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Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal

Fri, 04/15/2011 - 18:03
I 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.


Comments

Re: Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal

Submitted by dj6927 on Fri, 2011-04-15 - 20:21

I started 1000 mg of Keppra a day about 4 months ago and if anything, I feel like I have calmed down a lot, but my wife says that I can get angry right away from some of the smallest things.  This is one reason I fear on increasing the dose like they want.  I have also been on 100 mg of Dilantin 3 times a day for almost 30 years.  After trying 8 other medications with it, it seems that when I take less Dilantin, the really bad seizures come back.  

We haven't noticed any change in my speech.  I do have a problem now with word recall, but that started right after I had surgery in 2002.  It scared the h*** out of me.  I knew where I was and what was going on, but when they asked me questions over and over, I could not remember a simple word like the name of the city I was in.  It has got better, but I do replace words like you say when I come to a stand still. 

The Keppra hasn't given me any headaches.  The only good thing I can say about it is that the last 3 times I had a seizure, I didn't "black out" (Tonic clonic or Grand Mal). 

I find it odd that the Dr. isn't concerned about your Keppra level and they want to try a third medication.  It's bad enough being like a zombie taking what we are already.  I feel like a test dummy when they say "try this medication.  If you feel angry, suicidal, dizzy, get blurry sight, etc., stop taking it and call me."    Duhhh!

I hope this helped somehow.  If the Keppra hasn't changed for the good in any way, you would think they would say stop taking it to see if your speech improves before starting another.      

 

 

I started 1000 mg of Keppra a day about 4 months ago and if anything, I feel like I have calmed down a lot, but my wife says that I can get angry right away from some of the smallest things.  This is one reason I fear on increasing the dose like they want.  I have also been on 100 mg of Dilantin 3 times a day for almost 30 years.  After trying 8 other medications with it, it seems that when I take less Dilantin, the really bad seizures come back.  

We haven't noticed any change in my speech.  I do have a problem now with word recall, but that started right after I had surgery in 2002.  It scared the h*** out of me.  I knew where I was and what was going on, but when they asked me questions over and over, I could not remember a simple word like the name of the city I was in.  It has got better, but I do replace words like you say when I come to a stand still. 

The Keppra hasn't given me any headaches.  The only good thing I can say about it is that the last 3 times I had a seizure, I didn't "black out" (Tonic clonic or Grand Mal). 

I find it odd that the Dr. isn't concerned about your Keppra level and they want to try a third medication.  It's bad enough being like a zombie taking what we are already.  I feel like a test dummy when they say "try this medication.  If you feel angry, suicidal, dizzy, get blurry sight, etc., stop taking it and call me."    Duhhh!

I hope this helped somehow.  If the Keppra hasn't changed for the good in any way, you would think they would say stop taking it to see if your speech improves before starting another.      

 

 

Re: Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal

Submitted by rikk on Fri, 2011-04-15 - 21:24

keppra is gaining a nick name.  The nick name is Kepprage.  For me it was justified.  Same type of problems.  hair trigger on my temper, with no real reason.  Your preception of what is going on could be associated with some memory loss.  I had that problem.  When the dose came down, the memory came back the ability to respond appropriately also came back.  something to look at.

hope it helps.   rikk

keppra is gaining a nick name.  The nick name is Kepprage.  For me it was justified.  Same type of problems.  hair trigger on my temper, with no real reason.  Your preception of what is going on could be associated with some memory loss.  I had that problem.  When the dose came down, the memory came back the ability to respond appropriately also came back.  something to look at.

hope it helps.   rikk

Re: Speech problems - Keppra/Lamictal

Submitted by myoclo_nic on Fri, 2011-04-15 - 22:21

 I am on 1500 keppra and 200 lamictal twice a day and Ive found i have exactly the same problems where ive had to stop and think about what i want to say and slow right down, and my woprds either go in the wrong order or just merge all together. it is very frustrating and my doctor says the same that it has nothing to do with the meds ( although he says the meds dont effect anything else ive explained hence i am looking into a new doctor) I also get moods swings and have gone down from a higher dose within the last month because of too much drowsiness and turns out i didnt need as much as i was taking before.

 I am on 1500 keppra and 200 lamictal twice a day and Ive found i have exactly the same problems where ive had to stop and think about what i want to say and slow right down, and my woprds either go in the wrong order or just merge all together. it is very frustrating and my doctor says the same that it has nothing to do with the meds ( although he says the meds dont effect anything else ive explained hence i am looking into a new doctor) I also get moods swings and have gone down from a higher dose within the last month because of too much drowsiness and turns out i didnt need as much as i was taking before.

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