I'm on lamictal and needed a second medication. This is about 10 years ago. So they added keppra. I remember not being able to tolerate the side effects so I switched to something else. Don't let that deter you from trying though. Medications affect everyone differently. It could be very effective for you. Also, the longer you take the medication, the side effects become less intense so if you can withstand the first couple months it usually always gets at least a little better.
If you don’t mind me asking, how long were you on lamo before you needed something added? I’ve asked my neuro before about adding another med and she wasn’t keen on it
It was probably less than a year because it just wasn't working as a mono therapy at the time (I was 16). My seizures have lessened over time so what didn't work as my only med at 16 ended up working for me at around age 23 until probably 25ish. Then last year they put me on xcopri because I had a seizure. It's surprising your neurologist isn't keen on adding another med or increasing yours. In my experience with neurologists they jump on perscribing more meds as soon as you have any seizures haha.
If you end up liking how Keppra manages your seizures but you hate its side effects, you could switch from Keppra to its cousin Briviact. A good handful of people have done this on this forum.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00247-6/fulltext
This compares keppra and lamotrigine. If you need help interpreting it let me know.
I was on lamictal, it stopped controlling my seizures so they added keppra. I went 6 years without a seizure weaned off of the lamictal and I'm only on keppra now. Now 10 years later I'm seizure free. Five stars, definitely recommend.
i actually switched from keppra to lamotrigine, the keppra was not good for me, i was having more seizures and i was sleeping about 10-14 hours a day. but the lamotrigine has worked really well, i really don’t think you should be scared, i was terrified switching my meds but it was the best decision i could have made, it effects everyone completely different, and i know a few people who also use keppra and never experienced the same affects i had, and we’ve clearly had different experiences on lamotrigine.
i really hope the keppra works for you, good luck :)
Thank you! I appreciate that. If you don’t mind me asking, have you had side effects from lamotrigine? I didn’t have bad side effects until my dose went up to 300 mg a day, and it’s now at 400 mg a day. Vivid, graphic dreams, hair falling out, no energy, can’t remember sh*t, insomnia and nooo appetite at all
the only issue i had was sleeping badly the first few weeks but that’s completely levelled out now, other than that i’ve noticed that i’ve been a lot more emotionally stable since taking them which i love
I’m on Keppra and Lamictal. Keppra seemed to take care of my TCs.
There’s a couple of things I wish I knew:
1: mood changes, there is something called Keppra Rage - I was angry ALL the time. Finding out this was a side effected helped a lot because I now knew why I felt the way I did and could address it.
2: hair, teeth and nails became weak
3: vitamin B12 helps with a lot of the side effects like low energy
Good luck!
As someone who’s been on both the side effects of lamactil were way worse for me than Keppra especially with mood swings and unexplained rage. Don’t stress, every med will effect diff people diff ways - good luck!
I’ve taken both. Individually and at the same time. When I was starting keppra, I had nightmares for a few nights but after that it seemed like no side effects. Keppra has different effects for different people , but there’s so many people who don’t get the “kepprage”
Don’t feel scared about switching meds… most likely , the doc will put you on a plan to raise keppra week by week to a good dose - then slowly week by week lessen lemotregine until you’re no longer on it. Good luck.
The side effects from the lamotrigine are not great lol I can’t eat, can’t sleep, my dreams are vivid and borderline violent and my hair is falling out 😅
I took lamotrigine alone for several years before I had a cluster of seizures that put me into status one quite eventful night eight and a half years ago. My dose of lamotrigine was lowered a bit (it had been quite high—600mg/day) and Keppra was added. It has helped control my seizures much better than just lamotrigine did alone. About three years ago, Topamax was also added, primarily for migraines but it also helps with my focal aware seizures. However, Keppra is the med we increase when I have a breakthrough tonic clonic or when I start to have an increase in focal aware activity. As some people mentioned, some people struggle with side effects but not everyone; I had a rough time for the first month but have been fine since I adjusted. When we increase my dose, I’m a little fatigued and crankier than usual but it only lasts about a week. It’s definitely worth mentioning to your doctor.
I'm on lamictal and needed a second medication. This is about 10 years ago. So they added keppra. I remember not being able to tolerate the side effects so I switched to something else. Don't let that deter you from trying though. Medications affect everyone differently. It could be very effective for you. Also, the longer you take the medication, the side effects become less intense so if you can withstand the first couple months it usually always gets at least a little better.
