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drowsinessworse with Keppra

Sun, 03/30/2008 - 23:51

Hi 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: Have you tried Vitamin B6 with your Keppra?

Submitted by ellebelle77 on Fri, 2011-11-25 - 07:07
OH does it ever. I religiously take 4 Vit B Complex everyday and the benefits are fantastic.

Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra

Submitted by littlekandiman on Tue, 2009-01-13 - 22:23

Hi Nancy,

I have been on Keppra for 5 years now.2500mgs was working well for me,and as for beeing tired,defently!I'm also on 2 other meds.Back in April of last year,i had to make a change to my meds and now i'm 4000 mgs of Keppra per day.I'm i tired,YES,but i over time,the tiredness became easier to handle and now its not to bad,and i use no caffine to stay awake.It took some time,and i tried to get enough sleep,even change my life style to get it.I know my situation is different than yours,thought it might worth a try.

Good luck, Steve

Hi Nancy,

I have been on Keppra for 5 years now.2500mgs was working well for me,and as for beeing tired,defently!I'm also on 2 other meds.Back in April of last year,i had to make a change to my meds and now i'm 4000 mgs of Keppra per day.I'm i tired,YES,but i over time,the tiredness became easier to handle and now its not to bad,and i use no caffine to stay awake.It took some time,and i tried to get enough sleep,even change my life style to get it.I know my situation is different than yours,thought it might worth a try.

Good luck, Steve

Re: drowsinessworse with Keppra

Submitted by VagueShot on Sat, 2011-12-17 - 12:31

I had a stroke in June 2010, followed by a small seizure in November 2010.  I was put on 250mg of Keppra twice a day, which I was told to take in the morning and the evening. The doctor said it was more as a precaution and I certainly haven't had another seizure.

I moved to London and started to get hay-fever like symptoms in January 2011.  I also started to be very drowsy, which I put down to the allergy.

I was spending more and more time asleep on the floor.

My neurologist didn't like this, and suggested that I take both tablets just before bed.

That was ten days ago and I haven't by any means felt as drowsy at all. In fact most days, I've not been drowsy at all. Over a period of four hours, the highest score I've given it, is just 3/10 and that was after a day when I didn't sleep well, due to unrelated issues.

I had a stroke in June 2010, followed by a small seizure in November 2010.  I was put on 250mg of Keppra twice a day, which I was told to take in the morning and the evening. The doctor said it was more as a precaution and I certainly haven't had another seizure.

I moved to London and started to get hay-fever like symptoms in January 2011.  I also started to be very drowsy, which I put down to the allergy.

I was spending more and more time asleep on the floor.

My neurologist didn't like this, and suggested that I take both tablets just before bed.

That was ten days ago and I haven't by any means felt as drowsy at all. In fact most days, I've not been drowsy at all. Over a period of four hours, the highest score I've given it, is just 3/10 and that was after a day when I didn't sleep well, due to unrelated issues.

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