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Coming off Keppra
Wed, 11/02/2016 - 10:18Topic: Medication Issues
I have been on Keppra for 5 years. The doctor decided it was time to try something new. I think they dropped me down to quickly. I went from 1500 mg in the am and 1500 mg at night to 750 mg twice a day. Since then I've been experiencing EXTREME dizziness, jittery, hard to keep my balance to walk. I go from extreme anger to uncontrollably crying. Are these symptoms of withdrawal or something worse. Please help.
WelcomeTrying something new
Submitted by just_joe on Wed, 2016-11-02 - 12:01
WelcomeTrying something new to me means reducing one medication while starting another medication. So if you were started on a medication then you have a combination which can increase the amount of medications to control seizures. All seizure medications can cause mood swings and that might be why you might be having these problems. You said it was your neurologists decision but didn't say if you were still having seizures. I have been using keppra for about 15 years now. I take 4500mg a day which is the max amount. so you are taking 2 tablets less then I take. each and every person has a tolerance level. With all the medications for seizure control I have required the maximum dosage while others need the lowest dosage. Your neurologist is trying to get his patients on ONE medication only which is what they are to try and do. However there are things that are done for people that never get their seizures controlled with ONE medication. That is coupling that medication with another. I wanted better control since I was having 4-8 seizures a month. Those seizures were lasting about 5 minutes and the post ictal time was 15-45 minutes. That was on keppra alone. Doc and I coupled the keppra with vimpat and by doing that my seizure count went down to a seizure every 8-14 days. Today those seizures last a few seconds and people do not even know I have them. So that is another route.If this was happening to me I would be calling my neurologist. To see if the reduction was too fast or the new medication was to much to start with.I hope this helps and you get seizure freeJoe