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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 pwalker on Tue, 2009-11-10 - 08:37
I've been on Keppra XR (only) for 7 months, since my last grand mal triggered by excessive amounts of caffeine. That seizure nearly killed me as it happened from the top of the stairs. I was very lucky that I wasn't seriously hurt although I felt like I had been hit by a car for a couple of days. I only get drowsy for about an hour around 4-5pm. I take 1500mg daily at bedtime. I thank God for Keppra! It has been my long awaited help. I had a small amount of hair loss in the beginning but that could have been due to the quick weight loss as well. My weight is has been holding for about the past 2 months. No unusual mood swings or depression, although I find that I am a bit quicker to cry over sad events and thoughts. I wouldn't consider myself depressed though. I still enjoy doing my usual activities and spending time with my friends and family. I can say that I drink about 3-4 cups of 1/2 caffeinated Folgers coffee (equal to about 2 cups of regular coffee) per day and that's it! If I need a boost at the sleepy 4-5 pm hour - another cup of 1/2 caf. Keppra XR and caffeine do not mix. I love my coffee but the 1/2 caf keeps me from getting the shakes and doesn't interfer with my sleep. If you become shaky, it could be due to low blood sugar because you haven't eaten well and caffeine kills hunger. Sodas have a lot of caffeine as well. Everything in moderation....listen to your body. I wish you the best and keep us posted on your progress.
I've been on Keppra XR (only) for 7 months, since my last grand mal triggered by excessive amounts of caffeine. That seizure nearly killed me as it happened from the top of the stairs. I was very lucky that I wasn't seriously hurt although I felt like I had been hit by a car for a couple of days. I only get drowsy for about an hour around 4-5pm. I take 1500mg daily at bedtime. I thank God for Keppra! It has been my long awaited help. I had a small amount of hair loss in the beginning but that could have been due to the quick weight loss as well. My weight is has been holding for about the past 2 months. No unusual mood swings or depression, although I find that I am a bit quicker to cry over sad events and thoughts. I wouldn't consider myself depressed though. I still enjoy doing my usual activities and spending time with my friends and family. I can say that I drink about 3-4 cups of 1/2 caffeinated Folgers coffee (equal to about 2 cups of regular coffee) per day and that's it! If I need a boost at the sleepy 4-5 pm hour - another cup of 1/2 caf. Keppra XR and caffeine do not mix. I love my coffee but the 1/2 caf keeps me from getting the shakes and doesn't interfer with my sleep. If you become shaky, it could be due to low blood sugar because you haven't eaten well and caffeine kills hunger. Sodas have a lot of caffeine as well. Everything in moderation....listen to your body. I wish you the best and keep us posted on your progress.
Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra
Submitted by campingdogs on Sun, 2010-02-21 - 12:04
I've-gone-crazy-Sue
I enjoyed reading your comments. I was put on Keppra XR but I started having seziures again so went back to 500mg b.i.d. I have days when I'm not quite as sleepy and "stupid" as usual, but I do have to drink a lot of coffee just to stay awake. I too mix 1/2 decaf with 1/2 regular. I have been drinking so much coffee I now have heartburn!
Well, if it's not one thing, it's another...!
Best wishes,
Sue
I've-gone-crazy-Sue
I enjoyed reading your comments. I was put on Keppra XR but I started having seziures again so went back to 500mg b.i.d. I have days when I'm not quite as sleepy and "stupid" as usual, but I do have to drink a lot of coffee just to stay awake. I too mix 1/2 decaf with 1/2 regular. I have been drinking so much coffee I now have heartburn!
Well, if it's not one thing, it's another...!
Best wishes,
Sue
Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra
Submitted by T Davis on Sun, 2011-12-18 - 03:21
I've some what adjusted to Keppra. I take 3000mg and take them all at bedtime. Which is always good for a drug that may cause drowsiness. My experience with the generic Keppra about put me under! The side effects were so much worse in every way and felt relief within 48 hours of changing to the name brand.
I take B6, Biotin and Vitamin D3 daily with my regular daily vitamins. It does help, also I cut back to only one cup of coffee daily, no soda or caffeine otherwise, I started drinking a lot of water which seemed to help, but I don't know that you can shake that physical drowsiness, at least I can't. Of course everyone is different and you should always ask your Neurologists before adding a supplement to your routine. For me, I can't live without them, especially the D3, this is so important for muscle fatigue, and mental too!
For my allergies, because I have a ton of them, I take a non drowsy allergy pill. If I would take Benedryl or Zyrtec I would be asleep in 10 minutes and sleep all day!!
If Keppra is making it difficult for you to function daily, you could ask your Dr. to have you switched to the name brand if your not already, giving your insurance will do so. My Dr. just sent in an order, (I was also allergic to a filler in the generic), and it was done.
Okay so sorry to ramble on, so most importantly take your Keppra at night, give yourself time to adjust, and if your Dr. says your good, get on a few energy boosting vitamin's to help you out.
My best to you.
I've some what adjusted to Keppra. I take 3000mg and take them all at bedtime. Which is always good for a drug that may cause drowsiness. My experience with the generic Keppra about put me under! The side effects were so much worse in every way and felt relief within 48 hours of changing to the name brand.
I take B6, Biotin and Vitamin D3 daily with my regular daily vitamins. It does help, also I cut back to only one cup of coffee daily, no soda or caffeine otherwise, I started drinking a lot of water which seemed to help, but I don't know that you can shake that physical drowsiness, at least I can't. Of course everyone is different and you should always ask your Neurologists before adding a supplement to your routine. For me, I can't live without them, especially the D3, this is so important for muscle fatigue, and mental too!
For my allergies, because I have a ton of them, I take a non drowsy allergy pill. If I would take Benedryl or Zyrtec I would be asleep in 10 minutes and sleep all day!!
If Keppra is making it difficult for you to function daily, you could ask your Dr. to have you switched to the name brand if your not already, giving your insurance will do so. My Dr. just sent in an order, (I was also allergic to a filler in the generic), and it was done.
Okay so sorry to ramble on, so most importantly take your Keppra at night, give yourself time to adjust, and if your Dr. says your good, get on a few energy boosting vitamin's to help you out.
My best to you.