Levetiracetam and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2011

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I have currently started taking Keppra for the last week and a half. I have experienced numbness and tingling throughout my whole body, along with what feels like electrical impulse shocks. I'm tired all the time, trouble sleeping. I can only hope that these side effects will cease because the side effects are making me feel really bad, just the same way as I did with Dilantin I was taking."

• Van...
• March 10, 2012

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I am on a very small dose for epilepsy, 250 mg twice a day. It has made me quite tired, but apart from that, there's been no problems. I only have a couple of seizures a year, so hopefully this low dose will keep me seizure-free."

• Rob...
• July 27, 2010

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "Started off using Keppra with Tegretol and at the regular 500 mg dose per day. Later upped to 1000 mg per day. Once they removed my Tegretol dose, I began to have violent seizures. Now I have Tegretol back, and my dosage of Keppra was doubled again. Now at 2000 mg per day. I'm now depressed, tired, nauseated, and don't really want to eat at all. I'll have to talk to my doctor about changing my medication."

• Gma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2021

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I was put on Keppra to supplement lamotrigine due to the pregnancy causing my lamotrigine to metabolize too fast. I immediately noticed an increase in exhaustion, which was crippling on top of the pregnancy exhaustion. I could sleep 14 plus hours a day if I had the opportunity. My husband commented on the change in my personality and how my mood changed for the worse. Keppra wasn’t added until I was 29 weeks, so the personality change was not pregnancy hormones. I reached a point where I started asking myself why I even thought getting pregnant was a good idea. What soon-to-be mother wants to think that! I experienced dry mouth and a general feeling of malaise. If it wasn’t for the fear of another seizure while pregnant, I would NOT take this medication. I can’t wait until I give birth to get off of this miserable drug!"

• xar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2020

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I was always a very happy person with a lot of energy, but since I started Keppra, I became violent, with uncontrollable rage, depressed, tired, dizzy, and I attacked my cat for almost doing nothing. I don't recognize myself. I just want to lie down all the day and stay in bed."

• Jew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2017

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "Keppra was fine for me at first (500 mg twice a day) for 2 months. I suffer from complex partial seizures and experienced a grand mal recently. Then I experienced extreme tiredness, confusion, headaches, greatly increased my depression, could barely go from my bedroom to the living room (never mind managing leaving my house). I had to go back to my neurologist to get switched off such a horrible drug for me. Aptiom (once a day!) so far is a better choice for me."

• Ehh...
• September 1, 2010

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I have been taking 1500 mg a day of Keppra for 7 years. I have had two perfectly healthy babies. I did not breastfeed. I didn't want to take the chance. I was just happy they were born normal and healthy. At first, it made me very, very tired, but after a couple of months, that subsided. I did start to gain weight after taking it, but I thought that was from the pregnancies or a thyroid issue. I had no idea so many people gained weight with it and had irritability problems. Those are some things I have lived with for the last 7 years that could be a result of this. It does, however, control my seizures. I have grand mal seizures and had a few over the years because I could not afford to buy the Keppra."

• San...
• August 9, 2009

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I was placed on Keppra in January 2009 by an emergency room physician after a reported seizure, which had no professional diagnosis. A neurologist whom I saw post-emergency kept me on the medication as I reported no side effects. I had what I now believe to be a fainting spell related to an atrial fibrillation condition of my heart and a strenuous run, without a 'cool-down.' I am pushing to get off this drug, as I experience dizziness, light-headedness, sleepiness and somnolence, fatigue, and exhaustion most of the time. I am a 2008 heart valve transplant recipient and on diuretics and blood thinners, both required to avoid congestive heart failure and embolisms (artificial valve)."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2009

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I started on Keppra before I got pregnant. I was on a large dose of Epilim, and it would not be safe for me to be pregnant on such a large dose, therefore, my neurologist reduced my Epilim dose to 500 mg twice a day and introduced Keppra 500 mg twice a day. Thankfully, my son was born healthy. Next week, I am planning to start to come off Epilim gradually due to constant tiredness, irritability, and agitation that is made worse from being on two medications. I'll just be on Keppra, hope it works as I have been seizure-free for 2 1/2 years. I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and I have had epilepsy for 14 years but have only been controlled for 2 1/2 years. Lamictal was a waste of time."

