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Keppra and depression

Wed, 06/10/2009 - 15:08

This topic may already be addressed on this site. If it is, I apologize.  I'm new to epilepsy.com, and have a quick question regarding keppra and antidepressants.

I'm a 23 year old female and have been medicated for epilepsy for about 5 years.  I've been taking keppra for about 2 1/2 years and it has worked wonders for me.  I suffered from nocturnal grand mal seizures and have only had 2 since I began taking keppra.  Since taking keppra I have felt emotionally stunted. Life is bland, and I have no motivation to do or accomplish much of anything.  The longer I'm on the drug, the more I realize that I'm truly missing out on being my "old" self.  I don't want to stop taking keppra because it really has controlled my seizures.  I talked to my neuro about the depression and she offered to refer me to someone for depression/medication/etc. I'm wondering if anyone who takes keppra is also on an antidepressant?  Which one? Has it helped? Etc.  Thanks so much. 

-jenny

Comments

Re: Keppra and depression

Submitted by jennysomers on Wed, 2009-06-10 - 19:48

I think for your doctor to tell you that Keppra wouldn't cause side effects is incorrect.  AED's come with a host of side effects, they just differ for each individual.  For some people, the side effects of keppra are too much to tolerate, while for others, they consider that the benefits of the drug outweigh the side effects.  From what I've gleaned from the site, forms of depression, tiredness, mood swings, etc are common for a lot of people on keppra.  If you've been on the keppra for more than a month or so and the side effects are bothering you, I'd talk to your doctor.  If it hasn't been that long, I'd give it a little while.  Sometimes it takes a while for your body to adjust to a new drug.  Best of luck and God Bless!

-Jenny

I think for your doctor to tell you that Keppra wouldn't cause side effects is incorrect.  AED's come with a host of side effects, they just differ for each individual.  For some people, the side effects of keppra are too much to tolerate, while for others, they consider that the benefits of the drug outweigh the side effects.  From what I've gleaned from the site, forms of depression, tiredness, mood swings, etc are common for a lot of people on keppra.  If you've been on the keppra for more than a month or so and the side effects are bothering you, I'd talk to your doctor.  If it hasn't been that long, I'd give it a little while.  Sometimes it takes a while for your body to adjust to a new drug.  Best of luck and God Bless!

-Jenny

Re: Keppra and depression

Submitted by david 59 on Wed, 2009-06-10 - 22:34

david59    what i saw in myself after the first coupla months on keppra were istances of ...irritability ...that was above my normal self. there. thats a good way to put it.i began to feel like i couldnt communicate clearly with others,then a bit of frustration and paranoia set in...was it my fault or theirs...memory was unsteady,i guess.well, then i just started expecting this behavior...i too read about the potential side effectsof keppra.does the irritability and eventually the rage,come from keppra ,or just as a result of the overlapping emotional aspects of our lives. this is not just like ...having a bad day...it goes on to affect every part of my existance it seems. is it the keppra? my neuro also says ...at least youre not having szs...the side effects you can live with...   now ,after two and half years on keppra...i really dont know if i even have many logical thoughts anymore. ...but, i do still feel some compassion for those who seem to suffer for no reason...like so many here,who have taken time to read this. library lady...( seriously)...i believe these people here,on this site, will tell you all ,if not more, than you want to know. best wishes...keep us up.   david

david59    what i saw in myself after the first coupla months on keppra were istances of ...irritability ...that was above my normal self. there. thats a good way to put it.i began to feel like i couldnt communicate clearly with others,then a bit of frustration and paranoia set in...was it my fault or theirs...memory was unsteady,i guess.well, then i just started expecting this behavior...i too read about the potential side effectsof keppra.does the irritability and eventually the rage,come from keppra ,or just as a result of the overlapping emotional aspects of our lives. this is not just like ...having a bad day...it goes on to affect every part of my existance it seems. is it the keppra? my neuro also says ...at least youre not having szs...the side effects you can live with...   now ,after two and half years on keppra...i really dont know if i even have many logical thoughts anymore. ...but, i do still feel some compassion for those who seem to suffer for no reason...like so many here,who have taken time to read this. library lady...( seriously)...i believe these people here,on this site, will tell you all ,if not more, than you want to know. best wishes...keep us up.   david

