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Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal
Fri, 04/15/2011 - 18:03I am checking with the group to see if any of you have had the same problems. I
am taking 2000 mg Keppra and 450 mg Lamictal each day. I often have headaches
and have noticed an increase in speech problems. Most the time it is word
recall. I often replace words with other words. Lately, I need to slow down my
speech to get out what I want to say.
My level for Lamictal is good and my Neurologist said my Keppra level doesn't
need to be checked. He wants to put me on a third medication because I still
have myoclonic seizures. It is supposed to be related to Keppra and the side
effects are dizziness and headaches.
He told me my medications shouldn't be causing the speech problems and he thinks
it is seizure activity in my brain causing damage to that area. So, I am
checking with the rest of the group to see if they have had speech problems with
Keppra or Lamictal. Or, if they have seen a progression of worsening speech due
to uncontrolled seizure brain activity.
am taking 2000 mg Keppra and 450 mg Lamictal each day. I often have headaches
and have noticed an increase in speech problems. Most the time it is word
recall. I often replace words with other words. Lately, I need to slow down my
speech to get out what I want to say.
My level for Lamictal is good and my Neurologist said my Keppra level doesn't
need to be checked. He wants to put me on a third medication because I still
have myoclonic seizures. It is supposed to be related to Keppra and the side
effects are dizziness and headaches.
He told me my medications shouldn't be causing the speech problems and he thinks
it is seizure activity in my brain causing damage to that area. So, I am
checking with the rest of the group to see if they have had speech problems with
Keppra or Lamictal. Or, if they have seen a progression of worsening speech due
to uncontrolled seizure brain activity.
Comments
Re: Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal
Submitted by mroyston on Sat, 2011-04-16 - 09:44
My 4 year old son is taking Keppra and has been since he was a year old. He's taking the lowest dose possible for his age/weight. With that said my son does have speech problems. After talking with his neurologist & several tests later. They determined that he has abnormal brain activity on the front lobe of his brain, which is what is causing his seizures & his speech problem. That is the section of the brain that controls your motor skills. After reading all of these comments I think I'm going to do some more research. Misty
Re: Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal
Submitted by ann1960 on Sat, 2011-04-16 - 09:56
I started taking Keppra a year ago. Same as everyone else....the lose of word recall not caused by Keppra. I work in a field that being able to speak without the umm and ahhs is very important. In my last review I was counciled on the unprofessional manner of my speech at times. In the 30 plus years of speaking, this hurts and I know it's because of the Keppra. Yesterday I was offically diagonsed with Epilepsy because of the mini siezures on my EEG. Now what?? Yhey have also increased the Keppra. I feel my life is over.
Re: Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal
Submitted by rikk on Fri, 2011-04-15 - 21:20
hi,
i had many of the same problems. I am also taking keppra and lamictal. my doc used a different approach. She gave me the information and then the decision was mine. We adjusted the meds. Specifics. keppra down. lamictal up. the changes have been dramatic. Remember, the doctor is there to help you make decisions. do your own research, and make choices. Keppra has a history of many different side effects. Adjusting the meds helped me. It may be necessary for you to add another medication. I think talking more about other options would be helpful. Just as an aside. I fired two docs before I found one that would listen to me. the third doc did listen, and progress was made. hope it helps. rikk
hi,
i had many of the same problems. I am also taking keppra and lamictal. my doc used a different approach. She gave me the information and then the decision was mine. We adjusted the meds. Specifics. keppra down. lamictal up. the changes have been dramatic. Remember, the doctor is there to help you make decisions. do your own research, and make choices. Keppra has a history of many different side effects. Adjusting the meds helped me. It may be necessary for you to add another medication. I think talking more about other options would be helpful. Just as an aside. I fired two docs before I found one that would listen to me. the third doc did listen, and progress was made. hope it helps. rikk