Any experience with stopping anti-seizure meds?

General
1

Nea has decided to stop taking Keppra... the depression and other side affects are the reason.

Has anyone here had experience with ending seizure meds?

Thanks.

2

One thing that is absolutely imperative you have to do it under a doctor’s supervision! If not…it can cause a Grand Mal or death! There are many types of anti-seizure drugs out there. Is she seeing a seizure specialist? Not every neurologist is one. I am going to send you a friend request!

3

What Barbara H. said,...!!

Your physician/neurologist/neurosurgeon approval is manditory, as one needs to be weened off anti-seziure medication under a Doctor's supervision. If the current "side-effects" are not tolerable, there are other anti-seziure medications available.

Please,...SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST !!

4

Mom, please tell Nea that she has to discuss this with her doctor. Please tell her that I cut back on my Keppra once before consulting my doctor and had a grand Mal seizure. I know she would like not to have to take her med, but it is any a decision her Doctor has to make. I see an epilepsyologist neuro doctor (probably didn't spell it correctly) now so that my doctor can control my med. I wish you the best!

5

Nea's Mom, EXACTLY what the others said!! You & Nea MUST speak to her Neurologist/Specialist etc before stopping her anti-seizure medication! The results can be horrific....I have had a few Grand Mal seizures and many partial seizures and they are AWFUL. Currently, my Neurologist who specilises in epilipsy is weening me off Keppra and onto a new anti-seizure medication to control my seizures. There are many other medications, so PLEASE, see your specialist!!!!

6

Thanks for all the caring responses. Unfortunately, she decided to do this without letting me know and without consulting her doctor. She's been off for over 2 months.

The one mitigating issue is that her neurologist said that Keppra was a safety measure, it was not in response to any seizure. So at this point, aside from sharing your concerns there's not much I can do since she is now an adult.

Thanks again!

7

Yikes...she is one lucky young lady. Tell her I said that she owes her Guardian Angel big time! I am very glad she is okay!

8

Good Evening from Boston. My Surgery resulted to having "micro seizures" Unfortunatly I didn't find out untill about 16 yrs later. I am taking Dilantin ever since. All I can say is I cannot operate well without it. Also------ In this State, they would take my Drivers Lic. away if I didn't take it.

Not knowing how long you had been taking the Keppra. I don't know the side effects. Just be careful
when not taking any med. By the way, my AVM was in 1977 when I was 20.

9

Please, please get Nea to a qualified medical professional who can safely wean Nea off the Keppra even though she has already done so...I had my first grand mal in 8th grade, three years prior to my first of four craniotomies when I was seventeen, forty years ago...The so called professionals back then immediately stuck me on unbalanced doses of both Dilantin and Phenobarbital for nearly forty years of foggy mornings...When I began college seven months after my fourth craniotomy I was so messed up I walked into a woman's dorm and was immediately captured by security...There I was..A law enforcement enthusiast and soon to be police intern embarrassed beyond recognition...They finally switched me To Keppra and, beyond intensive dreams the side effects pale in comparison....But I still get occasional grand mals despite all precautions from the brain's scar tissue...I want only the best for Nea...

Rob Forsythe