Have you tried Tegretol? I have noticed not only my seizures decreasing, but also my moods, energy, pain is less, etc...

That's what I would suggest personally!

Thank you! I might go see my doc and see if he'll have me try it.

I just read the side effects, not sure if he will suggest it. but I will talk to him about it.

My pleasure!

I am not really 100% up to date on the side effects because when I was first started on it, it was a really bad situation...I had a few really bad seizures, so bad I was falling into sinks and pulling them out of walls. So I was started on it...it did not control them more than 50% (which was about May of last year that I started), and then in October of last year, so nearly a year now, I had a really, really rough series of seizures, beginning with one massive one in the middle of a drug store, that landed me in the ICU for about six days...after that hospitalization and dosage increase, I went from October until May with absolutely no seizures.

Anyhow, my point is that when I started it, I had no side effects at all. Obviously we are all different, but you get my point!

It really, really has helped me with so many things than just my seizures. It has helped with the chronic nerve pain disorder I have in my right arm (I barely have any issues at all now!) I sleep a hell of a lot better (excuse my language). It just has helped to increase my quality of life so much!

So yeah, I would definitely mention it to him! I was told that it is a really old anti-seizure medication, so it is very well known.

I was on Keppra in 2009 when my seizures first started and it did nothing for me. I actually could only take one specific manufacturer made pill of it because the others had terrible side effects...every time I had to have a refill done, I had to call the pharmacy days ahead of time so they could order that specific type! I was visiting my dad and stepmom out of state for a few weeks and when I got the refill done at a Walgreens in NC (I live in MD), it was a different manufacturer and within an hour it had me completely messed up!

Sorry for the book, lol... :)

Don't worry, I tend to write alot too. I'm sorry you have struggled so badly. I'm happy you found something that works! I'm just sooo nervous because I am super sensative to meds, I react to almost everything now, it drives me nuts. I can't even tolerate antibiotics. I'm just so scared of all these meds. my migraines and head pressure went away emmediately, but now my emotions are way off. I know one way or another I will have some sort of side effect. It's just really hard when you have a family it effects. I will talk to him about it and see if there is a better choice for me.

This sounds all to firmillar to me. I don't have IBS but keppra did the exact same thing to me. As far as seizure control. it did absolutely nothing. I use to get very aggressive then very sensitive moods would change like fliping a switch. I definitly had the Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde thing going for sure. Also experienced sever insomnia. Almost a week with no sleep. I went to the neuros office with no appt was angry & upset about the no sleep & demanded to be put on something else. Got some fast action they don't like upset patints in front of other patients. Here is where I agree with Cowgirl. I was then put on Tegretol have been doing good ever since. Of course with any Seizure med you may get breaktru Seizures no med can prevent every single one. The only side effect i had was double vision. They lowered the dosage a bit & then it was fine. The thing with Tegretol is a dual purpose med. I think the other purpose is for headaches. not 100% sure though.

Jason

Hi~ I take Keppra as well but found that the Depakote was what made me a walking zombie. The combination of the two may not be the right pair. I take Dilantin, Keppra and Topamaz and so far this is the best combination for me. Most anti seizure drugs will effect us emotionally because they effect that center of the brain. The anger, if it's off the charts type anger is something you need to talk to your doctor about now. I can honestly say that I asked my doctor if because my mood changes and I forget things and change my mind about other things one day to the next can I come off as crazy?? His answer was absolutely! LOL The reality is we aren't...
God Bless....

Keppra messed me up as well. I do have IBS and the only one that has ever worked for me is Lyrica. Unfortunately only worked of a bout a year. Now looking to see what else they can do for me as well. But On lyrica I felt better than I have ever felt in my life for that year at least.

