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Keppra and insomnia

Mon, 07/03/2006 - 22:35
Hi to all. I have a question about Keppra. Have any of you experienced insomnia while on Keppra? I have difficulty getting to sleep and when I do, I do not sleep soundly. However, I do not feel as foggy headed during the day as I did before starting it (newly diagnosed with complex partials). I am also experiencing the depression associated with Keppra, but have had problems with depression for many years. I am also under a lot of financial stress right now, so I am sure that may also be contributing to the insomnia. I also think I may be entering perimenopause (41 yrs old and had 1 ovary removed 2.5 years ago). Any feedback would be greatlyy appreciated. TLH64

Comments

Re: Keppra and insomnia

Submitted by tlh64 on Sat, 2006-07-22 - 12:20
Keppra and insomnia Hi to all. It turns out it was the Keppra causing my insomnia and adding to my depression. It was also making me cranky. While it was stopping the seizures, the side effects (or as my neighbor calls them, bad effects) were worse than going through the seizures (complex partials). I discussed it with my doctor on my follow-up visit and we decided that Keppra wasn't for me. He started me on Trieptal and weaned me off of Keppra. I can now sleep and do not wake up in the middle of the night with crying spells. To my knowledge, I still have not had any seizures. While I still have finacial problems, I can cope with the stress of it a little better. Hopefully, that will get better, too, as there is a company interested in talking to me about some better paying positions. tlh64

Re: Re: Keppra and insomnia

Submitted by wflisa on Sat, 2006-07-22 - 12:39
Gee whiz, reading these reports on Keppra makes me a little more excited about starting on Keppra--today! Not. I have been on Lamictal since middle of March 2006, and in some ways it has helped and in others it has not helped at all. Why my MD has chosen to try me on Keppra is beyond my comprehension other than it is another "new" drug. When I was first diagnosed with epilepsy in November 2005 (after a massive seizure which was also my first) I was given Depakote. I really hated Depakote as it literally made it impossible for me to function and I lost a job due to its effects (bad effects). At this point (July 22, 2006) I am not sleeping well to start with, and have been taking Zoloft for depression for the better part of 13 years. If I had my way, I would not be taking any of these (expletive) drugs. Of course I would also be having seizures all the time. Sorry to have gone for so long. I just wish I could go back to having a life and having the epilepsy under control, which it definitely is not.

Re: Re: Re: Keppra and insomnia

Submitted by tlh64 on Sat, 2006-07-22 - 18:32
Hi wflisa. I know how you are feeling. I was apprehensive about starting on Keppra, too. I had read the comments here and also read the package insert that came with the medication. I took note of things to look for as far as bad side effects were concerned. I also hoped that I wouldn't have them. As has been written several times here, everyone's body is different and can react differently to medications. As I mentioned in my original post, I did feel more alert and did not feel as "foggy headed." Unfortunatly, the bad side effects soon followed. I discussed them with my doctor. From what I understand, different medications are used for different types of seizures. While I am not completly sure, it is my understanding that Keppra works better on partial seizures than convulsive types. If you, family members, or friends start noticing negative changes, bring it up with your doctor. You might also want to ask your doctor point blank why he switched your medications. tlh64

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