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Keppra and depression
Wed, 06/10/2009 - 15:08This 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
Re: Keppra and depression
Submitted by rachgamboa on Fri, 2009-06-12 - 09:01
I have been on Keppra for about a month. I have also noticed the lack of energy and "laziness" that everybody seems to point out. All medications seem to have those side effects. They seem to transform you into this zombie like person. I take a small amount of Lexapro to control the depression-10mg to be exact and only once a day. It really seems to help and it has lead me to believe that it has helped. The small amount really does make all the difference for me. All medications will react to everybody differently and have different side effects for everybody. I try not to think about all the side effects so I can try to psych myself out. Keep a seizure diary so you can write down how you feel and show that to your neuro. It really helped me out. I keep it on my computer and update it at the end of each day. Then, I can print it up when I have a doctor's appt. I know that I find it hard to remember what day I had a seizure and how I felt each day. It really comes in handy. Good luck and I hope you find a solution!
Rach~
I have been on Keppra for about a month. I have also noticed the lack of energy and "laziness" that everybody seems to point out. All medications seem to have those side effects. They seem to transform you into this zombie like person. I take a small amount of Lexapro to control the depression-10mg to be exact and only once a day. It really seems to help and it has lead me to believe that it has helped. The small amount really does make all the difference for me. All medications will react to everybody differently and have different side effects for everybody. I try not to think about all the side effects so I can try to psych myself out. Keep a seizure diary so you can write down how you feel and show that to your neuro. It really helped me out. I keep it on my computer and update it at the end of each day. Then, I can print it up when I have a doctor's appt. I know that I find it hard to remember what day I had a seizure and how I felt each day. It really comes in handy. Good luck and I hope you find a solution!
Rach~