Effects of Keppra, Epilim, Lamictal & Topamax together?

[Nixie79]

I am taking all four tablets twice daily for my generalised epilepsy and would like to know the side effects that they would/do have as I know since going on them all, I have had changes in myself.

[Nixie79]

Hi Friendlysky137,
Yeah my neurologist put me on the Lamictal with the Keppra to try stop everything but my eyes were still fluttering so he added the topomax after many years of just the Lamictal and Keppra. When I started the Lamictal, I felt fine but over time, I started feeling like you, my mind was starting to go. I have always been great at remembering numbers and things like that and found myself to be forgetting simple things. The worst part that I have had trouble to handle is the freezing cold feeling that I have had to handle. For about 10mths out of the year I feel cold. Through summer it can get to 4pm and I can be in a jumper. I know that is minimal to some people as they are having seizures on a daily basis but we all have our own downs and that is one of mine. I have only felt that way since going on the Lamictal and I have had my body thermo and thyroid checked and they are fine so all I can put it down to is my tablets. Thanks for the comment, it is good to know there are other people out there that understand this condition as I have no support here in my town.

[Roxyghh]

Hello, out of the medicines you have named i know two; keppra and lamictal. Lamictal wasn't effective on me so i had to switch. But as i was on the pill, i had emotional swings and basically the same situation with keppra. However, try buying vitamin b6 which helps keep brain activity balanced as well ad emotions. Don't over consume though. Only take one100mg pill a day.  

[Nixie79]

Hi Gerard11,
I did experience those side effects but I also got hearing loss in one ear too. Minor loss though. I was very lethargic and got a bit withdrawn aswell but just had to force myself to get back out there. I think it depends on your body with how it reacts with you. If you don't feel right with it, then let your doctor or neurologist know.

[gerard11]

I am currently taking keppra now. I have only been on it for 3weeks. I really am struggling with the side effects. Rining in ears, dry mouth, depression, and many other not good side effects. Did you notice and change in time (that you took keppra) with the side effects. Did it get better or worse? They want to add lamitcal to the keppra and I am thinking I should just ride the keppra out and see if I can get use to the sides I am experiencing now. Anybody with any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[friendlysky137]

Hi, I share my experience as a Lamictal and Keppra user (twice daily).

I took ONLY Lamictal before, it was good for a while, I felt good physically, but increased the dose to stop auras, and I noticed mentally my mind was in a terrible 'fog'. It was very hard to remember things, like words and if verbally asked to do something it just slipped from my memory all the time. I didn't like it.

So I switched to Keppra ONLY, it was good that it relieved the mental fog. BUT over the year or so I took it, I felt VERY low emotionally, to the point of no motivation, mental strength or energy to do even basic things, like plan a meal. It was horrible and depressing. I wasn't functioning. It took time for me to associate it to the drug.

So now I take both together and find it's a much better balance. But back to you - taking all those meds, there's a good chance you'll have at least mild side effects. But it can take a while before you realise that something is not the same. If you notice you're feeling different, then write down those things.

I also go online and check the side effects of each drug, and whether you have any. You are the best one to know your body and mind and pass that information to your doctor if it's not right.

I think the medication kind of 'numbs' the seizure areas of our brain, so that kind of numbs or slows down our mental function a bit. (Just my theory.)

[Nixie79]

Thank you for your reply and I will keep you posted on any updates I get from my neurologist or any other neurologist I seek answers from here in Australia.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

There are no reported interactions between these drugs and you can take them. However take these drugs only after medical prescription from your doctor. The side effects each one are different and you should take them only at prescribed time by your doctor.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.