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.
How Long to Feel the Side Effects of Keppra?
Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:57Comments
Re: How Long to Feel the Side Effects of Keppra?
Submitted by TW on Fri, 2008-12-05 - 15:31
I am a 52 year old male with trauma related E. Started when I was 17. My story is not aweful (four TC seizures in 35 years). Since going on Dilantin, the only time that I have had a problem is when my Dilantin was messed with...25 years ago a Neurologist decided that my Dilantin was too high and reduced me by 100 mg. After 10 days I had a seizure not 20 minutes after driving myself home from an appointment. Scary! Believe it or not, a week after having a that seizure I went kayaking down the Klamath River in southern Oregon (not too bright).
Fast forward to the present...I had my last TC seizure last week (first in 25 years). I was seated at my computer at the time, so injuries were minimal, but I'm still recovering. Lets just say that I enjoy drinking fine wine, and have managed to get by without having to pay a price, until last week that is. I took the week off and celebrated by having a bottle of wine with dinner two nights in a row...ooops. Guess I can't do that any more. Following my seizure last week my PCP was advised by a Neurologist to add 1,000 mg of Keppra/day to my ~400 mg/day of Dilantin. For four days I struggled with flu-like symptoms and exhaustion, until I decided that enough was enough and I cut the dosage back to 500 mg/day...no more adverse symptoms! Not that I would recommend that anyone else do this. Oh, I have no appitite with the 500 mg of Keppra (it's going on 3 pm and I haven't eaten all day...I better get downstairs to the kitchen).
Dilantin has been a blessing and a curse for me. No problems with the gums or liver, but the unstable blood levels plauged me for nearly 20 years (that's right 20 years) until I got sick and tired of it and went for blood level readings nearly every day for three weeks. I watched 400 mg/day turn into a toxic reading of 25-30+ within a couple of days; then I cut back to 300 mg/day for two or three days and watched my level dwindle to an untheraputic 12-14. So I devised a regiment of one day at 400 mg, another at 300 mg, followed by two days at 400 mg, then back to 300 mg followed by 400 mg. I pay close attention to my body and try to get plenty of rest. And it appears to work...as long as I don't run down to the cellar. Oh, there is some neuropathy...anyone experience this?
If anyone wants to contact me with follow up questions or comments, my email address is tom_date301@yahoo.com
God bless and be well.
TW
I am a 52 year old male with trauma related E. Started when I was 17. My story is not aweful (four TC seizures in 35 years). Since going on Dilantin, the only time that I have had a problem is when my Dilantin was messed with...25 years ago a Neurologist decided that my Dilantin was too high and reduced me by 100 mg. After 10 days I had a seizure not 20 minutes after driving myself home from an appointment. Scary! Believe it or not, a week after having a that seizure I went kayaking down the Klamath River in southern Oregon (not too bright).
Fast forward to the present...I had my last TC seizure last week (first in 25 years). I was seated at my computer at the time, so injuries were minimal, but I'm still recovering. Lets just say that I enjoy drinking fine wine, and have managed to get by without having to pay a price, until last week that is. I took the week off and celebrated by having a bottle of wine with dinner two nights in a row...ooops. Guess I can't do that any more. Following my seizure last week my PCP was advised by a Neurologist to add 1,000 mg of Keppra/day to my ~400 mg/day of Dilantin. For four days I struggled with flu-like symptoms and exhaustion, until I decided that enough was enough and I cut the dosage back to 500 mg/day...no more adverse symptoms! Not that I would recommend that anyone else do this. Oh, I have no appitite with the 500 mg of Keppra (it's going on 3 pm and I haven't eaten all day...I better get downstairs to the kitchen).
Dilantin has been a blessing and a curse for me. No problems with the gums or liver, but the unstable blood levels plauged me for nearly 20 years (that's right 20 years) until I got sick and tired of it and went for blood level readings nearly every day for three weeks. I watched 400 mg/day turn into a toxic reading of 25-30+ within a couple of days; then I cut back to 300 mg/day for two or three days and watched my level dwindle to an untheraputic 12-14. So I devised a regiment of one day at 400 mg, another at 300 mg, followed by two days at 400 mg, then back to 300 mg followed by 400 mg. I pay close attention to my body and try to get plenty of rest. And it appears to work...as long as I don't run down to the cellar. Oh, there is some neuropathy...anyone experience this?
If anyone wants to contact me with follow up questions or comments, my email address is tom_date301@yahoo.com
God bless and be well.
TW
Re: How Long to Feel the Side Effects of Keppra?
Submitted by triller on Fri, 2008-12-05 - 18:46
I will be starting to take keppra within a few days and will try to let you know how it effects me. I am on trileptal 600mg a day.a higher dose made me very dizzy.I also take neurontin 200mg a day I will be stopping this drug sat.I had my first spell( as i call them ,it's also easy to spell) in nov 2005 right now they still are at about once a month.the docs think a change in meds is needed.well good luck to all on this drug,feel well for xmas and the new year.
triller
I will be starting to take keppra within a few days and will try to let you know how it effects me. I am on trileptal 600mg a day.a higher dose made me very dizzy.I also take neurontin 200mg a day I will be stopping this drug sat.I had my first spell( as i call them ,it's also easy to spell) in nov 2005 right now they still are at about once a month.the docs think a change in meds is needed.well good luck to all on this drug,feel well for xmas and the new year.
triller
Re: How Long to Feel the Side Effects of Keppra?
Submitted by caregivers_need_hugs2 on Sun, 2008-11-30 - 08:48
My hubby has been on Keppra for over a year or so now. Hes doing great. No side effects. Maybe some tiredness when he first started but nothing compared to the Trileptal he was on before Doc made a switch in medications.
I guess it depends on the person but hes doing very well on it plus hes on Lexapro (antidepressant) which can make you groggy...no effects on him with that too. The only downside to his meds is the weight gain. The lexapro has increased his appetite so hes gained some weight.
My hubby has been on Keppra for over a year or so now. Hes doing great. No side effects. Maybe some tiredness when he first started but nothing compared to the Trileptal he was on before Doc made a switch in medications.
I guess it depends on the person but hes doing very well on it plus hes on Lexapro (antidepressant) which can make you groggy...no effects on him with that too. The only downside to his meds is the weight gain. The lexapro has increased his appetite so hes gained some weight.