Seizures and panic/anxiety - Epilepsy Message Board

j2006 · 08-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Hope someone can advise........

I have been on Keppra for a month now. My side effects are gone. I am sleeping better and starting to feel good.

Before being diagnosed with seizures I was told it was panic disorder. I have been told that these episodes were not panic attacks they were seizures. I believe them but I also believe that I have panic as well. My seizures are from sleep apnea.

I would like to go on a SSRI or some type of anit deprsnt.

As needed I take klonopin for Panic but don;t want to rely on it for relieving my symtoms.

Anyone know if you can safely take an SSRI while on Keppra? Can you take SSRIs if you have seizures.

any advise I would apreciate.

Jane

j2006 · 08-11-2007, 11:41 AM

i have tried therapy for my panic. I didn't get anything out of it. I did read a few books that helped for many months but now is back. -I don't really have anxiety - mine is more panic. I just can't seem to snap out of it.

I have taken meds for this before but now that I am diagnosed with seizures not sure if i can take those types of meds.

Sherri5186 · 08-11-2007, 01:51 PM

Hi j2006,

I can tell you that both my neurologists didn't seem to hesitate
about putting me on anti-depressants,so most people must be able
to take them.When I was on Prozac and WellbutrinXL they never
made me have anymore seizures than normal.But,I can also tell you
that they never worked for me,only made me worse as far as the
depression.I don't know if it might have the combination with my
seizures meds.,my doctors never mentioned it to me,if it was.

Good-luck,Sherri

neurowreck · 08-12-2007, 09:35 AM

Yikes, Wellbutrin is known for increasing seizures- the neuro should have known that....glad you didn't have any problems with it.

Sherri5186 · 08-12-2007, 04:13 PM

Hi,

I did,it didn't increase my seizures,but,I had suicidal thoughts,
and cried for hours some days.I weaned myself off of that one,
because my doctor wouldn't.She said,she would feel better if I
went to see a psychiatrist and make sure it wasn't the med. that
gave those thoughts.I could not afford to see one at the time,it was
while I was still waiting upon approval for disability.When I told her
I stopped taking it,she put me on the Ativan,and she now says she
is glad she did,everyone in her office can see a difference in me.She
also said,that she doesn't normally agree or support patients taking
their selves off any medicine,but,that she is also glad that I did.

Take care,Sherri