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Keppra/Topomax mix?
Tue, 09/19/2006 - 15:29Topic: Medication Issues
Hey guys,
Quick question: Does anyone take keppra and topomax together? If so, what for and what dosages? How are you feeling? Thanks!!!
Comments
Re: Keppra/Topomax mix?
Submitted by kjd on Sat, 2006-09-23 - 10:37
Bjoy-
My situation is the exact opposite of godiva girl. I started on Keppra by itself first at 2000 mg after switching from depakote. I know its labeled for it, but in my opinion Keppra is NOT a good med by itself! Caused major anxiety attacks and headaches so bad it put me in the ER 8 times. Did wonders for my seizures, though. Neuro added 150 mg of Topomax. I consider Topomax to be the wonder drug! I call them my 6 new little best friends. topomax helped calm Keppra down, took away headaches, and also lost 35 lbs I had gained on Depakote. Also take 75 mg Effexor to help with anxiety of Keppra. Only side effect I don't like is topomax makes things like sweet stuff (soda) and mint taste bad. Makes me want to brush my teeth a lot. also can't take Keppra within 4 hrs of bedtime otherwise I can't sleep. With these two meds I don't have any of the grogginess o brain numbess that you have with other AEDs. Again, each med works different for everybody.
Kelly
Re: Re: Keppra/Topomax mix?
Submitted by GodivaGirl on Sat, 2006-09-23 - 11:54
Kelly,
Quick tip since Topomax is working for you (glad to hear that by the way!) - drink a tonn of water and gatorade.
It will mess with hydration a bit. When I first started it, I got told to drink way extra water than normal.
Also - it is a side effect that all carbonated drinks (pop, soda water, etc.) taste like metal.
Quick update for the 2 of you - my neuro thinks that the birth control (Minestrin) might be messing things up, so he has me going off that - I see my family doctor October 11th to see what to do about that.
I also find as I adjust the mood swings are a bit less intense & that the gym membership has REALLY helped a lot. Just got back from bodyflow (tai-chi, yoga, pilates all in one)
As my boyfriend, neuro and I do agree the seizure control is worth battling the mood swings a bit longer, especially going off Minestrin (yes, there is back up in place). In 3 months I check back in with my neuro again. If things are still okay, then he might reduce the Topomax. Time will tell. I just wish they both were not so expensive. $500 canadian a month on meds is brutal. Luckily I have 80% coverage, but it's still killer to my visa.
Erin
Re: Keppra/Topomax mix?
Submitted by GodivaGirl on Tue, 2006-09-19 - 20:26
Keep in mind I also take 10mg of clobazam with the mix. However yes, I take 100mg of Topomax 2 x daily and 500mg of Keppra 2 x daily. Keppra was added in 3 mths ago. Topomax I've been on for 3 years. What I find is some days I'm happy, other days I want to kill everyone I see including me. I've put back on the weight I lost going on to Topomax and now the mix does nothing for headaches (topomax stand alone was awesome for that). Thankfully, I see my neuro tomorrow so hopefully he'll fix something. Really, to be honest I don't think those 2 drugs belong together. That's just me though Side effects wise they suck. Seizure control wise, that's improved. You gotta look at what's more important, I guess. I'd rather go back to a seizure every month (instead of one every 3) and knock off the side effects myself. Hope this helps Erin p.s. Oh ya, and I also take birth control pills, dunno if that impacts the mood swings too?