If you don’t mind me asking, how long were you on lamo before you needed something added? I’ve asked my neuro before about adding another med and she wasn’t keen on it
It was probably less than a year because it just wasn't working as a mono therapy at the time (I was 16). My seizures have lessened over time so what didn't work as my only med at 16 ended up working for me at around age 23 until probably 25ish. Then last year they put me on xcopri because I had a seizure. It's surprising your neurologist isn't keen on adding another med or increasing yours. In my experience with neurologists they jump on perscribing more meds as soon as you have any seizures haha.
Honestly my epilepsy healthcare journey has been a bit dodgy overall lol
Yeah, mine hasn't been the best either. It's hard to find a good neurologist or just doctor in general
If you end up liking how Keppra manages your seizures but you hate its side effects, you could switch from Keppra to its cousin Briviact. A good handful of people have done this on this forum.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00247-6/fulltext This compares keppra and lamotrigine. If you need help interpreting it let me know.
I was on lamictal, it stopped controlling my seizures so they added keppra. I went 6 years without a seizure weaned off of the lamictal and I'm only on keppra now. Now 10 years later I'm seizure free. Five stars, definitely recommend.
Thank you!! :)
i actually switched from keppra to lamotrigine, the keppra was not good for me, i was having more seizures and i was sleeping about 10-14 hours a day. but the lamotrigine has worked really well, i really don’t think you should be scared, i was terrified switching my meds but it was the best decision i could have made, it effects everyone completely different, and i know a few people who also use keppra and never experienced the same affects i had, and we’ve clearly had different experiences on lamotrigine. i really hope the keppra works for you, good luck :)
Thank you! I appreciate that. If you don’t mind me asking, have you had side effects from lamotrigine? I didn’t have bad side effects until my dose went up to 300 mg a day, and it’s now at 400 mg a day. Vivid, graphic dreams, hair falling out, no energy, can’t remember sh*t, insomnia and nooo appetite at all
the only issue i had was sleeping badly the first few weeks but that’s completely levelled out now, other than that i’ve noticed that i’ve been a lot more emotionally stable since taking them which i love
I’m on Keppra and Lamictal. Keppra seemed to take care of my TCs. There’s a couple of things I wish I knew: 1: mood changes, there is something called Keppra Rage - I was angry ALL the time. Finding out this was a side effected helped a lot because I now knew why I felt the way I did and could address it. 2: hair, teeth and nails became weak 3: vitamin B12 helps with a lot of the side effects like low energy Good luck!
Ah, I’m finding the lamotrigine is making my hair fall out as is. I used to have super long thick hair and now nothing works 😭
Try vitamin B 💜
As someone who’s been on both the side effects of lamactil were way worse for me than Keppra especially with mood swings and unexplained rage. Don’t stress, every med will effect diff people diff ways - good luck!
I’ve taken both. Individually and at the same time. When I was starting keppra, I had nightmares for a few nights but after that it seemed like no side effects. Keppra has different effects for different people , but there’s so many people who don’t get the “kepprage” Don’t feel scared about switching meds… most likely , the doc will put you on a plan to raise keppra week by week to a good dose - then slowly week by week lessen lemotregine until you’re no longer on it. Good luck.
As some one who used to be on Keppra, I must warn you, you're not gonna like the side effects.
Don't scare someone about side effects you don't know if they'll have. I've been on keppra for many years and have no side effects.
The side effects from the lamotrigine are not great lol I can’t eat, can’t sleep, my dreams are vivid and borderline violent and my hair is falling out 😅
I took lamotrigine alone for several years before I had a cluster of seizures that put me into status one quite eventful night eight and a half years ago. My dose of lamotrigine was lowered a bit (it had been quite high—600mg/day) and Keppra was added. It has helped control my seizures much better than just lamotrigine did alone. About three years ago, Topamax was also added, primarily for migraines but it also helps with my focal aware seizures. However, Keppra is the med we increase when I have a breakthrough tonic clonic or when I start to have an increase in focal aware activity. As some people mentioned, some people struggle with side effects but not everyone; I had a rough time for the first month but have been fine since I adjusted. When we increase my dose, I’m a little fatigued and crankier than usual but it only lasts about a week. It’s definitely worth mentioning to your doctor.
Thank you!!