Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Change in Keppra dosage
Wed, 05/18/2016 - 15:39Topic: Medication Issues
Hi,
So a few months ago i went to see a specialist because ive been having more seizures then usual. I was on 1000 twice daily of keppra as well as 250 twice daily lemotrogine. I started having more seizures as ive list weight. (I was nearly 16stone, im now 11st 4). The doctor recommended uping my keppra to 1500 twice a day in gradual segments.. I was fine at first, a bit more drowsy than usual but nothing else. Since ive been on 1500 twice daily of keppra i started crying for no reason, having memory loss, bruising, tired after about 15mins exercise. So i asked my GP about putting the dosage back down (1250 twice a day to try balancing the seizures and the side effects). I started cutting down on monday, since then ive had emotional swings (angry / upset for no reason). Occasional trouble breathing, lack of concentration. As you can imagine this has been affecting my job. Anyone else have any side effects from changing dosage / decreasing dosage?
You started having more
Submitted by just_joe on Wed, 2016-05-18 - 17:21
You started having more seizures then usual. You lost weight. A question that needs an answer is Do you have a neurologist? Or did your GP diagnose you? Seizure medications and dosages are set with the weight of the patient and adjustments can be made as the patients body gets usedto the medication. Just like not enoough medication is not good too much medication is just as bad. from what I remember about weight in stones from old school I am thinking you lost about 75 lba. I am not counting the .4. A weight loss like that might tell a neurologist that the seizures could have been from the loss so your dosages should have been decreased and not increased, When I was diagnosed I was 12-13 at 14 I gained about 50 lbs and my dosages were changes several times so I had the slight increase at the begining and they stabled out within a month or 2. That 50 lbs was gained in a period of 4-5 months. Changing from a kid to a 14 yo teem with hormones going nuts was teh problem I had.If you have a neurologist please contact them and discuss this issue with them because your issue with them. If your GP set up your seizure meds was he aware of your loss in weight or was he not told about the weight loss? If he was not aware of the decrease in weight them call him and tell him about it and see what he says about the decrease in your meds. For all we know you may need to lower it to less then 1000 twice a day.I hope this helps and you get your seizures under controlJoe