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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PeggyY on March 1, 2004, at 11:59:24
I've posted a few times asking for input on Keppra. I don't know if it is too new to get feedback on other peoples reactions. I am very concerend about the side effects that I have read about. I have read that people get increased depression, anger outbursts and weight gain. I am already prone to outbursts and irritability so I am concerned.
Anybody have ANY experience at all. I would really appreciate some feedback.
Peggy
Posted by platinumbride on March 1, 2004, at 13:21:43
In reply to ANYBODY on Keppra?????, posted by PeggyY on March 1, 2004, at 11:59:24
> I've posted a few times asking for input on Keppra.
So have I but no dice. I am on it....have been for like 2 months at the max dose of 3000 mgs/day. Frankly, I don't feel as if my mood is stablized at all.
I don't know if it is too new to get feedback on other peoples reactions. I am very concerend about the side effects that I have read about. I have read that people get increased depression, anger outbursts and weight gain. I am already prone to outbursts and irritability so I am concerned.
I didn't know about these side effects, but I have been having a lot of anger outbursts now that you mention it......I don't know if it is the med or just me. My weight seems to have stayed the same....this means I am still obese!
Increased depression: Again, I can't say if it is the med or if it is me, but I am crying at the drop of a hat lately. So I guess my assessment is that thus far, this has not proven to be an effective mood stablizer. My shrink is big on working with it because it is supposed to be a cognitive enhancer.....well, frankly, I am so agitated, that I am taking klonopin and neurontin a lot; both cognitive dullers in my mind....
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm
I found this yesterday, and the bit on keppra didn't seem to make it a "tried and true" MS.Have you done a stint with lamictal?
It is getting rave reviews all over. I did it for quite a while.... I stopped it. It didn't really seem to be working for me.
Please keep me posted and I will do the same for you.
I hope I have been of help to you.
You, by default, perhaps, have been of great help to me....."am i bitching at my husband all the time and having intense crying jags because of keppra????" Food for thought.
Damn, but I'm pissed that I just bought a 3 month supply!!!!!Diane
>
> Anybody have ANY experience at all. I would really appreciate some feedback.
>
> Peggy
Posted by PeggyY on March 1, 2004, at 14:04:19
In reply to Re: ANYBODY on Keppra?????, posted by platinumbride on March 1, 2004, at 13:21:43
Thanks for the input Dianne. I appreciate your response. I guess I am just going to have to "try" this and wait and see what happens. I hate that part. New medication, wait a few weeks, maybe a month, then realize your a mess because of it, have to go off and try something else. The constant off this on that, am I ever going to be balanced?!
I tried lamictal and it caused me to have severe itching all over, I would scratch my arms in my sleep and wake up bleeding. So, never knew if the med was good for me but couldn't take it because of the side effects.
I guess your mood swings and losing your temper would be something to talk to your dr about. Based on my limited research it could possibly be the Keppra.
Posted by sjb on March 3, 2004, at 8:29:07
In reply to Re: ANYBODY on Keppra?????Diane, posted by PeggyY on March 1, 2004, at 14:04:19
When did your itching start and at what dosage? I just started Lamictal an 25mg and I've noticed some itching but certainly not to the extent you experienced. I'm just concerned that it will get worse as I go up in dosage. I, too, am just so frustrated. I'm supposed to wait 6 weeks this time. I've gained so much weight this winter, I just hide, isolate and cry. Right now I'm crying over and animal story. I hate this world and all it's cruelty and the intense pressure in our culture to look a certain way. I just wish I'd die already. I can't take this anymore.
Posted by PeggyY on March 3, 2004, at 14:03:38
In reply to Re: ANYBODY on Keppra?????Diane - Lamictal, posted by sjb on March 3, 2004, at 8:29:07
Dianne:
I know how you feel. Only I can't cry, I can't laugh, I don't experience joy , only depression. My medications have made me flat and numb. You can still feel . That is great!!!
I'll tell you what has helped me lately. The sun has been out for three days in a row, and it has rained all winter here. I have gone to the park and walked three miles both Monday and Tuesday. Getting outside and doing a brisk walk helps with serotonin levels. Even if you don't feel like leaving the house. I had a depressed winter and I gained back a lot of weight. Last year I was really motivated and got in great shape. I was exercising 6 days a week. These past few months it has been a chore to get out of bed and take a shower.
