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Switch to Keppra?
Wed, 11/17/2004 - 18:04My husband has had epilepsy for over 19 years. He does not have a "defined" epilepy. Even his epilepsy specialist can only define it as "most likely primary". So he has always been a "blanket" anti-convulsants - that cover primary and secondary (most recently Depakote). He had been regulated for the last 5 years on 500 mg of Depakote daily. He had a grand mal seizure recently, followed by another one 59 days later. Both times they increased his Depakote to the point where the side effects make it very difficult. The hair loss and weight gain are tolerable - the short term memory loss is not.
We went to see his epilepsy specialist (the one who got him straightened out over 5 years ago) and he feels that he is as regulated as he can be on the Depakote. He made the comment that drugs have gotten better since 1978 when they introduced Depakote. I asked what he would recommend and he said Keppra. My husband, at first vehemently apposed switching meds - it is always a nightmare - is now contemplating it.
For those on Keppra or who have switched to it, what are your experiences - bad or good?
Comments
RE: Switch to Keppra?
Submitted by Elena on Tue, 2004-11-16 - 13:08
I have a good experience with Keppra. I am taking it about 2 month. It is new for me, but much better than some other medications (Topamax or Lamictal).
I had problems with Keppra in the first month, but they finished. Problems were that I couldn't sleep well, I was nervous sometimes and my bones and joints hurt me.
When I started to drink a tea in the evening, sleeplessness stopped. In this tea are Valerian (Valerianae radix), Hop (Lupuli flos), Balm (Melissae folium) and Peppermint (menthae piperitae folium). I am writing you about this tea, because many of us who takes Keppra have problems with sleeping. So, maybe your husband will also have. But, it will also stop. I don't have any more sleeplessness. I have also less seizures and I am very satisfied with this medication. Bones and joints hurt me, because antiepileptic medications take more Calcium from our body. So, I am taking also more Calcium (from food and tablets).
Also, my other problems (which I had it with other medications) stopped. I work better, again eat normally, I have better sex life, my mood is betterÂ…
So, I hope that your husband will also live better with that medication. We have to try new solutions, if we want to live good, normal life.
Bye Hill!
Elena
I have a good experience with Keppra. I am taking it about 2 month. It is new for me, but much better than some other medications (Topamax or Lamictal).
I had problems with Keppra in the first month, but they finished. Problems were that I couldn't sleep well, I was nervous sometimes and my bones and joints hurt me.
When I started to drink a tea in the evening, sleeplessness stopped. In this tea are Valerian (Valerianae radix), Hop (Lupuli flos), Balm (Melissae folium) and Peppermint (menthae piperitae folium). I am writing you about this tea, because many of us who takes Keppra have problems with sleeping. So, maybe your husband will also have. But, it will also stop. I don't have any more sleeplessness. I have also less seizures and I am very satisfied with this medication. Bones and joints hurt me, because antiepileptic medications take more Calcium from our body. So, I am taking also more Calcium (from food and tablets).
Also, my other problems (which I had it with other medications) stopped. I work better, again eat normally, I have better sex life, my mood is betterÂ…
So, I hope that your husband will also live better with that medication. We have to try new solutions, if we want to live good, normal life.
Bye Hill!
Elena
RE: Switch to Keppra?
Submitted by Willsmom on Tue, 2004-11-16 - 09:14
I believe that Keppra is meant to be an add on drug, and works well with most other drugs which is great. Keppra definately stopped My son's myoclonic jerks. It did not prevent Grand Mal seizures, and at a high to medium dose may have been contributing to the seizures.The most noticeable effect of Keppra at a high to medium dose had been how tired and lethargic my Son has been. He has not been able to function in a normal manner on Keppra. He is unable to wake in the morning and is tired ( but not sleepy) all day. He has not been able to concentrate and has lost the will to accomplish things.As his dose of Keppra decreases this is improving. For my son Keppra in large to medium doses has not been a good experience.