message. I will ask my Dr. ..

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I tried to take it twice but it turned me into the hulk. Raged and angry. Mad for no reason. Finding the right drugs is like a game.

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@motobee

Thank you , First time on Keppra for a tonic colonic seizure from out of no where... Please tell me what you mean by taking Keppra can be challenging ???? If I went off it I might have another seizure..

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You should never suddenly stop any seizure drug without first consulting with the person or prescribed it. All medications have side effects and Keepra is no diffeent, you can check those online. I was sleeping 12 hours a day when I first started Keepra and was exhausted all the time. Things slowly got better over the last several months, my sleep pattern has normalized. I still have nights where I sleep too long or tired all day. Seizure meds have helped me, Keepra more than others, but none elimnated my seizures. My neurologist has referred me to USF for brain mapping.

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@steph81

I tried to take it twice but it turned me into the hulk. Raged and angry. Mad for no reason. Finding the right drugs is like a game.

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Being raged and angry is not uncommon for Keppra. This can be researched easily. The term I've always heard is "Keppra Rage" I don't think I've experienced such.

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Hi @baa
I have not heard from you for a while. How have you been doing?
Kind regards,
Chris (@santosha)

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