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On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Fri, 02/01/2008 - 19:06

Hi.  I am 23 years old and have been on 2000mg of Keppra a day for over three years.  I have also been seizure free ever since I started Keppra, and with no side effects.  I recently found out that I am pregnant with my first child.  I am ecstatic, but I can't help worrying about the unknown effects of Keppra on my baby.  My neuro is keeping me on the full dose for the duration of my pregnancy.  Other than taking extra good care of myself, does anyone have any advice?  Has anyone else gone through this that has a positive outcome?  A negative one?  I guess I am just searching for some sort of positive reinforcement to put my mind at ease a bit.  Thanks for reading.

Amy

Comments

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by rose0527 on Mon, 2008-05-19 - 18:58

Hi Bridget!  Congrats on your recent pregnancy.  I know how it feels to wonder if you are doing the right thing for your unborn child.  Be relieved that you are on Keppra as they say it is the safest med to be on during pregnancy.  I felt terrible taking my meds every day at first, thinking I was hurting my baby, but doing what the doctor said was best.  I have learned through my doctors, neuro and other supportive women that we have little to worry about.  Seeing those perfect little ultrasound pictures of our baby girl told me that I was doing the right thing.  Best wishes for a happy, healthy (and comfortable!) pregnancy.

Amy

Hi Bridget!  Congrats on your recent pregnancy.  I know how it feels to wonder if you are doing the right thing for your unborn child.  Be relieved that you are on Keppra as they say it is the safest med to be on during pregnancy.  I felt terrible taking my meds every day at first, thinking I was hurting my baby, but doing what the doctor said was best.  I have learned through my doctors, neuro and other supportive women that we have little to worry about.  Seeing those perfect little ultrasound pictures of our baby girl told me that I was doing the right thing.  Best wishes for a happy, healthy (and comfortable!) pregnancy.

Amy

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by rose0527 on Mon, 2008-05-19 - 18:47

Hi JF and other readers!  I had my 20 week ultrasound last week. I had a level 2 ultrasound, which is supposed to be more detailed and would be more apt to find anything wrong if there was something (i.e. cleft lip/palate, spina bifida, and other birth defects associated with anit-convulsants).  It took over an hour, but every last tiny part of her looked absolutely perfect.  Doc said that if there was anything being affected by my medication that it would have shown up on this ultrasound.  Thank God!  We are ecstatic that we are having a girl and that so far, she is perfectly healthy.  I have had much reassurance from the doctor that I have found in my area who has delivered plenty of babies with mothers on Keppra, and each of them have been perfectly healthy.  My neuro has been checking my levels frequently and they have not dropped yet, so I am still on 2000mg/day, but that could change at any time.  Good luck and God Bless!

 Amy

Hi JF and other readers!  I had my 20 week ultrasound last week. I had a level 2 ultrasound, which is supposed to be more detailed and would be more apt to find anything wrong if there was something (i.e. cleft lip/palate, spina bifida, and other birth defects associated with anit-convulsants).  It took over an hour, but every last tiny part of her looked absolutely perfect.  Doc said that if there was anything being affected by my medication that it would have shown up on this ultrasound.  Thank God!  We are ecstatic that we are having a girl and that so far, she is perfectly healthy.  I have had much reassurance from the doctor that I have found in my area who has delivered plenty of babies with mothers on Keppra, and each of them have been perfectly healthy.  My neuro has been checking my levels frequently and they have not dropped yet, so I am still on 2000mg/day, but that could change at any time.  Good luck and God Bless!

 Amy

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by galicia11 on Mon, 2008-07-21 - 10:27

Congrats Amy!

 Reading your posting made me feel so much better about my medication issues.  I am currently on depakote and I already tried lamictol (which didn't work).  He wants to try keppra next and your story has made me feel better about the decision.  What type of epilepsy do you have?  I have JME and I guess some medications don't control it as well as depakote.  Good Luck with your pregnancy!!!

 

Congrats Amy!

 Reading your posting made me feel so much better about my medication issues.  I am currently on depakote and I already tried lamictol (which didn't work).  He wants to try keppra next and your story has made me feel better about the decision.  What type of epilepsy do you have?  I have JME and I guess some medications don't control it as well as depakote.  Good Luck with your pregnancy!!!

 

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