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Keppra Rage
Mon, 09/20/2010 - 20:31Comments
Re: Keppra Rage
Submitted by mscoulte on Tue, 2011-02-15 - 14:18
My husband started having tonic clonics in May 2010 at age 26. He tried Topamax which was a disaster and then we started on Keppra XR. It kept his seizures at bay but he became completely unbearable! He would realize when he would go into a complete rage but literally could not stop it from happening. He kicked the wall once and had an anxiety attack in our bedroom another night. I really didn't think I could live with him much longer and we were finally honest with our epileptologist about the side effects. He said, "Let me guess...your husband is being mean?"
Seizure medications can be lifelong and there is no reason to live like that when there are numerous other medications to try. We were so scared to switch, but he is now on generic Lamictal seizure free with zero side effects.
My husband started having tonic clonics in May 2010 at age 26. He tried Topamax which was a disaster and then we started on Keppra XR. It kept his seizures at bay but he became completely unbearable! He would realize when he would go into a complete rage but literally could not stop it from happening. He kicked the wall once and had an anxiety attack in our bedroom another night. I really didn't think I could live with him much longer and we were finally honest with our epileptologist about the side effects. He said, "Let me guess...your husband is being mean?"
Seizure medications can be lifelong and there is no reason to live like that when there are numerous other medications to try. We were so scared to switch, but he is now on generic Lamictal seizure free with zero side effects.
Re: Keppra Rage
Submitted by Bharatt on Tue, 2011-02-15 - 04:25
Dear sgh, trust me it's not his fault. I had been on Keppra for around 18 months. It makes a person restless and sensitive. Most probably because it has a depressive effect. I've also experienced flickering vision because of it. Although you've done a wonderful job by adding B6, ask the neurologist if adding B12 will help. when I was on Keppra, I used to take Methylcobalamin (B12) injections which help fight depression, and used to feel great after taking one. The change was very obvious to my family. I was disappointed that I couldn't take them more than once or twice a week. Also, I suggest he should add more vegetables and seafood to his diet. Fish helps fight mood problems. Also, there is a breathing exercise (called 'Anulom-Vilom' Pranayam, a part of yoga), which is harmless and helps cure headaches and keep calm. However, if it's getting too much, tell his neurologist to change the medicine. It's better to find a more suitable medicine than to suffer for years. Good luck.