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from clusters to frequent, milder seizures on Keppra?
Mon, 06/05/2006 - 08:38Topic: Medication Issues
I am solely on Keppra right now--500 mg twice a day, and it seems to have lessened the severity of my seizures so far, but increased their frequency. Whereas before I would have clusters of simple/complex partial seizures every six to eight weeks or so, now I have really mild simple partials a few days here and there almost every week. Has this happened to anyone else? I would like to know how common this is, if at all, before I see my neurologist again. Incidentally, I also feel like a big bloated depressed space cadet.:)
Comments
Re: Re: from clusters to frequent, milder seizures on Keppra?
Submitted by ladybug on Mon, 2006-06-05 - 10:04
I have to echo what George here is saying about never being afraid to tell your neuro about what you notice it's doing or not doing for you. Piece of advice, keep a detailed journal. I started one and record when I have my seizures, what type of seizures they are, when my meds are changed, what side effects I'm feeling and when I go see the neuro and what she says. What I did was put it in database form. Whenever I go see my neuro, I give her a print out from the last date I saw her to the present. She has truly appreciated it. It helps out appointments to go a lot smoother and we're able to focus on the problems at hand.
Give it a shot.
Keri
Re: from clusters to frequent, milder seizures on Keppra?
Submitted by George Raybould on Mon, 2006-06-05 - 09:51
George - NYC, You sound like a carbon-copy of me! I've been friends with Keppra for about as long as it's been in use in the USA, 5 years. I started out on 3000 mg of it daily, half in the AM, half in the PM, always taken after food was in my stomach. Side effects for me were headaches, sometimes ringing in the ear, twitching of the flesh below my eyes, an "electric" feeling in a foot or knee, and (biggest of all) a need to sleep practically 'round the clock. Before Keppra came into my life, my seizures came in sets of three, were definitely tonic-clonic ("grand mal"), and would put me out of action sometimes up to one week. Recently, my neurologist had me start trying 2250 mg of Keppra per day, and so far, great results with less. Sure, I can expect a seizure now and then. After all, I've had epilepsy for 35 years. But they're worlds-milder now, and I never get them in sets of three, as I used to. In fact, recent ones (about every six weeks) are so mild (often brought on by too much use of the computer or TV screens) that I'm wide awake, can hear myself moaning while trying to form words. But in about one minute I'm back in this world of ours, and after giving my body a few minutes to gain back its confidence, I'm up and about. Stick with Keppra. And never be afraid to tell your neurologist about what you notice it's doing or not doing for you. He or she will appreciate your being as specific as possible!