Keppra and depression - Epilepsy Message Board

x3soccer · 01-26-2007, 04:54 PM

I dont know if this is just me, but I have experienced a lot of depression and anger since I have gotten on Keppra. I was on Trileptal and I could never concentrate in school so they have put me on Keppra. My concentration is a little better but now I feel soooo depressed and I dont know what to do with myself. I was wondering if anyone who takes Keppra or knows someone who do have had the same side effects. It is so frustrating. Also I have had bad forgetfulness. Im not sure if that is from the meds too or thats how I am. so any feedback is good. thanx for hearing me out.

Karenann12342 · 01-26-2007, 08:20 PM

Hi, my husband was on Keppra, he is almost completely weaned off and is a much happier and less angry person. He would get upset over nothing and later couldn't tell you why. Some people do wonderful on it. He has been on many meds in the last 30 yrs. A lot of them would change his personality. I hope you can find the right one for you.

Travis from MN · 01-26-2007, 08:49 PM

I can say when I was brought from 3000/day to 4000/day mild depression started slowly. It worsened gradually, no real indications of it's increase. I stayed with friends constantly. I called my Dr right away and he waved it off claiming it would go away. SIX WEEKS passed and it had worsened where I felt unsafe alone one night. I ended up checking myself into the ER that night. Basicly I called 911 to be brought to the hospital.

The staff (of the ER) was shocked with my medication levels. I was lucid and fully funcitional. Just the psychological side (mild depression) that was a problem. They could not admit me (to psych) because I was not a threat to myself; and due to the insurance policy I had I was not covered at that hospital. However they instructed me to drop the medication back to 3000 and the problem went away within 24 hours.

HOWEVER, not knowing what my levels were exactly at that time; I can state for a fact in the low 60's and high 50's (recently) I did not have depression problems at 3000/day (last year) like I did back then (over 5 years ago). Those recent blood test results are considered VERY HIGH (above the "approved range"). 45 is the top end for Keppra to provide a reference number. I was eventully lowered slightly on my dose of Keppra (by 375mg) however I cannot tell you the end results. No blood work has been done since the reduction.

I'd say as long as you don't feel a state of depression then keep on. However that symptom, in MY case, came on RIGHT AFTER they increased my dose from 3000 to 4000. That was why I called my Dr (who didn't seem to care). The symptoms were also why I kept myself with friends in case of problems. They could watch out for me and grab the phone and dial the phone if needed.

--Travis

jerrytom · 01-26-2007, 09:11 PM

If you read the possible side effects of Keppra to watch for depression and suisidal thoughts are two of the big ones along whith hallucinations. Anger is another common side effect. I keep all the stuff the pharmacist gives me with all my AEDs. It includes side effects.

Bilbostuff1961 · 01-27-2007, 01:34 PM

I suppose I am lucky, because it seems that Kepra has been my saving grace. I was on 1000 miligrams of Dilantin and about 1000 miligrams of Mysoline a day for over 20 years..The Dilantin took its toll on my balance and of course my gums..I would have break through seizures about every 6 months, and sometimes of course the siezures would break through more often.
I was weaned off the Dilantin and the Mysoline and am on 500 miligrams of Kepra a day..Now I know longer take 14 pills a day, but take two pills..My balance seems to have returned, and my gums are back to normal...(I feel better altogether)...but....
When I first started taking Kepra I was warned by the Dr that my temper might flair up or of course depression might set in..and sure enough in the very beginging (When I was being weaned off the Dilantin)..My kids could drop a pin, and I would be screaming at them. Or driving to work I would get in traffic and suddenly want to jump out of the car and start tossing cars out of the way..(Good thing these things were just little fantasys that ran through my head and not actual action)...after a few months these symptons disappeared...When it finally hit me that the Kepra was actually doing me good was when some guys I work with said, "You don't see to walk like your drunk anymore"...(Again, I had major balance problems)..
I suppose all of our bodies are different though, and it might be the Kepra simply is not right for you...