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Just Prescribed Keppra
Tue, 05/24/2005 - 22:00Comments
RE: Just Prescribed Keppra
Submitted by grez-monkey on Tue, 2005-05-24 - 18:58
Wicked Wedgie Woman...oops, I mean Sestrilla, lol.
Going from one med to another to another can become frustrating. I've gone through many myself. Never did Topamax. But for now, I am on both Keppra and Lamictal. I will tell you though, don't be scared, just take it slow, VERY slow, with the increaseing dosage of Keppra. I'm talking about 25mgs weekly increases. And keep your eyes open for any serious side effects. The info about Keppra starts on this website www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_keppra_intro.html. But the serious side effectsare on this website www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_keppra_serious.html
Exapmle of what I mean with this. Based on taking medications twice a day:
Week #1: nothing in the morning AND 25mgs at night.
Week #2: 25mgs in the morning AND 25mgs at night.
Week #3: 25mgs in the morning AND 50mgs at night.
Week #4: 50mgs in the morning AND 50mgs at night.
and so on...
It's a long process depending on the overall dosage level to be reached [theraputic level], like 3+ months, but it is safe. If any of the serious side effects start up/begin, then the person has gone into the toxic level.
One thing I do remember, from a neurophycologist's mouth, is that there are no person with epilepsy taking 4 separate/different AED's. 3 separate AED's is enough.
Typing this up just gave me an idea of starting threats to explain more about the AED's. Now added on to my "To Do's" list.
Anyway, at the start of when I began Keppra, I sometimes felt lite-headed, walking sideways, even though I'm walking straight. Imagine yourself spinning around 5 times with your eyes open, stopping and trying to walk in a straight line. This was how I felt, but I really was walking straight. Overall, just took some time to wear-off.
Take care and good luck.
Bruce J
Wicked Wedgie Woman...oops, I mean Sestrilla, lol.
Going from one med to another to another can become frustrating. I've gone through many myself. Never did Topamax. But for now, I am on both Keppra and Lamictal. I will tell you though, don't be scared, just take it slow, VERY slow, with the increaseing dosage of Keppra. I'm talking about 25mgs weekly increases. And keep your eyes open for any serious side effects. The info about Keppra starts on this website www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_keppra_intro.html. But the serious side effectsare on this website www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_keppra_serious.html
Exapmle of what I mean with this. Based on taking medications twice a day:
Week #1: nothing in the morning AND 25mgs at night.
Week #2: 25mgs in the morning AND 25mgs at night.
Week #3: 25mgs in the morning AND 50mgs at night.
Week #4: 50mgs in the morning AND 50mgs at night.
and so on...
It's a long process depending on the overall dosage level to be reached [theraputic level], like 3+ months, but it is safe. If any of the serious side effects start up/begin, then the person has gone into the toxic level.
One thing I do remember, from a neurophycologist's mouth, is that there are no person with epilepsy taking 4 separate/different AED's. 3 separate AED's is enough.
Typing this up just gave me an idea of starting threats to explain more about the AED's. Now added on to my "To Do's" list.
Anyway, at the start of when I began Keppra, I sometimes felt lite-headed, walking sideways, even though I'm walking straight. Imagine yourself spinning around 5 times with your eyes open, stopping and trying to walk in a straight line. This was how I felt, but I really was walking straight. Overall, just took some time to wear-off.
Take care and good luck.
Bruce J
RE: Just Prescribed Keppra
Submitted by jenn1963 on Tue, 2005-05-24 - 18:21
Hi, my name is Jennifer and I take keppra (1000mg 3xs). I do have mood swings, I've read on this site where some have gain weight, I haven't, and when I first started with it last summer it seemed like I was always tired. I don't know where you are from, but they are some great neurologist in Charleston, SC.Best of Luck