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keppra vs. topamax

Sun, 12/23/2007 - 15:06
i'm a 28 year old woman diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy when i was 16 - and have been on depakote since. my doctor has, of course, always told me that i should let him know when i'm thinking about getting pregnant. well, it's now within a couple of years of wanting to get pregnant...so i decided to switch over to lamictal. in the last couple of months, i've been ramping up lamictal and decreasing depakote. lamictal and i did not agree so well. so, my doctor has suggested to look at keppra vs topamax -- any thoughts???

Comments

I am a 38 yr old female and

Submitted by Kallivato52 on Tue, 2018-05-01 - 14:36
I am a 38 yr old female and have been on seizure meds for the past 3 years. I am on Keppra (levetiracetam) and Lamictal (Lamotrigine). I am not sure which one is doing it, but I have gained over 40lbs the first year of taking the meds. I have tried everything to lose it. I eat about 1400-1600 calories a day and work out 5-6 days a week. It has taken me over 2 years just to lose 25-30lbs. I was told that it is probably the Keppra that is causing my weight gain. I am getting ready to ask to be put on Topamax because it can help with the weight loss. There are definitely mixed reviews about Topamax, but I am willing to try it.

Re: keppra vs. topamax

Submitted by aallre1 on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 14:45
I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy when I was twelve.  I started on dilantin, but eventually out grew it.  I was later switched to lamictal but was constantly drowsy and almost fell asleep behind the wheel of my car.  I then switched to Keppra.  I decided to get pregnant while on the Keppra.  I took Keppra throughout my pregnancy and the baby came out fine.  I only had a couple seizures while pregnant and they were very small.  Once I had my baby the seizures got out of control and the keppra was no longer controlling them.  I would black out and forgot who my husband was.  I would wake up and have bite marks all over my tounge.  My doctor, then, switched me to depakote.  Depakote makes me really shaky.  My legs and hands shake involuntarily when I'm nervous and I can't control it.  I have horrible word recall.  Also, it causes my weight to fluctuate up and down and I feel hungry all the time.  OH, and I've lost a considerable amount of hair.  My doctor switched me to topamax today and I'm hoping to loose some weight and gain my hair back.  Any advice?

Re: keppra vs. topamax

Submitted by dianna609 on Tue, 2009-02-03 - 22:33

Well, Topamax got its nickname "dopamax" fairly. I feel like a moron on a daily basis and lose my words constantly. I lost all of the weight I gained on Depakote and then so, probably too much. I started to put some on because I quit smoking.

My hair has been falling out badly... Which is to blame: Lamictal, Topamax or both? No AED is perfect and they effect everyone differently. 

Topamax is up to you. I think the Lamictal/Topamax combo made my drowsiness worse, but I was falling asleep at my desk. I'll be off Lamictal in 6 weeks, so I can let you know then... just Keppra and Topamax. 

We all need a little luck and I hope the switch goes well for you. 

Well, Topamax got its nickname "dopamax" fairly. I feel like a moron on a daily basis and lose my words constantly. I lost all of the weight I gained on Depakote and then so, probably too much. I started to put some on because I quit smoking.

My hair has been falling out badly... Which is to blame: Lamictal, Topamax or both? No AED is perfect and they effect everyone differently. 

Topamax is up to you. I think the Lamictal/Topamax combo made my drowsiness worse, but I was falling asleep at my desk. I'll be off Lamictal in 6 weeks, so I can let you know then... just Keppra and Topamax. 

We all need a little luck and I hope the switch goes well for you. 

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