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Lamictal and Keppra

Wed, 12/22/2010 - 19:26
I am currently on Keppra and have been on it for almost a year. I am having side effects that are affecting my daily life. I am very depressed and get dizzy spells and lately I have been have heart palpitations. My doctor is switching me to Lamictal and I am supposed to start it tomorrow. I have to continue to take Keppra for another two weeks with my Lamictal and then stop taking the Keppra. I am really nervous about taking both these meds at the same time. Any advice?

Comments

Re: Lamictal and Keppra

Submitted by justroses57 on Thu, 2010-12-23 - 17:55

I have been taking both Lamictal and Keppra together for about a few years. The side-effects at first were bothersome, especially since both medications' symptoms are drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches, I suffered through those for a bit.

 It takes time for a person's body to get used to new seizure medications they're introduced to. I've switched medications a few times, and its mainly sleepiness that becomes the dominant symptom. My symptoms come now and then; my advice is not to over-exert yourself, have a healthy diet, get enough rest, and take your meds daily (:

I have been taking both Lamictal and Keppra together for about a few years. The side-effects at first were bothersome, especially since both medications' symptoms are drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches, I suffered through those for a bit.

 It takes time for a person's body to get used to new seizure medications they're introduced to. I've switched medications a few times, and its mainly sleepiness that becomes the dominant symptom. My symptoms come now and then; my advice is not to over-exert yourself, have a healthy diet, get enough rest, and take your meds daily (:

Re: Lamictal and Keppra

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-12-24 - 06:57
Concerns about medicines are understandable. Please note, however, that both of these medicines were initially tested as 'add-on' seizure medicines, meaning they were added to another drug when first used in people with epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration approved their use initially when given in addition to another drug. When any med changes are made, just keep in touch with the doctor and note any changes experienced. Not all symptoms are seizures or side effects of drugs, and it helps to track the symptoms in a diary so you and the doctor can sort it out more easily. Hope you feel better soon. If you don't have a diary to record symptoms in, try the My Epilepsy Diary on the site! If you need help setting it up, email me at patty@epilepsytherapyproject.org Best wishes, Epi_help Resource Specialist

Re: Lamictal and Keppra

Submitted by roman476 on Fri, 2010-12-24 - 14:00
I'm on Lamictal now (300 mg morning, 200 mg evening) along with 400 mg of Zonegran. I haven't had a seizure in two years. :D With Keppra, I was having one every two weeks. For me, Lamictal is a stimulant, and doesn't help with my absence seizures at all; however, I trust it, and recommend it to anyone looking for new meds. Especially anyone on Keppra--it turned me into a zombie. I could not stay awake past eight o'clock, and I was having vicious mood swings. I understand your fears; I had them too. But your doctor knows what they're doing, so try and trust them. :) I hope my spiel helped.

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