Spring is almost here, maybe the sunshine will help a bit. Plus exercise. Hang in there!!! I wouldn't worry about the lamictal, not everybody has the itching reaction.
Posted by platinumbride on March 4, 2004, at 23:41:32
In reply to Re: ANYBODY on Keppra?????Diane - Lamictal, posted by PeggyY on March 3, 2004, at 14:03:38
Thanks so much for such a kind posting. Soemtimes one has to ask oneself whether feeling too much is better than feeling nothing at all. Each has its disadvantages. I'd really like to resemble myself from hour to hour and day to day :) And the crying and anger adn then super-happiness and energy gets to be old as well!
Is it possible that your meds need to be adjusted or do you just react to medication this way.....sort of all or nothing?
Funny that you mention getting out and gaining weight. I've gained a lot too and have been trying to get moving as well. I know, also, what it is like to have so little motivation that even daily grooming or getting out of bed is just not possible on some days.
I hope that getting out and walking starts to help you have more good days than bad ones...
Diane
Oh, by the way...I was on lamictal without seeing any relief from the moodswings. I never got the rash, but I never got relief either.
Dianne:
>
> I know how you feel. Only I can't cry, I can't laugh, I don't experience joy , only depression. My medications have made me flat and numb. You can still feel . That is great!!!
>
> I'll tell you what has helped me lately. The sun has been out for three days in a row, and it has rained all winter here. I have gone to the park and walked three miles both Monday and Tuesday. Getting outside and doing a brisk walk helps with serotonin levels. Even if you don't feel like leaving the house. I had a depressed winter and I gained back a lot of weight. Last year I was really motivated and got in great shape. I was exercising 6 days a week. These past few months it has been a chore to get out of bed and take a shower.
>
> Spring is almost here, maybe the sunshine will help a bit. Plus exercise. Hang in there!!! I wouldn't worry about the lamictal, not everybody has the itching reaction.
Posted by PeggyY on March 5, 2004, at 14:37:09
In reply to Re: ANYBODY on Keppra?????Diane - Lamictal, posted by platinumbride on March 4, 2004, at 23:41:32
Hi Diane:
So I assume from your description of what you experience emotionally you are Bi-polar also?
I guess I have been flat so long that I've forgotten how extreme those ups and downs can be. I have a new DR, the one that put me on Keppra. I only saw him just a week ago, but he has made some changes in my medication to see if we can't get me to experience at least some positive emotion or joy!
He put me on Keppra and Wellbutrin XL. I suppose that is part of why I have felt a little better this week too. That is the only thing that can account for my getting motivated to exercise.
I am sorry you are still suffering those extremes. I hope you are having a better day today. Are you on a mood stabilizer?
Peggy
Posted by platinumbride on March 5, 2004, at 15:44:56
In reply to Re: ANYBODY on Keppra?????Diane - Lamictal, posted by PeggyY on March 5, 2004, at 14:37:09
> Hi Diane:
>
> So I assume from your description of what you experience emotionally you are Bi-polar also?
Yes, but it is BP II.
>
> I guess I have been flat so long that I've forgotten how extreme those ups and downs can be. I have a new DR, the one that put me on Keppra. I only saw him just a week ago, but he has made some changes in my medication to see if we can't get me to experience at least some positive emotion or joy!
>
> He put me on Keppra and Wellbutrin XL. I suppose that is part of why I have felt a little better this week too. That is the only thing that can account for my getting motivated to exercise.
> Hey, my doc put me on the same!!! But we dropped the Keppra and are adding trileptal as a mood stablizer, because keppra's not working as a mood stablizer. I also agreed to try the whole fish oil thing.....why not, if it will help, I guess.
> I am sorry you are still suffering those extremes. I hope you are having a better day today.
I feel a bit better, but I also feel ready to "go at" my husband.....:( sigh......
Are you on a mood stabilizer?
Haven;t tried the trileptal yet...just hope it does something. Right now I am just trying to keep it together with klonopin and neurontin. Maybe the wellbutrin is what has given me some motivation to exercise too!Best of luck and thank you,
Diane
>
> Peggy
This is the end of the thread.
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