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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 charlenepan on Wed, 2008-05-07 - 23:08

Hi all! Im a first time mother and my baby girl is 4 months plus now. I have epilepsy ever since end of high school years and taking Keppra. I would call my epilepsy not as serious as it only happens when im sleeping at night if i do not take my medication.

When I found out i was pregnant last year, i was afraid for my baby for i was under medication (heard all the time that mothers should not take any medicine during preganancy) so i went to look for my doctor and he told me to stop taking it for two weeks to see whats the side effects. If nothing happens in that two weeks, i will not have to worry and can stop taking medication. But sadly my fit happened one day while i was sleeping and i went back to the doctor and his advice to me was to continue taking it. If i dont and my fits continue, it will be even worse for me and my baby for oxygen will not be able to go into the baby's brain whenever a fit occurs.

 So i continued on with my Keppra intake. My baby is 4 months + now and everything seems to be very good for her. We all call her a happy baby for she smiles and laughs alot. As for the future, i would not know but im leaving all to my God from Heaven.

 You know what...while i was pregnant, I prayed everyday and in my prayers i repeatedly said i'll leave my baby and my life in Your hands and please work in us, protect us, have mercy in us and bless us. And God indeed did answer my prayer. After birth, and after every check-ups, reports from doctors are all above normal no matter is it regarding her weight, health, and etc.

 As long as you believe in God and leave Him your life, He will take over and work in us. As long as you trust and have faith in Him, He will definitely continue as He plan smoothly. Did u all know that each and everyone of our lives, past-present-future are all already planned out properly by God and no one can change His plans. What we will have, money, wealth, health, happiness all are given by God. So to have God's plan go on smoothly, just give our life to God and trust in Him. And I can assure u satisfaction in life!!! Amen!

 love yourself, family, friends and God!

 God bless!!

 Charlene Pan

 

Hi all! Im a first time mother and my baby girl is 4 months plus now. I have epilepsy ever since end of high school years and taking Keppra. I would call my epilepsy not as serious as it only happens when im sleeping at night if i do not take my medication.

When I found out i was pregnant last year, i was afraid for my baby for i was under medication (heard all the time that mothers should not take any medicine during preganancy) so i went to look for my doctor and he told me to stop taking it for two weeks to see whats the side effects. If nothing happens in that two weeks, i will not have to worry and can stop taking medication. But sadly my fit happened one day while i was sleeping and i went back to the doctor and his advice to me was to continue taking it. If i dont and my fits continue, it will be even worse for me and my baby for oxygen will not be able to go into the baby's brain whenever a fit occurs.

 So i continued on with my Keppra intake. My baby is 4 months + now and everything seems to be very good for her. We all call her a happy baby for she smiles and laughs alot. As for the future, i would not know but im leaving all to my God from Heaven.

 You know what...while i was pregnant, I prayed everyday and in my prayers i repeatedly said i'll leave my baby and my life in Your hands and please work in us, protect us, have mercy in us and bless us. And God indeed did answer my prayer. After birth, and after every check-ups, reports from doctors are all above normal no matter is it regarding her weight, health, and etc.

 As long as you believe in God and leave Him your life, He will take over and work in us. As long as you trust and have faith in Him, He will definitely continue as He plan smoothly. Did u all know that each and everyone of our lives, past-present-future are all already planned out properly by God and no one can change His plans. What we will have, money, wealth, health, happiness all are given by God. So to have God's plan go on smoothly, just give our life to God and trust in Him. And I can assure u satisfaction in life!!! Amen!

 love yourself, family, friends and God!

 God bless!!

 Charlene Pan

 

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by angelacarwile on Thu, 2008-05-29 - 00:06
Thank you so much Charlene. You're an inspiration. My faith in God is all that has got me through this mess. I'm on 3000mg Keppra (SEVERE side effects) and my Dr just added 400mg Carbatrol and I've had great success... Seizure free for a month now..Woo Hoo!!! My boyfriend has grown children and his 18 year old daughter is now pregnant. When we first got together I told him how much I wanted to be a Mom and now b/c he's going to be a Grandpa, he doesn't want to even try. I have a few other chips stacked against me as far as getting pregnant; PCOS and Endometriosis. I want to be a Mom more than anything. I also love this man with all of my heart. How many men do you find that share in your beleifs, pray and go to church with you? Not many in my experience. We actually broke up a few weeks ago because I felt I didn't need to sacrifice being a Mommy if there is even a slight chance for me. We have since got back together because I decided that having such a small chance of conceiving is not worth the risk of losing him, but this still weighs heavy on my heart. He's so wonderful in every other way and now after reading about all of these successful pregnancies my hope is back. Just tonight he told me that he was thinking of getting a Vasectomy just to make sure. We both thought that the medication would be harmful to the fetus. Sorry to dump all of this on you, but I just ask that you please say a prayer for me and whatever happens let God's will be done. Thank you and God Bless all of you.

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by rose0527 on Mon, 2008-09-01 - 16:03

Hi Charlene!

I am 36 weeks along now, and your story has reassured me even more.  One question for you and other readers alike...

Have any of you breast fed while still taking your Keppra?  My neuro said baby gets a lot less through breast milk than she did through pregnancy and that it should be okay to do.

 Just wondering if anyone else has any advise.

Thanks and God Bless :)

Amy

Hi Charlene!

I am 36 weeks along now, and your story has reassured me even more.  One question for you and other readers alike...

Have any of you breast fed while still taking your Keppra?  My neuro said baby gets a lot less through breast milk than she did through pregnancy and that it should be okay to do.

 Just wondering if anyone else has any advise.

Thanks and God Bless :)

Amy

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