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"Kepprage" anyone? Switched to Lamictal.

Wed, 10/22/2014 - 13:22

I started Keppra with a new Neurologist closer to home. I was only on half the intended dose for a little less than two weeks and was a couple of days away from doubling my dose. I was angrier, but I didn't notice until I had a "Kepprage" fit for no reason, threw a bowl at my boyfriend and was incredibly violent. My boyfriend had to hide my car keys since I was intending on driving off a bridge. Not just suicidal thoughts, but intentions. He and my mom saved my life that night so I tapered down and saw my psychiatrist Monday. He said he's seen the "Kepprage" and to call my Neurologist to get something else. I got Ativan for anxiety and a "just in case" thing since they stop seizures.

I called that day, but he was out of town for the week. The NP just said to "call back next week." No prescription, no suggestions, nothing. It took two hours of a missed dose to almost have a grand mal, but Ativan saved the day. My seizures were very much worse, I had memory loss (seizure induced?) and called back after a week. The NP chewed me out for "not following doctors orders" and I had to make an appointment for a week later.

I saw the doctor and he seemed annoyed that I got off of Keppra and said I was his first patient to ever report suicidal behavior. He said he had the same issue so he's glad he's not the only one, but he was really casual about it and he's on both Lamictal and Keppra. I got on Lamictal starting at 100 mg twice a day. I'm completely calm, too calm. Social anxiety is 10000x worse and I have no motivation. I know it's a mood stabilizer but.. too stabilized maybe? Not sad, not happy.

Has anyone had these experiences with Keppra alone and/or Lamictal by itself? It's completely opposite. What if I tried both together if they could balance eachother out?

Comments

If you wanted to realy check

Submitted by just_joe on Thu, 2014-10-23 - 10:24
If you wanted to realy check you would find many posts about kepprage. Yes it does happen to some people. I also know that keppra is becomming the go to medication for epilepsy. There are side effects to any and all medications including OTC meds.  I have been in drug studies for newer medications for epilepsy. So I do know how those side effects get added to the list. I also know that you will find posts about a medication not doing what it was made for or in your case rage. Mood change is one side effect with almost all AED's. Now I know that you will find the posts about the rage. I also know that 5-8% of the people taking any medication will get a side effect, So you will har very little from the 92-95% of the people taking the medication and it has worked for them. I have been taking keppra for many years and it reduced the number of seizures I was having. It also shortened the time in those seizures. As for lamictal it is a good medication. It works well. If you have been taking the lamictal for some time then discuss this issue with your neurologist. If you just started it and haven't been on it very long then give it a chance. It takes time for your body to get used to the medication. It also takes time for all the drug to leave your body after you have stopped taking the medication. You might want to check out the drugs I was on back in the early 60's. One was being used as a sleeping pill. I was on phenobarb, dilantin and tegratol. Enough phenobarb to put the average man to sleep for 24 hours was my daily dosage. Coulpe that with the other drugs and yo uhave one wicked cocktail. I do hope they get your meds streightened out and you get seizure free. Joe

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