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Lamictal vs. Keppra
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 09:11I am 25 I have simple-partial, complex-partial, and tonic-clonic seizures. I was put on Depakote, but that didn't work. So I was switched to Keppra XR, but it gave me suicidal thoughts and severe depression. Now I'm titrating Lamictal XR into my system while I'm weaning off the Keppra, and at this point, I don't know which one is causing the current side effects.
The tremors, extreme weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, insomnia, and loss of apetite are some of the expected side effects. What worries me is the fact that I keep forgetting things, as if they were completely erased from my memory! And then there are times when I feel that I'm just going to collapse and pass out..but I hear that's normal too.
I guess I have two questions; Is the memeory loss normal, and is there a point where one says 'enough with the medications!' ?
Comments
Re: Lamictal vs. Keppra
Submitted by kkirkland1 on Tue, 2010-06-22 - 11:45
I have absence seizurs and myoclonic jerks I was 1 when they started and I am now 31
Honestly I have taken everything. I have to agree that Depakote doesn't do a whole lot. (I have taken Lyrica, Topomax, Depakote) - Topomax makes your fingers tingle, which is so weird.
I couldn't take Keppra XR it was like taking speed x 10. However I do take regular Keppra 750mg 2x a day. I do still speed up a little but its not anything like Keppra XR. Now I will agree it made me rage, but honestly for me the medications available will somewhat effect your behavior. (at one time when I would have my period I was told to take a half of valium each day) So they gave me Lamictal to take on top of that, which I was nervous about but I did it. I take 200mg 2x a day. The Lamicatal really took the edge off and gave it a balance.
Now I will agree with the other comments that Keppra will make you sleep. For me it was a little nice because when I took Lamicatal and nothing else, I couldn't sleep. I eventually had paranoia and would sleep with the lights on. It only created more sleep depravation.
Now the memory thing I feel its common especially after reading the comments. I thought i was the only one. I had short term memory problems which was frustrating. I would have a whole conversation and get the idea but the next day- it was like it never took place. My school was effected, my work it was rediculous. What my doctor did was change my dose of Lamicatal because at the time I was only on 100 mg 2x a day. (but my understand memory loss is very common)
Keppra though again is like speed. So you really have to take it everyday. If you don't OMG - it is at this point a dependancy for me. I have to really keep to a schedule.
Good luck
My side effects - Depakote - made me feel swollen and I would loose my hair/shed it. Topamax-tingles in my fingers. Keppra- like speed, weight loss-able to keep it off. Which was a nice change all epilepsy meds I could never loose weight- I never really gain but never could loose. Lamictal- paranoia, loss of sleep and crazyness, memory loss.
I have absence seizurs and myoclonic jerks I was 1 when they started and I am now 31
Honestly I have taken everything. I have to agree that Depakote doesn't do a whole lot. (I have taken Lyrica, Topomax, Depakote) - Topomax makes your fingers tingle, which is so weird.
I couldn't take Keppra XR it was like taking speed x 10. However I do take regular Keppra 750mg 2x a day. I do still speed up a little but its not anything like Keppra XR. Now I will agree it made me rage, but honestly for me the medications available will somewhat effect your behavior. (at one time when I would have my period I was told to take a half of valium each day) So they gave me Lamictal to take on top of that, which I was nervous about but I did it. I take 200mg 2x a day. The Lamicatal really took the edge off and gave it a balance.
Now I will agree with the other comments that Keppra will make you sleep. For me it was a little nice because when I took Lamicatal and nothing else, I couldn't sleep. I eventually had paranoia and would sleep with the lights on. It only created more sleep depravation.
Now the memory thing I feel its common especially after reading the comments. I thought i was the only one. I had short term memory problems which was frustrating. I would have a whole conversation and get the idea but the next day- it was like it never took place. My school was effected, my work it was rediculous. What my doctor did was change my dose of Lamicatal because at the time I was only on 100 mg 2x a day. (but my understand memory loss is very common)
Keppra though again is like speed. So you really have to take it everyday. If you don't OMG - it is at this point a dependancy for me. I have to really keep to a schedule.
Good luck
My side effects - Depakote - made me feel swollen and I would loose my hair/shed it. Topamax-tingles in my fingers. Keppra- like speed, weight loss-able to keep it off. Which was a nice change all epilepsy meds I could never loose weight- I never really gain but never could loose. Lamictal- paranoia, loss of sleep and crazyness, memory loss.
Re: Lamictal vs. Keppra
Submitted by mcm on Mon, 2010-07-12 - 14:48
I burst out laughing when I read this. Your situation is the same as mine. Keppra sucks. I was told it would be no problem... huh! are you kidding I thought I was going to fall asleep walking down the street and if I didn't fall asleep I would explode! or maybe both. I switched to Lamicital and I must say it is better for me, no rash, YET! It does make me memory stupid and you do have to find the right dosage and that can frustrating. If it doesn't work I might take your advice...good luck!