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Keppra and insomnia
Mon, 07/03/2006 - 22:35Topic: Medication Issues
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: Re: Re: Re: Re: Keppra and insomnia
Submitted by tlh64 on Mon, 2006-07-24 - 11:55
Hi wflisa.
You did get the screen name correct. It is tlh64. You might take a look at the listings of medications on epilepsy.com. Go to the home page and then click on the section that says "treatments". If I remember correctly, then a list of treatments will be listed and choose "medications". Then you should get a list of medications used to treat epilepsy. Just click on Keppra. Then on the righthand side there will be a list of questions. Click on "What is Keppra used for?" There are also a lot of other answers to questions you might have. As I understand the definition of partial seizures, they are in a limited area of the brain and are usually the type where you kind of "zone out" for a few seconds or lose consciousnes all together and have odd behavior for a minute or two. Whether that can include some convulsive types, I am not sure. Glad to help. tlh64
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Keppra and insomnia
Submitted by wflisa on Tue, 2006-07-25 - 13:01
Hi tlh64,
I wonder how we can get rid of the repeated "Re:" as it is getting a little annoying?!!
Now to something more serious. I began taking 250 mg of keppra only in the evening with 300 mg of lamictal twice a day. The prescription for keppra said to take twice a day, but after just a few nights of keppra it became obvious that if I did take it twice a day I would be either in bed all day or what I call "non-functional." Being a highly educated and intelligent individual, I researched the keppra in a number of places on the internet because I was having problems even sitting at the computer for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. Now I know more than I did and I have been told that most of the side effects I am having should go away the longer I take the keppra. I certainly hope so. I have been unemployed for the better part of eight months, I have no income, and I have no energy. Thank you again for your kind and perceptive words.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Keppra and insomnia
Submitted by wflisa on Sun, 2006-07-23 - 07:02
Hi tlh64. I hope I got that right. Is it tlh or tih64 ?? Well last night I took my first 250 mg Keppra. When I woke up to go to the bathroom around 3-3:30 AM I thought I was on the "vomit comet." I thought my head had separated from my body and was floating in outer space. I was so dizzy I did not know which end was up. I had to crawl to the bathroom and crawl back. Needless to say this will come up with my doctor tomorrow. You said that Keppra works better on partial seizures? I have had nothing but convulsive seizures. I do know WHY I was switched: at 300 mg in the morning and 350 mg in the evening, the Lamictal was still not controlling my seizures. I do not think I will be able to take the Keppra twice a day. If I did that today, I certainly would not be able to attend church, that is for certain! Thanks again for the information and advice.