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Keppra and constipation?
Sat, 06/16/2018 - 06:01Topic: Medication Issues
Hi. I started taking Keppra (generic) a little more than a year ago, after being on depakote (generic) for many years. It's been a pretty rocky road for me since I began using this med. In any case, I've had stomach issues with Keppra from the beginning, with ibs symptoms including ongoing discomfort/pain and mild constipation; very recently, however, the constipation has gotten much worse, however, becoming an more serious (and painful) problem. When I've talked to my doctor she's basically said that this ins't a side effect of the medication, and it's just a coincidence that I began having these problems at the same time. Does anyone have any experience with this? Google searches on the subject but have come up with very little. Thank you very much for any insight you have! I've done
Comments
And going in there is HELL
Submitted by Jedklang on Sat, 2019-07-27 - 19:40
And going in there is HELL for someone with anxiety as I had what felt as a panic attack
I tried Keppra (1000 mg) for
Submitted by birdman on Sun, 2018-06-17 - 21:29
I tried Keppra (1000 mg) for a while. I didn't have constipation but had many problems related to increased anxiety. Now I am still on Briviact and have had to take a laxative to relieve the stomach pain I was having for a couple of months. So I cannot relate to having constipation while on Keppra, but I do understand the discomfort. More than that I am sorry to hear how your doctor handled your complaint. You were open and brought up an issue which isn't very pleasant to discuss. It sounds like your doctor was quick to dismiss this. She should have at least given you suggestions of what else (besides coincidence) could be producing the discomfort. It was probably her way of saying, "I don't know." Maybe your pain / constipation is a symptom of increased anxiety which Keppra can easily cause. In any case a good doctor should have let you know this and suggested further checkups with another doctor to get answers.I say you have the right to request a change to another medication. If you and your doctor can't agree well seek a different doctor (epilepsy specialist if possible). As I always suggest keep track of every medication you try and the effects they have upon seizures and side effects. This becomes useful information the longer you go on in treatment.