JME

[Tana71506]

Hello everyone, I am 20 and was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 18 and was put on Depakote then taken off due to weight gain and put on Topamax, which is what I'm currently taking. Just recently I had a new diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and was put on Folic Acid and Keppra. So now I'm taking three medications. I have only had one grand mal seizure, but every day my mind does this thing where it kind of blanks out when I'm talking and I stare for a couple of seconds, that's when I took an EEG and it determined I had JME. But since I have been on Keppra my mind hasn't spaced out, but I have been in a lot of pain. Whenever I open my mouth I feel a sharp pain in the right side of my head and jaw, I have severe headaches now, I get extremely dizzy, I feel so weak every day, I get menstrual cramps but I'm not menstruating. I guess my question is Keppra a good medicine to be taking? Is there anything else out there for these "spacing out" episodes? If I have only had one seizure should I really have to take three medicines? Thanks in advance for any answers anyone can give me.  

[keppra_rager_kel]

Tana, I hear you.  Once you have the grand mal seizure, you want to do everything possible NOT to experience that feeling again.  I was very weak feeling on Keppra for 4-5 months, then it got a lot better.  I do experience slight headaches, but nothing like i was before I was on it.  And I have problems walking through aisle's at stores (I get kinda dizzy too).  But again, Ill take that over having seizures.  I do notice I cry a lot more, and I am quick to get angry, but my doctor told me if that continues to get worse I can add a mood stablizer.  The main concern is to NOT have seizures to me... worst feeling in the world that week after a big one... didnt even know my own parents and couldnt lift a spoon.  Good luck!  I've been on Keppra for 3 years and I am still seizure free!

[Tana71506]

Thanks so much for your comment. I will talk to my doctor about the keppra. I have taken it upon myself to only take it at night before bed instead of morning and night until I can talk to my doctor. The pain was too much, I just hope there is something out there that my body can adjust to better. Again thank you.
         Tana

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing all of these at such a young age.  I believe that your doctors are maximizing your medications so that you do not develop another seizure as much as possible.  Having a single episode of seizure starves your brain with oxygen and much needed nutrients and can have a transient as well as a lasting impact and I understand your doctors giving you these battery of drugs.  However, these side effects that you are experiencing may indeed be from Keppra and I suggest that you discuss with your doctors regarding adjusting the dose or tapering the drug.  I hope you and your doctors can find the right balance for your medications.  My brother took about 4 years before he found a right balance with his meds and his epilepsy and it really took a lot of patience.  

Regards and God bless.