Seizures...

[bluck]

Hey all,

Over the last year I have been suffering from seizures, they mainly happen during my sleep and how I know is I wake up with blood all over and my tongue basically shredded.

Anyways... a couple weeks ago I believe I had one in my sleep and I was extrmely tired during the day. I took a nap on the couch that afternoon and I guess I had another one. I woke up with the paramedics beside me injecting me with a shot of morphine then got taken to the hospital.

Long story short.. the doctor perscriped levetiracetam to me 1000mg.. (Keppra) I have been on it for a week and a half now and the side effects are absolutely brutal. I have zero energy, always feel tired and when I get home from work the first thing I want to do is nap. Also experience irritability as well. I feel like I would rather have the seizures then be on these meds because of how tired they make me feel.

Does anyone on CP have any experience with this? I would appreciate some feedback suggesting certain things that may have worked for others which I could potentially try out.

Thanks everyone,

Bluck

[AcGold]

CBD extracts have been found to help people with seizures, not all people but a significant percentage. Plus side is there are no side effects. That probably won't be your solution but good luck with your ailment.

[SHOGUN]

I have no experiences with seizures but if you cannot stand the side effects, I suggest you to talk to your doctor about lowering the dosage. If that does not work, look to explore other medications that best suit you.

[4X4]

My ex is epileptic. She's spent the last few years refining the exact cocktail of medications that keep the seizures at bay, and don't f*** with her during the day. I imagine that your neurologist already explained to you that each person will ultimately end up on a different combination of drugs, at different doses. After witnessing it first hand, you certainly have my sympathy, but unfortunately, I'm pretty sure you're in for a year or two of "adjustments" and "trials" to figure out which drugs work the best and have the least amount of side effects - for you.

[Machiavelli]

Just please speak with your neurologist before stopping anything. There are other anticonvulsant medications out there, and you should discuss other options with the specialist.

[Street Pharmacist]

Many other options, don't give up. Depending on the type of seizure, there's lots of options.

Nothing is perfect, but there's a lot more to try. Don't stop this one yet until you see your Dr though. Typically though, the drowsiness gets better with time as people are on it longer from my experience

[JeanLucPicard]

When you say "doctor perscribed", do you mean a Neurologist? If so, then I'm assuming you've had all those scans done - including EEG? And were you given a detailed talk by your Neurologist about what is wrong specifically in the brain and what will be course and dosage of drugs?

My mother has a specific neuron that over-fires and causes seizures. However she is on a daily dose of a Carbamezepine 200 mg and she does not get seizures anymore. Initially she had side effects like nausea and tiredness but over time (few months) they were gone.

So what I'd say is, if you've not already done so, is ask your family doctor to refer you to a neurologist, have all the checks done, get a drug prescribed to you with proper dosage, and follow up with the neurologist whenever he/she says so.

[Bagor]

If I recall correctly there is a seizure unit in the foothills where they bring you in, hook you up to EEG for the week with cameras on you so they can get a pretty clear/ more accurate picture what exactly is going on, or what part of the brain the seizure is originating from.

No idea what the criteria is for referral/admission though. Maybe worth asking your neurologist about.

[CaptainYooh]

Sent you a PM

[bluck]

Just an update.

I met with one of the top epilepsy doctors in the city. As soon as I sat down with him, the first thing he said was we're taking you off keppra right away. He said a person of my age should never have even been on that drug in the first place. Said that the side affects are even worse for someone 18-30 then someone older. He switched me to a 40 year old drug called Dilantin. WOW. What a change. The last month and a half has been 10X better for me. I'm no longer an a-hole to everyone all the time and I can actually sleep since it makes me drowsy. I take 300MG before I want to sleep and within an hour or 2 I pass out. Haven't had a seizure since and have been feeling a lot better as well. Thanks everyone for your feedback, still hoping to find out the cause of why I'm getting them.

[FlamesAddiction]

Some people use Valerian Root to help control seizures. Your condition sounds pretty serious though, so I wouldn't suggest using it as a stand-alone medication or a substitution. Obviously talk to a doctor to se if he or she thinks it was help. I take it for its anti-depressant/anxiety qualities and haven't noticed any negative side-effects.

Also, glad to hear you are feeling better.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by bluck

Just an update.

I met with one of the top epilepsy doctors in the city. As soon as I sat down with him, the first thing he said was we're taking you off keppra right away. He said a person of my age should never have even been on that drug in the first place. Said that the side affects are even worse for someone 18-30 then someone older. He switched me to a 40 year old drug called Dilantin. WOW. What a change. The last month and a half has been 10X better for me. I'm no longer an a-hole to everyone all the time and I can actually sleep since it makes me drowsy. I take 300MG before I want to sleep and within an hour or 2 I pass out. Haven't had a seizure since and have been feeling a lot better as well. Thanks everyone for your feedback, still hoping to find out the cause of why I'm getting them.

Possible reaction to an accumulative neurotoxin you came in contact with years ago. Glad to know you're doing better, hopefully you can live free of side effects. I know you probably know this but; big warning is never take 2 psychoactive medications at the same time as the side effects can be permanent and life altering in a horrible way. Good luck with everything

[Daradon]

I am so happy for you that you've been able to find a little relief! I remember the original post and I wanted to send my sympathies but whatever I wrote just sounded stupid. Sometimes there are no words.

[Wastedyouth]

Wow. There has to be some underlying neuro issue. Somehow I don't think you just start having vicious seizures.

Let's get House in here!

Edit: d'oh, somehow skipped over the update. Congrats on getting the seizures under control. But do they still not know the cause?

[CaptainYooh]

Glad things are getting better for you.

One more thing: have a good look into ketogenic diet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet). This is a non-medicinal way to help control seizures. It can be very effective, if done right. Discuss it with your neurologist.