cousins of same formula...Keppra is in the same neighborhood but different formula. Neither I believe are SSRI's [things I do NOT do well on BTW] All three are in the anti-seizure family and the hows/whys of the way they short circuit the pain cycle is a mystery to the mfrs, researchers and all that.
Tramadol, ultracet and ultram are all similarly connected as well..
Ultracet is Tramadol and Acetaminofen together, at times thought to have an extra 'Punch' [again not known why] with the tramadol.
They are all closely related, but the ultracet has the acetaminofen as a one-two punch so one can take a lower dose of the narcotic and get a better result due to the extra asorbtion -I think. I read up on this all a long time ago and all I know is that they KICK IN big time when needed. I try not to take on a regular basis because of potential s/e's especially on the digestive tract.. Since I have a working one...I want to keep it that way.
I did not have any indications of what's known as 'keppra rage' until I went on an AI for cancer issues..[THAT med also is known for 'attitude changes'...MANY] I believe the combo aggravated or increased stress and stress related coping mechanisms... Does this all help?
I DO know that I was wholly, totally and completely a miserable soul on neurontin. Topamax did absolutely zero good or bad for me, but Keppra got my mind back and keeps the pain levels down a notch or two. - j

I started at 250 , then to 500 now 1000 2 times aday . I have Chiari and Syringomyelia , pain and Jerks like mylonic jerks in the middle of my chest . That is what the keppra helps with , also jumpy arms .

Has anyone tried nerve blocks? i have had 10 now abought 8wkly. they are
of anasetic & steroids. i have them in back of my head for head & facial pain
caused by occipital nueralgia caused by pressure of nerves from tumour.
I had one a wk ago & have felt so ill, the more blocks i have the worse i am.
They do seem to help the pain a little, but i`m also on neurontin, tegretol.
methadone & amytrytaline but also have seizures.
The neurontin caused me a lot of weight gain, but no appetite, been on these drugs 5-6 yrs now.
I am due to have another nerve block 3rd sept before i go on hols 26th
but feeling very unsure at the moment abought having it done.
Regards all
Sophia

I had posted something like this on the TOS forum.... I take Keppra 500mg 2x and 1000mg 1x daily. I tried Neurontin with only slight luck. Doc then put me on Lyrica.... 10 days later I was in the ER; they think I had an allergic reaction to that. SO, when I started seeing my pain mgmt doc, we tried Keppra. 9 months, so far, so good (except that i still have to take it).

OK - first I thought this Dr. was going to go above 400mg with the lyrica as I have been on it before at this dose with no help. At the last visit now he says I am maxed out at 400 and to discontinue it. Thanks - after gaining 10 pounds. I am so frustrated. I think he forgot and I had so many other issues at the time with my new TMJ diagnosis that I forgot also.
Now I am back on methadone for the 3rd time. Made me nauseated before so I'll try some compazine with it and see if that helps.
So - anyone know if keppra could help with fibromyalgia pain? I already tried ultram and it did nothing. Also tried all the heavy hitters: ms contin, oxy, ketamine, dialaudid, etc. etc.
My body doesn't even know I am taking them. No reaction at all to the lyrica and others - except weight gain and nausea from codeine and acetamenophin.
Thanks,
Sydney

info. on Keppra --. approved & off Label uses, side f/x & more ....@ www.crazymeds.org/keppra.html

Sydney - I have been taking Keppra for ~10 months now. Neurontin didn't do anything to me except make me feel out of it. Keppra helps the neuropathy, not in a HUGE way though. If I forget to take it, however, I KNOW that I didn't take it.

I thought you could only go up to 1500 mg twice aday . If you can go more where does it say that . thanks

I take 500mg twice a day on the brand Keppra and Tegretol xr 400mg twice a day. I hadn't has a seizure in 11 years. I've heard bad things about the gentric keppra from what I have read I think I'm just going stick wtih the brand. Even though our health insurance is going up. I just hope the insurance don't force me to go generic.

Hi, razzle51:

I do not know if you saw the very important information Sue provided about Keppra in the epilepsy thread. Maybe you could take a look at it.