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Help W/ Keppra
Tue, 02/06/2007 - 17:40Topic: Medication Issues
I have been on Keppra for over two years now and have had good luck with seizure control. I take it as monotherapy at 4000 mgs a day and have been on this dosage since early/mid . December. I have had some mild side effects on this drug and take 100 mg of trazodone for neurotic depression(drug induced) and for a sleep aid. Since the new dosage, I have been steadily going down hill. I am tired often, but don't sleep well. I've been severely depressed and my moods change on a dime. A day doesn't pass when I don't at least halfway think about committing suicide, and I cry at the drop of a hat. No one can stand me and to honest I cannot stand myself. I just wonder if this is a common side effect and should I alert my neuro.? The last time I mentioned being a little more depressed, she was eager for me to see a counselor, but I don't think that it will help b/c before Keppra (and E) I didn't have these problems. Please I really just need some help with what to do, I don't think I would ever committ suicide b/c I am highly religious but at times I don't know....Sorry this is so long...please respond...PLEASE.
Comments
Sorry to hear that you feel
Submitted by toni2 on Sun, 2007-02-18 - 01:13
Sorry to hear that you feel so down on yourself. Just know that it's not you. I started Keppra a month ago and I can't tell if I'm down now because of the meds, seizures, or not driving. I've never had a problem with depression before. The past two Fridays have been awful. Trust your gut. If your doctor isn't listening to you, get a second opinion. If you don't trust your doctor or you don't feel like you can talk to him/her, look for a different doc. They are there to help you. You may need to switch to a different med. Depression is a known side effect of Keppra and thoughts of suicide should not be taken lightly. Also, I'm worried about you because you say 'you don't think you would ever commit suicide'. This implies that sometimes you do think that maybe you would. You need to talk to someone ASAP. You'd be surprised at how much just talking to someone with a nonbiased opinion can make you feel better (I talked to a counselor once about some other non-related issues and it helped tremendously just to get perspective). Take care of yourself and let us know how you're doing and what your doc says.
Re: Re: Help W/ Keppra
Submitted by Jorge Lango on Sat, 2007-02-17 - 08:57
Hi Cassie, agreed with all the comments above. Hope you can have all your emotions back to normal. It brakes my heart looking my 5 yr daugther's emotions out of control because of the medicine. We found in the Vitamin B6 a very good suplement to control all these changes: "Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. The B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose (sugar), which is "burned" to produce energy. These vitamins, often referred to as the B complex, are also essential in the metabolism of fats and protein. B complex vitamins also play an important role in maintaining muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting the health of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver. Vitamins B12, B6, and B9 (folic acid) work closely together to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Elevated levels of this substance appear to be linked to heart disease. Plus, vitamin B6 is essential for normal brain development and function, participating in the process of making important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Pyridoxine is an especially important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle cells and it aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. It is necessary for proper absorption of vitamin B12 and for the production of red blood cells and cells of the immune system. Pyridoxine has also been called the "woman's vitamin" because it may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)." I recomend strongly the use of Vitamin B6 no matter the medication, it works so good to control all the emotions. Hope this information can help you. Jorge.