Side effects of epilepsy drugs, Depakote vs. Keppra

[JosieLyn]

I am a 28 yr old sngl mother who has juvenile myoclonic epilepsy treated on Depakote for as long as I can remember.  Yes I've tried Lamictal but it had bad effects and now my doc wants me to change meds again b/c of the possible bad things that can happen on Depakote.  Like liver damage and that it's bad if you get pregnant as well as the fun weight gain and thin hair.  Well I will say that even thought I am still having break through jerks, and times where I am "spacey" but all in all I know that it's usually when I'm tired, overworked and stressed out.  The one good thing Depakote has done for me personally is making me feel like I was back to my old self after trying out the Lamictal.  My family told me I was back on the Depakote and had a stable level that I was more myself, more together and basically in control of my life.  Now that my doc wants me to change to Keppra I feel like yes this good fix all those jerks and spasms but do I really want to be a witch?? Side effects like agression,hostility, anger and maybe depression don't sound like something I'm interested in.  Yes it is better for your liver, yes it lowers the risk of birth defects vs. a patient who is taking depakote but do I really want my daughter and family to hate me??  Maybe I'm just being prejudiced b/c I've been on the Depakote for so long but has anyone else had any experience with Keppra.  Is it a reliable drug for this type of epilepsy?  Do you experience more seizures when you are trying to switch??  What do you do for reassurrance??

[Epilepsy Educator]

I have seen Keppra work well in some people, and not so well in others. As with any of the medications, it depends on each persons chemistry. The question that comes to my mind, is at your age, do you want to ever have children? If the answer is yes, then you may want to give Keppra a chance. Studies have shown that Depakote can cause birth defects. It all depends on what you want for your life. I hope this has given you food for thought and assist you in making your decision.
Best Wishes.

[desi32]

i just started taking keppra and prior to keppra i was on depakote i was on depakote 4 bouut 15 yrs and new bout the side affects reguarding liver and having to do blood count i was ok w that but now here i am depakote free for 9 months taking keepra 750mg=3000 daliy yet i can skip it for time and days and there i go having seizures yet id skip like a month at times w depakote cuz i was doing drugs at that time and realized it takes like 5 weeks of no depakote be4 id be laying out w seizures but keepra only takes like 10 days be4 im sick so whats the reasoning of all this i guess im better off just going back to depakote 1500 a day

[mariehiscox25]

i have taken the drug u are talking about a very long time ago i have been on many, i got diagnoced along time ago. i am now on keppra and on depression pills but it is not that bad and no your family will not hate you they will understand you. and the transfer over from pill to pill shouldn't be too bad as long as the pills work for you.

[wichy]

how long after starting yaking keppra will I be free of my dizziness? I feel dizzy about 2 hours after taking the pills . I cannot function like this.

[boxer78]

I don't do well with side effects of keppra compared to other meds I have been on.
But it has reduced my seizures.
I have been on keppra for about 2yrs and now I have a liver tumor,I get like slow motion moments,dizzness,very tired from it but it controls my seizures somewhat YEA lol
I'd rather take nothing!!!!!

[Lynda931260]

I have used dilantin for 40 years along with depakote. My doctor tells me at this time in my life the dilantin is probably not doing me any good. It makes me very tired and I don't have the energy I used to and not because of my age as this has been since I first started taking it. Depakote causes tremors and yet it is the only drug that has stopped my seizures. I will now be adding Keppra to my meds while tapering off dilantin and then I will just be on depakote and Keppra. Has anyone ever used the combo?

[heidi727]

i have abbsence seizuer in also take keppra im on 750 8am and 750 8pm  have they put me on too much im heidi im 20