Re: Keppra and depression

Submitted by OPENHOUSENY on Fri, 2009-11-27 - 03:23

Hi my first sz was @ 46 and I was pretty shocked since there is no family history, e does not have to run in the family anyone can get a sz.  When I look back on my life I always felt a bit fuzzy and not grounded like floating around, detached, not at the party, dizzy...I have been on Keppra since my last and 3rd sz in 2006 and diagnosed with E (after 2 more breakthru sz on Lamitical)  and have been sz free since. I do not care what the Keppra side effects are being irritable or tired or nasty, headaches, hungry, not hungry, no sex drive,  motivation, no motivation, feeling blah, suicidal thoughts w/out a plan in place,  miserable, depressed, (everyone is depressed) no emotion , too emotional, numb not numb,  as long as I am sz free Keppra is a the drug of choice. Sz control is first priorty, if you don't have sz control what do you have??  no quality of life   bottom line, so I will take any side  EXCEPT ANOTHER SZ!!!!!! Everybody is nasty with the state our country is in, so what's the difference.  Drivers are aggressive, people are crazy, people take your parking spot at a mall that you are sitting and waiting for, for 20 minutes as the person in the car takes there sweet old time....knowing your waiting for their spot...everyone is on edge, you try on an outfit in a dept store leave your bag in the dressing room and another customer takes your wallet, employers are nasty, bosses treat you like s--t, respect has gone out the window. People don't get divorced they kill each other now...................so I stay on a sure drug and its KEPPRA and my NYC Neurologist writes the books that other Dr.'s read. So my advice is if your sz free stay on KEPPRA..........if it works why change it...........I work, have no restrictions I drive........I try to lead a normal life and stay positive at all times....  feel free to write me or chat anytime.... I am on Zoloft 100mg  and Lamitical 50mg have been recently D/C'd.

Hi my first sz was @ 46 and I was pretty shocked since there is no family history, e does not have to run in the family anyone can get a sz.  When I look back on my life I always felt a bit fuzzy and not grounded like floating around, detached, not at the party, dizzy...I have been on Keppra since my last and 3rd sz in 2006 and diagnosed with E (after 2 more breakthru sz on Lamitical)  and have been sz free since. I do not care what the Keppra side effects are being irritable or tired or nasty, headaches, hungry, not hungry, no sex drive,  motivation, no motivation, feeling blah, suicidal thoughts w/out a plan in place,  miserable, depressed, (everyone is depressed) no emotion , too emotional, numb not numb,  as long as I am sz free Keppra is a the drug of choice. Sz control is first priorty, if you don't have sz control what do you have??  no quality of life   bottom line, so I will take any side  EXCEPT ANOTHER SZ!!!!!! Everybody is nasty with the state our country is in, so what's the difference.  Drivers are aggressive, people are crazy, people take your parking spot at a mall that you are sitting and waiting for, for 20 minutes as the person in the car takes there sweet old time....knowing your waiting for their spot...everyone is on edge, you try on an outfit in a dept store leave your bag in the dressing room and another customer takes your wallet, employers are nasty, bosses treat you like s--t, respect has gone out the window. People don't get divorced they kill each other now...................so I stay on a sure drug and its KEPPRA and my NYC Neurologist writes the books that other Dr.'s read. So my advice is if your sz free stay on KEPPRA..........if it works why change it...........I work, have no restrictions I drive........I try to lead a normal life and stay positive at all times....  feel free to write me or chat anytime.... I am on Zoloft 100mg  and Lamitical 50mg have been recently D/C'd.

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