• Day...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2021

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I took these as a kid. My parents instantly had me stop taking them because I would always feel angry and tired while taking them, and my doctor would always increase my dosage every time I saw him. As an adult now who always feels tired no matter how much sleep I get and feels very unmotivated to do things still, I can’t help but wonder if taking these as a kid has affected me mentally. I was always shy but a very hyper kid who liked learning new things, and after taking these, I just remember turning into a quiet kid who didn’t do much, and that’s stuck with me for years. I'm currently trying to fight this, but I wonder if there’s anyone else out there who’s taken this medication and feels this way years after they’ve stopped?"

• Che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 16, 2020

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with GEFs (a type of epilepsy, Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures) a few months after I was born. My seizures occur very rarely (one in 5 years' time). However, until the age of 10, my seizures were at the times I had a fever. However, I have never taken any medicine. At the age of 15, I had 2 seizures in one month's period, and in both cases, I had my menstrual cycle. After that, the neurologist prescribed me Keppra of 500 mg twice a day. Apart from tiredness, I had no problem until the age of 19. I began to have diarrhea even 7 times a day, and I had some sort of medical analysis. The last option was the medicine: my neurologist only after several times understood this and changed the medicine. Now I take Matecer (750 mg a day) and have had no problems until now."

• wri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 31, 2022

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I was just diagnosed with epilepsy 6 months ago and was immediately put on Keppra. I was so incredibly tired for the first 4 days or so and slept pretty much nonstop that weekend. Since then, I’ve felt completely normal with zero side effects whatsoever. I haven’t had any seizures since starting Keppra. I was having up to 14 per day before. If I’m home relaxing, I do tend to nap much more while on Keppra, but it doesn’t make me tired at work or when I shouldn’t be. I am so happy with this medication and so thankful that it exists."

• Del...
• December 3, 2018

For Epilepsy "So I have taken Keppra for 5 years, and it was the first medicine that the doctors started me on. But unfortunately, I still have seizures monthly. I mostly have grand mals, and I have never woken up in a hospital with memory. So then they upped the Keppra to 3000 mg and also added Lamictal and upped it to 600 mg a day, not counting my other meds, and it's frustrating to never get any answers about any of it. I also don't like the way it makes me feel since they always make me feel tired, mean, lightheaded, and for at least 3 years of dealing with this, I have issues with my vision, driving, etc. I had to get my glasses tinted so I can handle lights easier. Plus, all the things I'm not able to do, like swimming (might drown), going out, skating, anything to do with bright and/or flashing lights, and several other things. Even with all the medicines they have me on, I still have at least 1 a month, and no meds seem to help my issues. Luckily, I have a wonderful seizure alert dog that stays with me everywhere and is amazing at helping."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2022

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I wouldn't give this drug to a dog. It made me totally non-functional. No appetite, no motivation, no energy, could not stay awake - I struggled to get anything done - constructive or otherwise - etc. etc."

• NYY...
• March 20, 2017

For Seizures "Levetiracetam is a good drug when I take it with Fycompa and Vimpat. I am now seizure-free. If you are tired or feel confused, try vitamin B12. This works great. If your meds do not work, have your MD try video EEG monitoring. Please check this out."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 15, 2017

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with grand mal epilepsy in 2004, have tried a lot of different medications over this period, and Keppra has always been a constant during this time, with interaction with others. Starting on 250 mg bd & after a decade, I'm now taking 1000 mg bd with 100 mg bd of lamotrigine. The main concern is that I'm always tired, mentally and physically, having to rest quite a lot & lack of appetite, although I have a feeling that this is due to the combination. I recently had a petit mal seizure, and the neurologist advised that it was due to missing one dose of lamotrigine, although Keppra by itself is a generally peaceful medication. I have been recently diagnosed with hemochromatosis, iron overload, although they've advised it's genetic."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2016

For Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 12 years old (I am now 27). I have been on lamotrigine and topiramate (separately) in the past, and they both worked to control my seizures. This year, my neurologist has changed, and she wanted me to try Keppra, but I was happy on the topiramate, so I said no until I had a grand mal seizure. However, the seizures have gotten worse since taking the Keppra, plus the side effects are awful. At the start, I was so tired I spent all day asleep. After the dosage has increased to 3000 mg per day, I have started to get mood swings, anger, depression, irritability, plus suicidal thoughts and have become a completely different person - I never used to cry, but now I don't stop."

