Side effects of medications

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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, Thank you for posting.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2020-04-20 - 09:27

Hi, Thank you for posting. Our new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors'visits, and how to take control of seizures, seizure first aid & safety. Learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy . As Michael, Gianna and others have shared in their comments, treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects.However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects,that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about the medications you’re taking and things to look for, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects . It’s important that you’re following-up with your healthcare team to explore this further and if you experience any changes in seizure types/ frequency, side effects, symptoms, mood or behaviors to help determine what individual treatment plan is best for you. Be open and honest about how you all are feeling, and how this is affecting your health and daily life. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy . Many clinics and offices are now offering telemedicine options for non-emergencies, or routine check-in appointments. Ask your doctor’s if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telemedicine resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations for you. You may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to document how you’re feeling and the symptoms you describe experiencing in detail, (like you’ve done in your post), which will be very helpful to review with your doctors. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize health issues, track seizures, manage medications, develop seizure response plans, and more, which can be share with your healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000,contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates

Hi, Thank you for posting. Our new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors'visits, and how to take control of seizures, seizure first aid & safety. Learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy . As Michael, Gianna and others have shared in their comments, treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects.However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects,that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about the medications you’re taking and things to look for, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects . It’s important that you’re following-up with your healthcare team to explore this further and if you experience any changes in seizure types/ frequency, side effects, symptoms, mood or behaviors to help determine what individual treatment plan is best for you. Be open and honest about how you all are feeling, and how this is affecting your health and daily life. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy .  Many clinics and offices are now offering telemedicine options for non-emergencies, or routine check-in appointments. Ask your doctor’s if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telemedicine resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations for you. You may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to document how you’re feeling and the symptoms you describe experiencing in detail, (like you’ve done in your post), which will be very helpful to review with your doctors. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize health issues, track seizures, manage medications, develop seizure response plans, and more, which can be share with your healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000,contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates

Hi, Thank you for posting. Our new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors'visits, and how to take control of seizures, seizure first aid & safety. Learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy . As Michael, Gianna and others have shared in their comments, treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects.However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects,that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about the medications you’re taking and things to look for, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects . It’s important that you’re following-up with your healthcare team to explore this further and if you experience any changes in seizure types/ frequency, side effects, symptoms, mood or behaviors to help determine what individual treatment plan is best for you. Be open and honest about how you all are feeling, and how this is affecting your health and daily life. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy . Many clinics and offices are now offering telemedicine options for non-emergencies, or routine check-in appointments. Ask your doctor’s if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telemedicine resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations for you. You may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to document how you’re feeling and the symptoms you describe experiencing in detail, (like you’ve done in your post), which will be very helpful to review with your doctors. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize health issues, track seizures, manage medications, develop seizure response plans, and more, which can be share with your healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Additionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance,and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000,contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates

Hi! Just to maybe help, I

Submitted by Cgmana0289 on Tue, 2020-05-05 - 20:16

Hi! Just to maybe help, I currently take lamictal and was previously on keppra. Keppra made me feel very drowsy all the time and I gained about 25lbs over 5 months! I would definitely recommend the lamictal because it definitely controls my seizures and there's less side effects.