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Keppra and sleep
Sun, 01/08/2006 - 17:38Topic: Medication Issues
Hi all. I was wondering if anyone else takes Keppra and has a hard time sleeping. I was just taken off Epival and changed to Keppra along with my Lamictal.Where the Epival was allways making me incredibly tired now I'm awake all night and sleep only a few hours during morn. I have been feeling realy good and happy since the change, so that is a definate bonus.I wonder though if the lack of sleep is from the Keppra and if it could make seizures worse. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you. Smiles and have a good day Colina
Comments
Re: Re: Keppra and sleep
Submitted by kimshiraz on Sat, 2006-04-15 - 06:11
Hi Andy you are definately on a weird combo od meds.
I've been on epilum in the past & gained a lot of weight in a month. I've been on all the mainstream meds which were unsuccessful & am now on Keppra 2000mg a day but not seizure free. I'm glad that that combo has worked for you & i'm sure working night shifts wouldn't help but as long as you get enough sleep you should be right.
Take care & hope things stay good for you
Re: Re: Re: Keppra and sleep
Submitted by andy m on Sat, 2006-04-15 - 11:45
Hi there,
You say i'm on a weird combo of meds, tell me about it!!! If only you knew the amount of fine tuning that has gone into acheiving 3 years seizure free. I can tell you its been a long hard slog (some of which I've started writing about in my blog) but as other people can tell you when you get to a stage of been seizure free for a length of time it like the most wonderful feeling on earth. Sure the next one can be just round the corner, but when you feel this good who cares!!! A positive mental attitude is essential and I know that sounds easy to say but sometimes laughing instead of crying is the only thing thats got me through. Sure I work nights and it isn't the greatest job in the world but I've got my health (up to a point) and some really good friends that have picked me up time and time again whenever I've been down. The weight gain you mention has not really been a problem because my job is very physically demanding plus working nights I only eat twice a day anyway and while i'm at work I just stick to fruit and taking on plenty of water.
Thanks for replying and I hope things stay good for you too!
Andy.
Re: Keppra and sleep
Submitted by andy m on Sat, 2006-04-15 - 05:36
Hi there, I have been taking 2000mg keppra, 2000mg Epilim and 20mg clobazam a day for over 3 years now and although there were initial problems with sleeping, general irritability and also things like slight development of a stutter. These things soon passed as the meds all started to work together and my body got used to such massive doses. The whole sleep issue wasn't helped by the fact that I work permanent nights. However the key is in the fact that you're feeling good since the change. I know that as I went longer and longer without a seizure it was like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders and without the constant worry i started sleeping better than ever and i still work nights. I hope some of this helps and I hope things work out o.k. for you. Andy.