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Side effects of medications

Fri, 04/17/2020 - 18:38
Hi everyone! My name's Jess and I'm new here. I was diagnosed with epilepsy this past month after my second grand mal seizure while at work. They started me on 500 mg keppra twice a day and have started me on lemictal to eventually ween off the Keppra because of the side effects. But I've noticed since taking both these medications that I feel constantly out of it and tired. I feel confused sometimes and like it's hard to focus. Has anyone else had similar side effects? Or if you wanna share yours. This website has already been so helpful with me researching the condition and hearing what others are going through as well puts it into perspective. Thanks for all the help already :)

Comments

Hi Jess. I’ve been on lots of

Submitted by Patriotrehab on Fri, 2020-04-17 - 21:02
Hi Jess. I’ve been on lots of different AEDs, including the two that you mentioned. With some, I have no side effects and others I have lots and sometimes I don’t have any until I’ve been on them for awhile, whereas others I have them right away. In general, I’ve noticed that I tend to have more side effects if the doctor starts me out on a higher dose right away and doesn’t give my body enough time to get used to it, so whenever possible it’s best to titrate slowly. Sometimes the body gets used to the medication and you feel better after you’ve been on it for a couple of months, but if the dose is increased or another medication is added, then you may have different side effects come up. Keppra, I experienced drowsiness and fatigue. Lamictal, I had a lot more side effects including chest pains, sore throat, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia. Many people report side effects of confusion and difficultly focusing with AEDs, but since you were just diagnosed and they are just making changes to your medications...it may be too early to know for sure that Lamictal is doing the same thing as Keppra or that your body won’t adjust to it. If you feel the side effects are intolerable and you don’t have an appointment soon, you may want to give your doctor a call or send a message if the office has that capability. 

Welcome Jess,I tried Keppra

Submitted by birdman on Fri, 2020-04-17 - 21:05
Welcome Jess,I tried Keppra for about four weeks back in 2001.  I had to quit taking it because of increased anxiety, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), tiredness, and depression.  I was already taking Dilantin and receiving treatment with Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) at the time and I had already tried almost a dozen anti seizure meds.  So for me the side effects weren't worth the slim chance that it would improve my seizure control.  I also tried Lamictal back in 1997.  Eleven days after starting I had a rash down the center of my chest and back.   That was rather scary, but I contacted my doctor right away and the rash disappeared in a week or so.I most noticed the side effect of feeling "out of it" while I was on Depakote way back in the late 1980's.  I don't know if it was from the Depakote, or from the fact that I was taking such a high dose of it (3750 mg).  We are all different.  I hope Lamictal works for you.Mike

Hi Jess, trouble focussing is

Submitted by figs on Sat, 2020-04-18 - 18:31
Hi Jess, trouble focussing is quite common when you start lamictal, or do an increase of it even years later. it's extremely annoying but generally it settles down again once your body has adjusted to the meds. Ditto the worst of the initial side effects for all of the meds. 

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