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simple partial seizures and headaches?
Wed, 03/16/2011 - 17:37I was diagnosed with simple partial seizures a few years ago. During the seizures I would have headaches. Since going on keppra, the seizure symptoms have gone away, but I have been suffering from chronic debilitating headaches for years! The last 2 times I have had the headaches, some of my weirder seizure symptoms presented themselves. I am beginning to think the headaches are part of the seizures and that the seizures were never fully under control, but my neuro seems to think differently. He thinks the headaches are from myofascial pain syndrome or cervical dystonia...but I think their occurrences are too coincidental to be an independent issue.
Does anyone know if migraines and/or headaches can be a part of these seizures? If so, what can I do about it. I've been on keppra 1000 mgs 2 times per day with 100 mgs of topamax, but still had the headaches. I am currently on 500 mgs keppra twice a day without the topamax.
Comments
Re: simple partial seizures and headaches?
Submitted by Kaeli on Thu, 2011-03-17 - 15:26
I spoke with my neuro about increasing my keppra dose. I will still be under the max dosage. He's tried treating the headaches as a separate issue, but I don't think they are separate from the seizures. I think they are just another unpleasant symptom of the seizures tat persist after the seizures have stopped. Pain killers, PT, natural treatments, chiropractics, muscle relazers,and botox all don't work.
Re: simple partial seizures and headaches?
Submitted by zealot on Thu, 2011-03-17 - 17:42
Kaeli,
I'm relieved you spoke to your doctor. Good luck. The advice that Kristin offered about the Keppra XR is good. You might have a better time on that rather than a higher dose.
I couldn't get the XR because I was past the donut hole and my insurance wouldn't pay. I was forced to take half the dose of Keppra every six hours instead of every twelve hours. I didn't get a lot of sleep, but it kept my levels stable.
Make sure the doc tests your blood levels. If you start getting irritable or having other side effects, talk to your doc immediately. My headaches were much better at the Keppra every six hours, but were a disaster at a higher dose every 12.
I'm like you. Nothing works for the headaches. The only two things that ever worked were Trileptal and Keppra every six hours. That makes me think my headaches aren't migraines either.
Pay close attention to how you feel and stay in close contact with your doctor. Be well.
Baruch Hashem. Hoshia na.
Devorah Zealot Soodak www.psychout.typepad.com/ the zealot needs help!
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Re: simple partial seizures and headaches?
Submitted by zealot on Thu, 2011-03-17 - 15:20
Kaeli, Do not increase your Keppra dose without talking to your doctor. You could put yourself into toxic range. If you think you're getting headaches now, just wait until you go into toxic territory with the Keppra. Been there, done that, it wasn't pretty. My brains felt like they were going to explode. Much worse than the worst headache or seizure aura I'd ever had. I can't even begin to describe it. If you are having debilitating headaches, talk to your neuro. Your headaches need to be treated as much as your seizures do. Just because something doesn't show up on an EEG, doesn't mean that it isn't serious enough to warrant treatment. If your neuro won't treat it, find another neuro. It's part of his or her job. Take good care of your self and don't f*ck with your meds. Baruch Hashem. Hoshia na. Devorah Zealot Soodak www.psychout.typepad.com/ the zealot needs help! P.S. Please click here to read my latest post. P.P.S. Please click here to read my latest or last featured post. P.P.P.S. I made a new video. Please watch it on YouTube. P.P.P.P.S. I recorded a video and put it directly on Facebook! Please watch it!