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chest pains with Keppra?
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 22:14My dauhgter (13)was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy just over two years ago. Her neurologist put her on Keppra 750mg twice daily. She has had good seizure control and the only side effect is moodiness. Just recently she has had some "episodes" (the neurologist doesn't think they are seizures), that concern me. For three days in a row, she had some "episodes." The symptoms common to each are: difficulty breathing, chest pains, funny feeling in mouth, and body feeling heavy, sometimes all over, but especially in the chest area. She returns to feeling "normal" in about an hour. A recent visit to her neurologist was unproductive. She doesn't think these "episodes" are related to epilepsy or seizures. She seems to think they are anxiety attacks.
Is there anyone out there taking just Keppra for 2 or more years who has experienced these kinds of "episodes?" Especially anyone with Rolandic Epilepsy?
Comments
Re: chest pains with Keppra?
Submitted by bluestarKate07 on Mon, 2010-08-30 - 00:32
Hi! My name is Kate. I'm 21 and have been on Keppra for a few years. I was on 1500mg per day for about 2months but still had seizures. I had horrible chest pain that made everything feel heavy and had to sit down. I had trouble breathing, a cold sweat, I could feel my pulse all over my body, and my lips felt a little numb. This occured, rarely.. but when it did, usually an hour or two after a seizure.
My neuro raised my Keppra to 2000mg recently, but still recommended I see my regular doctor and check my heart. He suggested getting an EKG. (The test is not painful.) I was told it is common in some people for a seizure to put stress on the heart. Get her checked out just to be safe, but it could easily be anxiety attacks. Anxiety is a side effect, so that could push her to have an attack. I'm no doctor though.
I hope that helps.
Hi! My name is Kate. I'm 21 and have been on Keppra for a few years. I was on 1500mg per day for about 2months but still had seizures. I had horrible chest pain that made everything feel heavy and had to sit down. I had trouble breathing, a cold sweat, I could feel my pulse all over my body, and my lips felt a little numb. This occured, rarely.. but when it did, usually an hour or two after a seizure.
My neuro raised my Keppra to 2000mg recently, but still recommended I see my regular doctor and check my heart. He suggested getting an EKG. (The test is not painful.) I was told it is common in some people for a seizure to put stress on the heart. Get her checked out just to be safe, but it could easily be anxiety attacks. Anxiety is a side effect, so that could push her to have an attack. I'm no doctor though.
I hope that helps.
Re: chest pains with Keppra?
Submitted by Orien2 on Mon, 2008-03-10 - 21:13
I had rolandic epilepsy as a kid yet it was around the time time dinosaurs roamed the earth so my experience probably doesn't apply. Yet I do have PAs. I've only been on Keppra for about a couple weeks 1000 mg per day so I'm not really an expert on the drug. I'd say go wit h your instincts. Yet Rolandic epilepsy isn't that big of a deal I actually never took any meds for it at all. You worry too much enjoy your time with yer kid because one day she will be a woman and you are going to have to live with that. So just enjoy her right now and don't worry about tommorrow so much.
If you feel like your neurologist isn't a good one then try others until you find one you are comfortable with. You may need a friend who is good with doctors to help you because you are probably upset right now. I grew out of rolandic epilepsy so your kid might too. Relax mom at least it's not hopeless. Don't worry so much.
I had rolandic epilepsy as a kid yet it was around the time time dinosaurs roamed the earth so my experience probably doesn't apply. Yet I do have PAs. I've only been on Keppra for about a couple weeks 1000 mg per day so I'm not really an expert on the drug. I'd say go wit h your instincts. Yet Rolandic epilepsy isn't that big of a deal I actually never took any meds for it at all. You worry too much enjoy your time with yer kid because one day she will be a woman and you are going to have to live with that. So just enjoy her right now and don't worry about tommorrow so much.
If you feel like your neurologist isn't a good one then try others until you find one you are comfortable with. You may need a friend who is good with doctors to help you because you are probably upset right now. I grew out of rolandic epilepsy so your kid might too. Relax mom at least it's not hopeless. Don't worry so much.