Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Taking Keppra and Lactimal and having issues

Sun, 03/13/2016 - 12:35
I'm a 26 year old felmale.., I've had grand mal, partial seizures, and focal seizures. I was originally on keppra, and still having seizures. I had to find a new neurologist hi can more effectively help me. She decided to try Lamictal since it has worked for my mom in the past, she has grandma seizures since she was three years old., mine didn't start until I was twenty three. She had no adverse side effects. My neurologists goal is to continue to check my blood and see if I have enough of the lamictal in my system before I wean of the jeopardize, I have been very slowly worked the Lamictal into my system by increasing my dose by 25mgs a week. Now I am on the maximum dose of each until I get blood work done. Keppra has always given me issues, including anxiety, hairless, skin issues and loss of memory. Now that I'm on both medications things are much worse and I'm pushing my family away, even though tgey are understanding to a degree they can only handle so much, and I can't blame them. It's like walking on eggshells around me, I think everyone is talking bad about me, and feel like I'm a burden on them. I guess may be because I've been having such negative thoughts towards myself. I've been having a lot of anxiety and depression,insomnia( which I've never had) p, I also never used to dream and now I have intense unexplainable dreams. I also have a loss of appetite and already weigh less than 110 pounds. I sleep walk and not eat and often don't remember it. I cry at least twice a day, happy or sad... and often get angry towards my loved ones for situations that are irrelevant or that I've made up in my head. Things feel heavier and I just can't seem to handle anything. My memory has gotten a lot of worse, I'm in a long distance relationship temporarily and my partner said I had sent him an intimate video mentioned it yesterday and I have no recolation of it, I apologize for my openness but I need to mention it because when you have loss of memory that pertains to intimate situations, it can bring up a lot of negative feelings. Ivan deal with the headaches, sensitivity to light and sounds, and even the loss of sleep. But my anxiety and mood swings I can't handle for the sake of my loved ones. I am very frustrated and don't know how to handle myself. I don't want to speak to my doctor because I don't wast to prescribed and mood stabilizers. Hoping I can get some advice on how to better function until I can this all evened out. Thank you for everyone's time, it's greatly appreciated.

Comments

Thank you very much for the

Submitted by bnoelle12 on Sat, 2016-04-09 - 13:13
Thank you very much for the advice! 

Thank you very much for the

Submitted by bnoelle12 on Sat, 2016-04-09 - 13:21
Thank you very much for the advice! 

Hello! I finally weaned off

Submitted by bnoelle12 on Sat, 2016-04-09 - 13:21
Hello! I finally weaned off the keppra and I'm just on lamictal. My period actually came on time for the first time in a year, and I was literally so happy I wanted to cry. I'm sorry you are experiencing the same thing, all the doctors I have spoken too have very negative things about Keppra and with that it wasn't the first thing they prescribe, especially to young girls as it can heavily impact the reproductive cycle. My mother is a nurse and she was recently hospitalized for severe burns due to an accident... She was telling her doctor my story and he was sickened and said that Keppra seems to be the first drug prescribed for MANY disorders not just epilepsy. I really hope that you find some relief too, I'm doing better, not as moody, but I can't seem to get over my hair loss, I have bald patches all over and loose more hair everyday. I ran out of ways to brush it to hide it ... And I'm so embarrassed to go in public and feel bad that my bf has to look at me. I started taking primrose oil in pill form twice a day which seem to have helped my acne and my hormones, maybe you should give it a try? 

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.