Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

drowsinessworse with Keppra

Sun, 03/30/2008 - 23:51

Hi everyone- I am new to this forum and I hope somebody can give me some insight. I have been on dilantin for 26 years and now my new neurologist is having me switch to Keppra. I am still waiting for the results of my bone density scan. My biggest problem is the drowsiness and I haven't even started my full dose yet. I can barely make it through the day without caffeine in my system. I started drinking coffee the same year I started on dilantin because I couldn't stay awake in school. It didn't help that my first class of the day was physics!  Anyways, I have to drink twice as much coffee in order to function normally and I want to know if anyone has had side effects that persisted after going off there original medicine? Any advice in combating drowsiness while on AED? Thanks, nancy

Comments

Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra

Submitted by bethktada on Tue, 2009-11-10 - 04:18

Hello dear,

How long has it been since you were diagnosed with epilepsy? Your symptoms sound very much like my daughters. She was only just confirmed last week after developing symptoms in mid August. She's barely 18. She's been bounced through a variety of meds in addition to a 2 1/2 day stay in the hospital for constant EEG monitoring. At any rate, while adjusting to various meds, she's had quite a few breakthrough seizures that she is never aware of, until she realizes that she feels really sore. My concern is the feeling of lactic acid build ups that you are experiencing. Are they more apparent during certain times of the day? 

Best regards and wishes

MaTa-Dah!

Hello dear,

How long has it been since you were diagnosed with epilepsy? Your symptoms sound very much like my daughters. She was only just confirmed last week after developing symptoms in mid August. She's barely 18. She's been bounced through a variety of meds in addition to a 2 1/2 day stay in the hospital for constant EEG monitoring. At any rate, while adjusting to various meds, she's had quite a few breakthrough seizures that she is never aware of, until she realizes that she feels really sore. My concern is the feeling of lactic acid build ups that you are experiencing. Are they more apparent during certain times of the day? 

Best regards and wishes

MaTa-Dah!

Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra

Submitted by happygirl on Wed, 2008-04-02 - 23:46

 

Hi,

I can sympathise with your situation because I too am experiencing extreme drowsiness with Keppra. Today I ceased my midday dosage of 500mg but replaced that with a morning and evening dosage and am really struggling to get through the day. I am yet to find a AED that does not have side effects though and am now considering surgery as I really find that the effects of the AED is impacting too severely on my life.

Have you discussed the drowsiness with your doctor? With regards to the bone density, I was told that all AED's have an effect on bone density and therefore it is wise to supplement your diet with Vitamin D tablets. I was also told that too much caffeine was not a good idea and infect I should drop coffee from my diet all together.

Let me know how you go.

 

Hi,

I can sympathise with your situation because I too am experiencing extreme drowsiness with Keppra. Today I ceased my midday dosage of 500mg but replaced that with a morning and evening dosage and am really struggling to get through the day. I am yet to find a AED that does not have side effects though and am now considering surgery as I really find that the effects of the AED is impacting too severely on my life.

Have you discussed the drowsiness with your doctor? With regards to the bone density, I was told that all AED's have an effect on bone density and therefore it is wise to supplement your diet with Vitamin D tablets. I was also told that too much caffeine was not a good idea and infect I should drop coffee from my diet all together.

Let me know how you go.

Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra

Submitted by lucy9637 on Sat, 2008-04-12 - 12:42
Hello, I have the same problem.  I however take Zonegran, Lamictal & Keppra 1500 2x's a day.  I could sleep all the time.  Caffine...is a must for me too.  I have always read the side effects on the inserts & I suffer from the "not so serious" all fatigue & the Zonegran is a little confusion but the combination of the 3 are so draining.  It disrupts my sleep pattern enormously.  I'm tired all day & if I sleep than at night its like insomnia.  The doctor said that the medication is more of a benefit even with the side effects.

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.