• JME...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2013

For Epilepsy "My son is 13 years old and has just been diagnosed with epilepsy. He takes 1750 mg of this medication daily along with 750 mg of Trileptal to control his gelastic seizures. He began the meds in May, and by August, he was seizure-free. He did complain of extreme dizziness and tiredness in the beginning, but after about 3 weeks, he was fine. Every person is different, though. Best of luck to everyone!"

• edg...
• March 22, 2009

For Seizures "I'm a 23-year-old male. Had first seizure about a year ago, only had 3 in total. After the 3rd (all grand mal), my doctor put me on 1500 mg a day of this (along with the Trileptal I'd been on), and I haven't had a seizure since. While my case is clearly not severe, I just wanted to add that I've had zero noticeable side effects after the first few weeks. At first, I was sleepy and lethargic, but after 2-3 weeks, I balanced out. No weight gain, mood swings, etc. - This tameness may be due to my seizure disorder being tame, but I just wanted to share my case."

• cry...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 29, 2015

For Epilepsy "I've been taking levetiracetam for 10 years now. I take 500 mg 2X daily. The first 4 years I experienced little side effects, like strange sleep patterns, always tired, and a slight disruption in my ability to concentrate. My seizures were reduced to only 3-4 a year vs. 1-2 a week. In the last five years, however, the long-term side effects have hit me hard: muscle and bone weakness, sciatica, migraines, hair loss, no energy, bouts of rage where I feel outside my body watching a mad woman (I have always been a calm, collected person who never yelled and rarely felt anger). The anger is overwhelming. Suicidal ideation, severe depression, complete lack of concentration, inability to think of words (which is devastating for my love of writing)."

• cry...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 29, 2015

For Epilepsy "I've been taking levetiracetam for 10 years now. I take 500 mg 2X daily. The first 4 years I experienced little side effects, like strange sleep patterns, always tired, and a slight disruption in my ability to concentrate. My seizures were reduced to only 3-4 a year vs. 1-2 a week. In the last five years, however, the long-term side effects have hit me hard: muscle and bone weakness, sciatica, migraines, hair loss, no energy, bouts of rage where I feel outside my body watching a mad woman (I have always been a calm, collected person who never yelled and rarely felt anger). The anger is overwhelming. Suicidal ideation, severe depression, complete lack of concentration, inability to think of words (which is devastating for my love of writing)."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2011

For Seizures "I had my first grand mal at age 35. I started taking 500 mg of Keppra 1x a day and eventually worked down to 250 mg 1x a day without any seizures. My doctor and I decided to take me off the medicine as there has been no epilepsy detected in all the testing I have done. After being off the medicine for 30 days, I had another grand mal. So, I started taking the minimal dosage of 1/2 of a 250 mg pill once a day. It has been over a year now, and I have not had another seizure. I do experience dizziness at the beginning of my day before I take my pill. After a few hours, I feel fine. I also sometimes experience drowsiness, tiredness, agitation, anger, anxiety, depression, irritability, and occasional panic attacks. I'd rather have these than seizures!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 2, 2017

For Seizures "I have been taking levetiracetam for the last 5 years and, on average, have been having seizures once a year. I'm looking into changing my medication as I want 100% seizure control. I started with taking 500 mg daily and am now taking 2500 mg daily. I have suffered with some anxiety, and having more seizures does not help. Also, tiredness, and some days just not feeling like myself, feeling out of it and spaced out. But there are some days when I feel okay."

• She...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 24, 2022

For Epilepsy "I’ve been on this medication since I was 13 years old for epilepsy. I am now at the highest dosage I’ve been: 1000 mg twice a day. When I wake up and before bed. I am always so, so tired, I can sleep so much. I’m very depressed and have no motivation to do anything. People think I’m just making excuses, but ever since I’ve started this medication, I’m exhausted all the time. It’s kept me seizure-free, but I wish I wasn’t so tired."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2018

For Epilepsy "I am currently on Keppra 600 mg, gabapentin 1500 mg, clonazepam 1 mg, Vimpac 1000 mg. I have had epilepsy since age 12 and am now 60. I have a headache and am seizuring, mostly at night. My blood pressure is very low, and I am exhausted."