Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Keppra and suicide threats

Sun, 05/12/2019 - 07:06
I am looking for some help. My husband has been on keppra twice now. The first time was back in November for a month because of a seizure. He had a bad head injury during this seizure so I put all the weirdness down to concussion. The GP stopped the meds as it was a subtheraputic dose. He was started on Keppra again two weeks ago after another seizure = 250mg twice day. Since then life has just gone to hell. He beehaving like he is drunk all the time, he cannot stand upright, he keeps falling over, he is slurring his speech, he is losing track of time, he is doing crazy things like building work during the night and worse of all his depression and suicide threats. His GP told him to stop the Keppra on Friday so he has not taken any more since but he is not getting any better all the symptoms are just as bad as when he was taking it. Does anyone know how long it takes for the keppra to stop causing him problems? We are seeing a neurologist on Tuesday.

Comments

3-7 days. Even the most

Submitted by Onionapple1985@gmail.com on Sun, 2019-05-12 - 22:55
3-7 days. Even the most powerful and intrusive drug will clear by then and side effects gone. If still not gone it's likely not keppra. I been on 3000mg (1500bd) of keppra since 14 and I've never had side effects, I'm also on lamactal and pregabalin, the pregabalin is the only one that I have had very bad side effects from. I'm trying to come of it but withdrawal is bad. I'm.not a doc tho, but I been on loads of diff anticonvulsant s for like 20 years. And I still suffer from like 20 petit mals and hour and about 6-8 grandmals a year

My child's keppra issues (she

Submitted by Amy Jo on Sun, 2019-05-12 - 23:28
My child's keppra issues (she was talking about wanting to die) abated within a day of stopping keppra. She was on the immediate release form of the drug. Generally keppra is metabolized very quickly. The immediate release form has a half life of 6-8 hours (even faster in kids, slower in elderly or someone with kidney disease no idea how extended release factors in). The general rule of thumb is it takes 5.5 half lives on a new dose gets one to a steady state.

Hi wife87, Thank you for

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2019-05-13 - 11:06
Hi wife87, Thank you for sharing your experience. It's important that you to reach out to your husband’s health care provider to further discuss any potential changes in side effects, behaviors, symptoms, or seizure types.For additional information regarding seizure medication and side effects Please visit www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines& https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects  and by visiting,www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/how-medicines-work &  https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/finding-best-dosageIt is common for those living with epilepsy to experiences feelings of depression, https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health/overview-depression  and his & your overall well-being and emotional health is just as important, https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health  , https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsyIt also important for you as a caretaker to make sure you’retaking care of yourself as well. The Wellness Institute  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/our-programs/wellness-institute , provides tools and strategies to better assist your loved one and support you in your important roleSometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy or care for someone with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, and find and give support to each other. Find your local EpilepsyFoundation at epilepsy.com/localsupport  , then contact them to find support groups, events, and programs in your community.If you or your husband ever need to speak with someone immediately, please reach out to our 24/7 toll-free helpline: 1-800-332-1000, https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/247-helpline , contactus@efa.org where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources, provide referrals and additional support, or by calling the national suicide prevention lifeline: 1-800-273-8255,https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.