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Keppra and Alcohol

Mon, 02/04/2008 - 13:49

I am a healthy 28 year old male who just had his first 2 seizures on consecutive days.  I went to the hospital and had an MRI and an EEG.  The EEG came back abnormal so the DR. put me on Keppra 1000mg a day.  I am a social drinker who drinks regularly.  The Doctor said I shouldn't drink and if I do I can only have one drink.  Is this true?  I am not an alcoholic but the thought of never being able to get drunk again is fairly upsetting to me.  Does anyone have any advice?  What happens if I do drink?

 Thanks

Comments

Re: Keppra and Alcohol

Submitted by Jimsun on Fri, 2012-08-24 - 07:25
Hi Gcuje - Hope this finds you well. When I was diagnosed I just knocked the booze on the head! Turned out a wise move as shortly later I suffered a brain injury, spawned by my E. If you can, I'd do likewise. I still have a great time partying - but being Irish I'm arguably daft enough without the drink! It's also good fun being sober & watching your mates make pratts of themselves as they get drunk! You do save quite a bit of money too! Slainte; J. "Even monkeys fall from trees"!

Re: Keppra and Alcohol

Submitted by curiousandcuriouser on Mon, 2012-12-17 - 23:21
I am a 21 year old female and I started having seizures for the first time about a year and a half ago; I have had 5 since then and they have all been very spread out, besides the time I had two in one day. I had an EEG and a MRI, both of which came back normal. My first doctor told me they were caused by alcohol withdrawal, and that he was almost certain that I do not have epilepsy, therefore he did not put me on medication. I have been drinking since 13, so I believe he is right on. I have since been sent to the ER a few times and they have always put me on Keppra, but I am stubborn and I do not agree with taking medication so I would never take it. The only time I have EVER had a seizure has been the following day after I drank a heavy amount. I had another seizure yesterday, and I am finally considering quitting drinking completely, but I still don't think I am going to take my medication; I am hoping that quitting drinking will be enough to stop the seizures. Has anybody else had the seizure experience, but not actually been diagnosed with epilepsy? If so, does quitting drinking without medication stop the seizures? Or am I being far too stubborn?

Re: Keppra and Alcohol

Submitted by 0roxanne8 on Tue, 2012-12-18 - 11:52
My story is very similar to yours! When I was 19 I experienced my first seizure; I had been drinking all day the previous day and attended a major sporting event. Since I was with a friend who had no idea what was going on, the ambulance was called and I was sent to the ER. We arrived to the assumption it was caused by alcohol withdrawals, with no medication prescribed. 6 months later I experienced another one (once again after drinking), about six months after that another one (again related to drinking). You would think I would just stop drinking? But I did not want to QUIT, but did cut back. In Sept of 2011 I experinced a seizure, but I was not drinking the night before. Until this episode I, along with you, had refused to take medication because I felt I "didn't need it." For me quit drinking was not enough, even though it may be what had started my epileptic episodes, and medication helped to control them. I was hesitant to start on my medication, and agreed to start on the lowest dose possible of Keppra (The doctors tried to pull a quick one and prescribed 1000mg/daily, when the lowest dose is 500mg/day ... so do some research - you know yourself better than any medical provider) The lowest dose was enough to control my seizures, until recently I had a break-through seizure. ( I had started working out and changed my diet, this may have altered my Keppra levels, I am waiting to see my doctor regarding it.) It's okay to be stubborn about it, as it is YOUR body; but I have learned the hard way that the doctors do know what they are talking about; and IF it was a alcohol withdrawal seizure, don't you think that by quitting drinking it will only induce more seizures? I suggest working closely with your doctor to eliminate drinking at a safe pace, and take a small dose of anti-seizure medication to safe gaurd you. You can always come off the medication when you are ready! I wish you the best of luck with your journey; It will get better!

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