grandmal seizures every week on 2500mg keppra

i am a 37yr old woman and ive had seizures for over 25yrs. i had a craniotomy in 06 for a 22mm craniopharyngioma. the craniopharyngioma has came back and i had gamma knife in may. i have had 9 seizures since then , i had 2 this past week. im taking 2500mg keppra daily and still having seizures, ive got bruises from them. im having very bad anger rages and personality changes thats causing trouble in my marriage. i cant get enough sleep and stay tired and weak and dizzy. with the dizzy i feel like im spinning and not the room. my neurosurgeon told me my brain is probley swelled from the gamma knife. im not on any hormones as all my labs are low/normal. my neuro refuses to switch my meds and ups them another 500mg. i need some advice on my seizures ,my kids are scared to be alone with me. my warning doesnt come fast enough now and when i come to im so sick . could the tumor cause the anger problems? my seizures were allway controled and now im scared because i know 1s just around the corner. do i need diff meds or is my seizures gotten worse because the gamma knife. request having a eeg? thanks for your help!!!

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

Craniopharyngiomas can cause the symptoms that you have described.  There have been some reports of patients symptoms getting worse after surgery then they were prior to surgery.  However. with 9 seizures since your gamma knife, your seizures are hardly controlled by your medication and I can understand you concern for your children.  Have you had a repeat MRI or CT Scan since the gamma knife?  Where they able to remove the entire tumor?  You might want to consider a second opinion from a different neurologist.  Also, your neurologist should be answering all of your questions/concerns about your seizures (or anything related to this for that matter).  IF they are not able or refuse to answer your questions/concerns, then you definitley need to seek a different doctor.  Make sure that the doctor you are seeing has experience with this condition and that you are being treated at a large medical center that also has experience with this.  Finally, you don't say how old your kids are, but if they are old enough to understand your condition, make sure that you discuss it with them and give them a much information as they can handle.  This might help them to understand what is going on and although they will always be scared when they see you have a seizure, they will at least know what is goin g on.  IF your children are very young, you might want to consider having a relative, friend, etc.  be with you during the day as much as possible (if you have the means, a nanny might be a good choice).  This will at least give you the peace of mind to know that someone is with your children.  I hope this helps.  Good luck.

Bridget

Bridget