There is an important fact that many people may not be aware of. Anyone taking any type of anti seizure medication should ONLY take the BRAND name of that medication and NOT the GENERIC. There is a difference and research has proven it. The same goes for certain anti depressant medications. However, the brand of the anti seizure drug is the purest of that specific medication. There are slight differences in either strength, variety and materials used in processing among other things in the generic brand and it has been found that the generic brand can trigger a seizure to occur. It has happened to twice already. Talk to your doctor about it but if you find you are still struggling after taking a certain medication for a while, I would check to see if I'm taking the generic brand or the Brand name first and then go from there. It could make all the difference in the world.

Thanks teachpre, I am on a generic of Keppra right now. I might look into a name brand. I agree with you, I can't handle most generics and have actually been really suprised that the anger has been the only issue. Although i'm having more headaches and pressure this week. I am under some stress this week, but still try to rest and I've been outside more, that helps. I'm trying really hard to keep the anger under control, I haven't been yelling as much, I just leave the room for a while and collect myself for a moment. I know this may sound weird, but this is very unusual for me so that's why I'm so concerned with it. Thanks so much for the support, I really need it.

Not a problem....I become more emotional since I've been on Keppra but it works for me. I have also realized I can become angry quicker than I have in the past which is also out of character for me same as you. I tend to be very mellow and usually let many things not bother me at all. Every now wnd then something will and my reaction will appear as an over reaction to others because they aren't used to my reaction in that manner.
All the way around, there is no denying with epilepsy and any type of seizure disorder one needs to be aware of their own body all the time inside and out. It starts from the top down. These meds are powerful and meant to work on specific areas of the brain which controls the rest of our body. Lots of research has shown generic meds can cause a seizure and it has with me. If you have insurance, just ask your doctor to make sure he/she writes the Rx for the non-generic script otherwise it's expensive. I you don't have insurance, perhaps there is something else that may work better in combination with the Keppra.
I still feel the best way for anything to change is for more people to learn about themselves, their body, what effects it positively and negatively for improvements in quality of life overall. It's worked for me. I joined this site to help but also to learn and I'm so happy I did! I find everyone very uplifting and we all need that!! God Bless!!

I've have been on keppra and topamax for a years but doc started me on a new med that came just came out a coup. years ago call vimpat. You real have to start slow it will make you sick to your stomach. I had to lay in bed for 2 hours at 25mg 1st time and now im up to 200mg twice daily but last seizure I had was 3 week ago and I have them weekly. I am angry and blow up alot. Thought I was just me lol. My son tell my husband did mom give you The Look if something was said wrong!! Stay up until 3am watching the new or Storage Wars on TV. Read all the replys and can relate. Been on meds for so long and so many diffent. I dont think of side eff... I forget about them. ( Mabee thats my prob..) But there is a med call Vimpat ask doc if right for you or anyone!!

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times but it tends to fall on deaf ears for anyone who does not have to deal with what we do.....They have a very hard time believeing what they cannot see. Bizzare behavior, explosive and angry outbursts from out of the blue that make no sense fall into this category as well. I'll have to check out that medication....thanks! I see my Dr. next week.

Be well!

I was the same way on Keppra. My doctor had to take me off it. i am taking Lamictal now and feel better. My doctor did warn me that my dose had to be increased slowly because one of the side effects of Lamictal is a terrible rash.
I started at 100 mg and it was just double to 200 mg.

Thanks everyone, I am so glad I am not alone! I feel so out of it. Last night, I'm not sure if it was a seizure or med related but after putting my kids to bed I just sat down and started crying uncontrolably. Nothing happended, my kids went to bed fine, I just could not stop crying and my dog went nuts, she kept trying to get my attention and started jumping in my lap and licking me, this lasted for about an hour and I finally went to bed. I didn't tell my husband. If I say anything to anyone they tell me to call my doctor right away, but I am tired of this, I don't want to switch meds again, I don't want to take a med that upsets my stomach, because any med that has that as a side effect I get it, but times 10, it's soooo bad for me. This morning I woke up feeling ok, but my memory has been aweful. I forgot what time my son got out of school and he ended up waiting for me for a half an hour, my husband freaked out worried something happened to me. I just don't kno how to handle this.