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Keppra,side effects and behavior issues

Mon, 12/17/2007 - 20:43

My daughter is 8 yo and was diagnosised with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy this summer. The neuro put her on Keppra 100mg and I was told of the side effects of sleeplessness,agitation,agression etc. Since we started this medication the things my daughter use to enjoy and look forward to she will almost have like a panic attack when it comes to the event. She has spent at least 1-2 days a week in the principal's office and even calls from girl scout meetings that she can't be controlled and won't listen anymore. She is not the same child since using this medication. I am at my wit's end on what to do. Is anyone else having issues like this since starting medication, esp Keppra? Did you say anything to the neuro regarding this and what did they say? Any comments,etc is GREATLY appreciated!

 

Lori

Comments

Re: Keppra,side effects and behavior issues

Submitted by D.J. Red on Fri, 2007-12-28 - 15:42

 

I've had grand mail seizures for about 8 years, but until Sept 8, 2007, I was treating them homeopathically, with herbal tinctures I made from Black Cohosh and Lobelia. This worked pretty well, but I would still have about a seizuire a year. With no treatment at all I have a seizure every few months. I finally consented to get on conventional anti-seizure meds on 9/8/07, because during the last few episodes when I had seizures, I had a number of them. In the first hours of Sept. 8, I had a seizure and kept having them again and again until they almost killed me. By the time the ambulance got to my house I had stopped breathing. I am now on Keppra and Dilantin (which I'm gradually phazing off).

I have noticed that I've been very angry most of the time since I've been on Keppra, and my poor wife and 5 year old daughter bear the brunt of it. I feel as if the drug is making me a bitter, unlikable person. I'm trying hard not to let that happen.

I have been doing a better job of controlling my anger as the weeks go on and always keep my cool when my daughter is around, but since I've been on Keppra have said some very hateful things and words to my wife which I am quite ashamed of.

One morning while on my way to catch the city bus, I almost started a fight with a motorist who wasn't going to stop for me at the crosswalk a few blocks from my home. I stepped right in front of his car while pointing to the crosswalk lines and he had to slam his brakes to not hit me. As I was walking across the street, he let his car gradually move forward to scare me and I flipped him off. He said "I'll kick your a**, b***h," and I responded by putting up my fists and saying "Bring it on motherf****r! I'll kill your a**." This is very unlike me. I am not a violent person. The only people I've ever had physical fights with in all my life are my twin brother and a few bullies who wouldn't stop bothering me in junior high school. Fortunately, I think this guy had to get to work, so he drove on. I am also taking B12 Supplements to help and my anger issues seem to be lessening, but I try to always keep myself "in check" before responding to things that trouble me.

Another thing I don't like about Keppra is being tired all the time, which contributes to my general grumpiness. I do like that I haven't had any seizures since being on it, though, and will work hard not to let its bad side effects take control of me.

 

 

I've had grand mail seizures for about 8 years, but until Sept 8, 2007, I was treating them homeopathically, with herbal tinctures I made from Black Cohosh and Lobelia. This worked pretty well, but I would still have about a seizuire a year. With no treatment at all I have a seizure every few months. I finally consented to get on conventional anti-seizure meds on 9/8/07, because during the last few episodes when I had seizures, I had a number of them. In the first hours of Sept. 8, I had a seizure and kept having them again and again until they almost killed me. By the time the ambulance got to my house I had stopped breathing. I am now on Keppra and Dilantin (which I'm gradually phazing off).

I have noticed that I've been very angry most of the time since I've been on Keppra, and my poor wife and 5 year old daughter bear the brunt of it. I feel as if the drug is making me a bitter, unlikable person. I'm trying hard not to let that happen.

I have been doing a better job of controlling my anger as the weeks go on and always keep my cool when my daughter is around, but since I've been on Keppra have said some very hateful things and words to my wife which I am quite ashamed of.

One morning while on my way to catch the city bus, I almost started a fight with a motorist who wasn't going to stop for me at the crosswalk a few blocks from my home. I stepped right in front of his car while pointing to the crosswalk lines and he had to slam his brakes to not hit me. As I was walking across the street, he let his car gradually move forward to scare me and I flipped him off. He said "I'll kick your a**, b***h," and I responded by putting up my fists and saying "Bring it on motherf****r! I'll kill your a**." This is very unlike me. I am not a violent person. The only people I've ever had physical fights with in all my life are my twin brother and a few bullies who wouldn't stop bothering me in junior high school. Fortunately, I think this guy had to get to work, so he drove on. I am also taking B12 Supplements to help and my anger issues seem to be lessening, but I try to always keep myself "in check" before responding to things that trouble me.

Another thing I don't like about Keppra is being tired all the time, which contributes to my general grumpiness. I do like that I haven't had any seizures since being on it, though, and will work hard not to let its bad side effects take control of me.

 

Re: Keppra,side effects and behavior issues

Submitted by libsan on Tue, 2013-05-07 - 06:00
hi all...happened to read this thread to understand what i am going through. I was diagnosed with JME when I was 10 years old and was on depakote for nearly 25 years. I switched to Keppra when I was planning to get pregnant. Blessed with two wonderful super kids and loving husband and respectable job, I cant ask more. But I am always depressed, irritable, angry, frustrated and what not. I am tired most of the time though less sleepy than depakote. I try not to show my irritability on my kids but fail to do sometimes. mood swings are uncontrollable and many times makes me think about suicide. I am a medical person and I try to get the situation under control. Though keppra controls seizures, these behavioural problems are horrible. I try to withdraw myself from everyone, this loneliness again makes me depressed. this goes in circles and I am very confused, especially it is tough to handle a 4 yr old and 1 yr old with this mental status..friends..put in your advice

Re: Keppra,side effects and behavior issues

Submitted by Silvergoldman on Tue, 2013-05-07 - 18:39
I have been on Keppra before a couple different times now. Recently like you I was on Depakote ER for about 8 years and had to switch because it started giving me chest pains for some reason. Taking a Vitamin B-6 supplement with the Keppra will help your moods a ton. At least it did for me! When I was on it before and not taking the B-6 I was a irritable, angry mess.

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