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drowsinessworse with Keppra
Sun, 03/30/2008 - 23:51Hi 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 nleather on Sat, 2008-04-12 - 22:08
Thanks for everybody's response. I was on Keppra for almost a month and then my neurologist switched me to trileptal. What a huge difference! The side effects that I feel from these two drugs is like night and day. It got to the point that I could barely function even with all the coffee and power drinks I was consuming. It was just not a quality life. I think there may have been some paranoia too and that messed with my head a little bit.
Anyways, so far so good with the trileptal and I hope it stays that way.
Hopefully my bone density test will be normal. I will definately discuss with my doctor about taking vitamin D and folic acid supplements.
Thanks for everybody's response. I was on Keppra for almost a month and then my neurologist switched me to trileptal. What a huge difference! The side effects that I feel from these two drugs is like night and day. It got to the point that I could barely function even with all the coffee and power drinks I was consuming. It was just not a quality life. I think there may have been some paranoia too and that messed with my head a little bit.
Anyways, so far so good with the trileptal and I hope it stays that way.
Hopefully my bone density test will be normal. I will definately discuss with my doctor about taking vitamin D and folic acid supplements.
Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra
Submitted by Cathie48 on Sun, 2009-01-11 - 10:36
I am 60 years old and diagnosed with seizures 2 months ago after being found unconcious in a parking lot. I have had a number of falls in the last year that my old PCP and a teaching hospital ER blew off----"be more careful"; who's beating you up"; "too much stress in your life" etc, etc. After being taken to a different hospital by ambulance, they did a complete workup and discovered seizures (No answer as to why at my age yet)
Long story short: Kepra has put me on my _ _ _. At 750 mg twice per day I feel fine (no seizures that I know about) but when increased to 750/1000, I sleep 12 hours a day and could sleep more if possible. I also get unsteady and have to use a cane so that I don't fall.
I am widowed and must work every day. It's really hard. Caffeine hasn't helped. Doctor thinks I'll get used to it. HAs anybody gotten used to it. If so, how? and how long did it take?
Cathie
I am 60 years old and diagnosed with seizures 2 months ago after being found unconcious in a parking lot. I have had a number of falls in the last year that my old PCP and a teaching hospital ER blew off----"be more careful"; who's beating you up"; "too much stress in your life" etc, etc. After being taken to a different hospital by ambulance, they did a complete workup and discovered seizures (No answer as to why at my age yet)
Long story short: Kepra has put me on my _ _ _. At 750 mg twice per day I feel fine (no seizures that I know about) but when increased to 750/1000, I sleep 12 hours a day and could sleep more if possible. I also get unsteady and have to use a cane so that I don't fall.
I am widowed and must work every day. It's really hard. Caffeine hasn't helped. Doctor thinks I'll get used to it. HAs anybody gotten used to it. If so, how? and how long did it take?
Cathie
Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra
Submitted by quarky10 on Mon, 2011-06-06 - 12:25
I take most of the same meds as you. In addition to Zonegran Lamictal and Keppra, I also take Lyrica and Lorazepam. I am the same way I am always tired. I fall asleep at work. Thank god my boss uderstand. I have to stay late to get my job done. I do not get to play with my kids because when I am home I am napping. No matter how much caffiinie I have it doesn't help. My doc actually tried putting my on provigil in the morning and that did not help. My balance is all off I cannot even ride a bike. My vision gets blurry at times. I tell my doc and he says we will wait and see. I am afraid my vision is going bad and I will fall and really hurt myself. I have already fallen once in the shower and broke my pinky. I do not know what to do. I ahve been on Keppra for a couple of years and my seizurse are still not under control.