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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 campingdogs on Sat, 2010-02-20 - 22:18
I've-gone-crazy-Sue
Hi Carhie...I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at age 60...I am now 63. I take 500 mg Keppra every 12 hours, & although it completely eliminates my seizure acitivty, it makes me groggy and stupid. I already have brain damage from the 2 years I did not take meds (I thought I had Alzheimer's rather than seizures). All those seizures really destroyed a lot of my brain synapses. I just got fired from a job for the first time in my life because I could not concentrate or remember. My Neuro won't refer me for Disability because he says the State of California does not recognize Epilepsy as a disability...what crap!
I don't think you will get used to eppra's side effects. My Neuro says because all anti-seizure meds work by supressing your nervous system, they all make you sleepy and unable to concentate. Join the unhappy crowd...
Sue
I've-gone-crazy-Sue
Hi Carhie...I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at age 60...I am now 63. I take 500 mg Keppra every 12 hours, & although it completely eliminates my seizure acitivty, it makes me groggy and stupid. I already have brain damage from the 2 years I did not take meds (I thought I had Alzheimer's rather than seizures). All those seizures really destroyed a lot of my brain synapses. I just got fired from a job for the first time in my life because I could not concentrate or remember. My Neuro won't refer me for Disability because he says the State of California does not recognize Epilepsy as a disability...what crap!
I don't think you will get used to eppra's side effects. My Neuro says because all anti-seizure meds work by supressing your nervous system, they all make you sleepy and unable to concentate. Join the unhappy crowd...
Sue
Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra
Submitted by Furtive on Mon, 2009-01-12 - 12:50
I'm 36 and have been on Keppra for the past 14 months. I definitely had the drowsiness/feeling half-drunk side effects, but grew used to it after about 6 months. I don't drink alcohol or take any kind of cold medication. Caffeine is limited to two cups of coffee in the morning (otherwise I wouldn't be able to start my day).
Since switching to generic Levitiracetam back in late November, I feel like I'm back to square one and noticed it was getting worse. Tired, dizzy, and shaky. I avoid driving for the first two hours after I take my dose (500mg at 9am and 9pm). I called my neurologist about it on Friday, and am returning to Keppra brand today.
Good luck to everyone involved.
I'm 36 and have been on Keppra for the past 14 months. I definitely had the drowsiness/feeling half-drunk side effects, but grew used to it after about 6 months. I don't drink alcohol or take any kind of cold medication. Caffeine is limited to two cups of coffee in the morning (otherwise I wouldn't be able to start my day).
Since switching to generic Levitiracetam back in late November, I feel like I'm back to square one and noticed it was getting worse. Tired, dizzy, and shaky. I avoid driving for the first two hours after I take my dose (500mg at 9am and 9pm). I called my neurologist about it on Friday, and am returning to Keppra brand today.
Good luck to everyone involved.
Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra
Submitted by nleather on Sun, 2009-01-11 - 19:20
Hi Cathie-I never got used to keppra. Actually for me it got worse. In addition to being tired all the time I think I was actually getting paronoid and delusional. Keppra was just not for me. I started on Trileptyl in May and after several months and a couple of adjustments in my dosage it seems to be working fine. There are some side effects that I could not find listed on any website so I think it's good to communicate anything unusual or bothersome to your neurologist. This drug does cause me to heart palpitations and anxiety attacks so I have been trying to eliminate caffeine from my diet and see if that helps. My doctor does not want to keep switching drugs on me. I hope you have an understanding and thorough neurologist. I was referred to mine by my primary physician. Best wishes, nancy