So I have been on Keppra Xr for about 3 years now, starting at 500mg and ending up at 2000mg by the end up the first year due to increased seizure activity. Although being 3 years seizure free now is exciting I have had no break from abdominal issues. Before getting epilepsy and getting started on meds I had no real history of stomach issues. Countless trips to the ER with every scan possible and two endoscopy tests have found nothing. I have been able to manage the pain and nausea for most days with eating right and a simple antacid. The most common day's side effects would include heart burn, very air filled and bloated stomach, nausea, and just plain having problems getting food on my stomach. I was on a good streak for a while, but ended up getting an intestception (I think that's how it's spelled lol) basically where something catches the bowel and causes it to telescope in on itself during digestion... this bowel issue is more common in younger children, and I'm now 21... needless to say very painful and sickening. This whole fiasco threw my stomach into a fit and I'm still recovering, which led me to explore my suspicions that keppra had been causing my normal everyday stomach issues. I have found this website amongst others with countless reports of patients having the same issues... in just wondering if anyone has found a better alternative or an easy way to manage the issues. Any help would be appreciated.
I've been on Keppra (generic) for about 4 months. Have had a fussy digestive system for years but all issues are really inflated since on the keppra. Initially noticed appetite suppression. Was having bone and Vit D issues at same time because of old Carbamazepine (keppra replaces that). Topical Magnesium is helping that (teeth erosion is filling in) but the magnesium tends to cause digestive issues also so I can't tell what's causing what. I do find that eliminating dairy seems to help. With the magnesium, I can now take calcium without problems with constipation. ....way too much information there but am having to tweak and learn to get things under control.
I have had stomach cramping and constipation issues since a little girl and I've had epilepsy alp my life so I would say she has IBS. I haven't been formally diagnosed but my sister has it so I probably do too. Keppra might make IBS worse but I will say I've been a flew of epilepsy meds and have had this issue before ever getting on Keppra. I think my parents blew my stomach problems off and blamed my meds for it. But my sister had no medical issues but IBS as of a few years ago. Not sure if this info is useful but I've taken phenobarbital, Neurontin, Tegritol, Depakote, Topamax, Lamictal, and Keppra over my 32 years. Only ones that overlapped together were Lamictal, Keppra and Topamax. I ate healthy as a child too. I'm thinking it's either just IBS or most all anticonvulsants cause gastrointestinal issues. Oh also endometriosis can be mistaken for IBS and other gastrointestinal issues (I know a girl who's GP doctor thought her issues were gastrointestinal but they found nothing after tons of tests and her OBGYN was able to diagnose it).
Have same side effects bloating,stomach muscles tightening doctors don'twant to know,put it down as ibs the side effects of these tablets cause me tightening of chest & headaches what I noticed that helps watching fibre intake will cause constipation I also noticed that at certain times when I don't het a bowel movement for a few days when I take theses tablets I don't get a fit I get a small blackout.
I been talking Keprra Levetalracetam for about 2 years. I jabe bad gas stomach pain diarrhea leg cramps feeling as thou someone is pushing me fowared kinnda like it feels when walk. With the wind when its really strong some headaches and problems dropping things. Anyone. Else experience all these side affects.and maybe have a sugg.of something else i can use. I take. Lamotrgine too
Have suffered with all symptoms you’ve listed also get very badly constipated, headaches & also head gets clogged up swelling on left side of face which goes red.
I take 500 mg 2 times a day and I have all the same problems stomach constipation gas abdominal and some more sore throat and I am looking for help doing the same going in and out to the doctors with no help from anybody
I'm experiencing some embarrassing restroom problems while on depakote. Even before when I took keppra, it was happening, but now it's got more watery. What do you think I can take now, or what it is?