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Tired: Seizures vs. Medication vs. Depression
Wed, 05/26/2010 - 15:02I'm currently taking Keppra 500mg twice daily for epilepsy and am also on Lexapro 20mg at bedtime for depression. I am literally exhausted and unmotivated all day, every day. I'm so fatigued, I just want to sleep constantly. The Lexapro does not seem to be helping the depression issues. And being on the Keppra has only made me feel more tired and unmotivated.
My primary had put me on Wellbutrin which caused me to have a grand mal seizure (I have absence seizures typically). Now I have to be on Keppra to prevent another grand mal seizure so that I can get my driver's license back. Meanwhile, I'm off the Wellbutrin and have switched primary care physicians. My new primary care doc has me on a low dose of Lexapro.
I'm just so tired of being tired all of the time. My doc insists my bloodwork is normal. My neurologist insists the Keppra is the right drug. My husband's patience is wearing thin with seeing his wife sleep all of the time and sit on the couch all day long.
Has anyone else dealt with anti-depressant and anti-convulsant med therapy?
Re: Tired: Seizures vs. Medication vs. Depression
Submitted by rebecca145 on Mon, 2013-09-02 - 15:36
hi,
I'm also on Keppra, and i have to say it does make me very tired sometimes, iv noticed a significant drop in my energy levels. However, when i started the keppra last year i was warned that it can cause depression and even suicidal feelings, i was also told that if this happened i should tell my doctor or specialist and would be taken of it immediately. Keppra is a very good drug for some people but like all drugs it doesnt work for everyone, your doctor shouldn't be keeping you on medication thats causing mental harm because thats what its doing, its keeping you depressed which in turn is putting ur epilespy out of control. You could speak to your doctor or specialist again, if they insist that you stay on keppra request a transfer to a different hospital or even just a different specialist. Your chemist may be able to help in the mean time, or if you have a specialist nurse department within your hospital, it may be known as an epilepsy clinic, they can be very helpful and influencial.
Good Luck!
Rebecca x
hi,
I'm also on Keppra, and i have to say it does make me very tired sometimes, iv noticed a significant drop in my energy levels. However, when i started the keppra last year i was warned that it can cause depression and even suicidal feelings, i was also told that if this happened i should tell my doctor or specialist and would be taken of it immediately. Keppra is a very good drug for some people but like all drugs it doesnt work for everyone, your doctor shouldn't be keeping you on medication thats causing mental harm because thats what its doing, its keeping you depressed which in turn is putting ur epilespy out of control. You could speak to your doctor or specialist again, if they insist that you stay on keppra request a transfer to a different hospital or even just a different specialist. Your chemist may be able to help in the mean time, or if you have a specialist nurse department within your hospital, it may be known as an epilepsy clinic, they can be very helpful and influencial.
Good Luck!
Rebecca x