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Tired: Seizures vs. Medication vs. Depression
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:02I'm currently taking Keppra 500mg twice daily for epilepsy and am also on Lexapro 20mg at bedtime for depression. I am literally exhausted and unmotivated all day, every day. I'm so fatigued, I just want to sleep constantly. The Lexapro does not seem to be helping the depression issues. And being on the Keppra has only made me feel more tired and unmotivated.
My primary had put me on Wellbutrin which caused me to have a grand mal seizure (I have absence seizures typically). Now I have to be on Keppra to prevent another grand mal seizure so that I can get my driver's license back. Meanwhile, I'm off the Wellbutrin and have switched primary care physicians. My new primary care doc has me on a low dose of Lexapro.
I'm just so tired of being tired all of the time. My doc insists my bloodwork is normal. My neurologist insists the Keppra is the right drug. My husband's patience is wearing thin with seeing his wife sleep all of the time and sit on the couch all day long.
Has anyone else dealt with anti-depressant and anti-convulsant med therapy?
Comments
Re: Tired: Seizures vs. Medication vs. Depression
Submitted by Jk606 on Wed, 2010-05-26 - 16:41
How long have you been on the Keppra? If it has only been a short amount of time (like 3-8 weeks) you have to give it time for these side effects to wear off. As with any new drug, it takes a little while for the body to get used to.
However, if it has been longer (like over 4-5 months), if it were me, I would talk to your neuro about the options of switching medications, sure, it may be controlling your seizures, but you have to think about your quality of life too!! A lot of people have depression, rage, a moodiness as a side effect with Keppra, not to mention the frequent need to sleep. There are other meds out there, Topamax, Lamictal, Tegretol, etc (just to name a few)...explain to your neuro that you are not happy, if your neuro disagrees, get a new neuro who is willing to work with you, after all its your life we're talking about!!! You should not have to suffer this bad, there may be an AED that can help you with less harsh side effects.
Explain to your husband what's going on, explain how the med's side effects make you feel, schedule the doct. appt. together, write a list of your symptoms together, go to the appointment together, both of you address your concerns up front and honestly to your neuro. Keep your husband in the loop, don't shut him out. (that was a huge problem for me). At that point, maybe you will feel a little better and will have reached some resolution.
Its hard and scary sometimes and its hard to tell if the depression just comes from the seizures and having E. or is it a side effect of the AED's. I know I have bad days when I just want to crawl up in a ball and hide away from the world just from sheer anxiety, but its really better to just get out there, eat right, exercise, and to do things that I love to do (that are within a healthy capacity), etc....even though the thought of doing so sometimes makes my skin crawl. Believe me its good for your brain chemistry (it keeps your endorphins going).
Hang in there, it will get better!
How long have you been on the Keppra? If it has only been a short amount of time (like 3-8 weeks) you have to give it time for these side effects to wear off. As with any new drug, it takes a little while for the body to get used to.
However, if it has been longer (like over 4-5 months), if it were me, I would talk to your neuro about the options of switching medications, sure, it may be controlling your seizures, but you have to think about your quality of life too!! A lot of people have depression, rage, a moodiness as a side effect with Keppra, not to mention the frequent need to sleep. There are other meds out there, Topamax, Lamictal, Tegretol, etc (just to name a few)...explain to your neuro that you are not happy, if your neuro disagrees, get a new neuro who is willing to work with you, after all its your life we're talking about!!! You should not have to suffer this bad, there may be an AED that can help you with less harsh side effects.
Explain to your husband what's going on, explain how the med's side effects make you feel, schedule the doct. appt. together, write a list of your symptoms together, go to the appointment together, both of you address your concerns up front and honestly to your neuro. Keep your husband in the loop, don't shut him out. (that was a huge problem for me). At that point, maybe you will feel a little better and will have reached some resolution.
Its hard and scary sometimes and its hard to tell if the depression just comes from the seizures and having E. or is it a side effect of the AED's. I know I have bad days when I just want to crawl up in a ball and hide away from the world just from sheer anxiety, but its really better to just get out there, eat right, exercise, and to do things that I love to do (that are within a healthy capacity), etc....even though the thought of doing so sometimes makes my skin crawl. Believe me its good for your brain chemistry (it keeps your endorphins going).
Hang in there, it will get better!
Re: Tired: Seizures vs. Medication vs. Depression
Submitted by karries on Wed, 2010-05-26 - 16:56
I've been on the Keppra since February - so 3 months. The fatigue is better than it was in the beginning, but it still really interferes with daily life.
My husband and I are going to see my primary care physician and neurologist together. He's been really supportive. But it's hard for him to understand why I don't feel like moving and why I am so tired I just want to sleep all of the time.
I've been on the Keppra since February - so 3 months. The fatigue is better than it was in the beginning, but it still really interferes with daily life.
My husband and I are going to see my primary care physician and neurologist together. He's been really supportive. But it's hard for him to understand why I don't feel like moving and why I am so tired I just want to sleep all of the time.
Re: Tired: Seizures vs. Medication vs. Depression
Submitted by Psyche on Wed, 2010-05-26 - 16:12
sounds quite familiar. i added lexapro three months ago to keppra and others and it seems to have helped with my mood, but decreased my energy. i notice a difference on days when i have to do things: volunteering, appointments,.... these days i seem to have more motivation. i am happy for the better mood, but need to fix the energy. maybe i can find some mandatory tasks to reengerize myself early in the morning almost every day. i hope i get around to setting them up. maybe a yoga class?