advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-28-2020, 08:48 AM #1
Geneo76 Geneo76 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 33
10 yr Member
Geneo76 Geneo76 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 33
10 yr Member
Default Can Keppra cause Neuropathy

I am wondering if taking Keppra can cause neuropathy in my feet? I have had epilepsy since I was 16. I had a motorcycle wreck and have been taking different meds for years. I have complex partial seizures. It is like I am daydreaming when I have one. I am out for 30 seconds or so, just staring. Anyway, Nothing seemed to "cure" the seizures. Fast forward to 2010. I started to take Keppra with Topamax and that stopped the seizures! But... a year later I started to notice a slight difference in my walk. I was helping my son on his addition on the roof and I couldn't walk the ridge like I normally could unless I grabbed something for balance. It got worse. My feet were "dropping" at the toes and I literally had to pick my feet up or they would drag my toes. This happened over the course of 5 years I would say. I went to the doc and they ran tests at Washington University in ST. Louis, MO but could not find anything. I finally had to get braces for my feet which help but my balance is shot. I still work but it is frustrating. My nero says it is not the Keppra. I was taking Topamax before. I am 62 now and have never weighed over 155 lbs. I don't have the pins and needles that some folks have with neuopathy. I am taking B12 for that. Sorry for the long post.
Thanks,
Gene
Geneo76 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 11-28-2020, 02:48 PM #2
caroline2 caroline2 is offline
N/A
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 3,313
8 yr Member
caroline2 caroline2 is offline
N/A
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 3,313
8 yr Member
Default

Gene, my thinking is that almost any med could bring on neuropathy. I think I read that you don't have pins/needles...I developed neuropathy from hip replacement in 2010, but the pins/needles settled in both thigh and feet. Could you have some arthritis issues as well?
caroline2 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-28-2020, 04:24 PM #3
kiwi33's Avatar
kiwi33 kiwi33 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Posts: 3,093
8 yr Member
kiwi33 kiwi33 is offline
Grand Magnate
kiwi33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Posts: 3,093
8 yr Member
Default

Hi Gene

Welcome to NeuroTalk . The Search option (https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php) may assist you to to find helpful topics here.

This link to Keppra may help you,

Keppra Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

Best wishes.
__________________
Knowledge is power.
kiwi33 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 08:02 AM #4
Geneo76 Geneo76 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 33
10 yr Member
Geneo76 Geneo76 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 33
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwi33 View Post
Hi Gene

Welcome to NeuroTalk . The Search option (https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php) may assist you to to find helpful topics here.

This link to Keppra may help you,

Keppra Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

Best wishes.
Thanks kiki,
I posted a question to the neuro board a few years ago about the keppra but never got an answer one way or the other. From the side effects it looks like it can cause balance issues but it doesn't say anything about causing neuropathy. I guess I will deal with it the best I can. I just hate it because I am so active and can't sit still. Thanks all!
Gene
Geneo76 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 08:07 AM #5
glenntaj glenntaj is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 2,857
15 yr Member
glenntaj glenntaj is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 2,857
15 yr Member
Default The funny thing is--

--in my research over the years, I have not seen Keppra mentioned as having side effects that feel like neuropathy--that is, burning, parastheses, and the like--but I have seen that mentioned with Topamax, and not only in anecdotal reports:

Side Effects of Topamax (Topiramate), Warnings, Uses

Topamax - Weight Loss, Migraine Treatment, & Other Uses


As anticonvulsants go, Topamax is one of the weirder ones; it's side effect profile differs from man of the other drugs in that class, including being associated with weight loss rather than weight gain as most of the others are.

It may behoove you to have a good long consultation with your epileptologist as regards possible other drug combinations that can be tried.
glenntaj is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 01:38 PM #6
caroline2 caroline2 is offline
N/A
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 3,313
8 yr Member
caroline2 caroline2 is offline
N/A
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 3,313
8 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geneo76 View Post
Thanks kiki,
I posted a question to the neuro board a few years ago about the keppra but never got an answer one way or the other. From the side effects it looks like it can cause balance issues but it doesn't say anything about causing neuropathy. I guess I will deal with it the best I can. I just hate it because I am so active and can't sit still. Thanks all!
Gene
How about working on that "can't".... being still is good for the body and soul too. I rarely put the word "can't" in my life. Listen to the body...
caroline2 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 02:46 PM #7
agate's Avatar
agate agate is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wild West
Posts: 1,016
15 yr Member
agate agate is offline
Senior Member
agate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wild West
Posts: 1,016
15 yr Member
Default

If you look at the Drugs.com link about Keppra in kiwi's post, you'll find "problems with walking or movement" listed as among the side effects you should report to your doctor.

"Numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth" is also listed as a common side effect that needs to be reported to the doctor. Problems with balance are also mentioned.

Although the neuro has said that the Keppra couldn't be causing this problem, it's possible that it could be causing it anyway.

Would it be possible to ask your doctor if it would be OK to try cutting out the Keppra for a while just so you can see if your foot symptoms get better without it?

I'm assuming that a doctor has checked any drugs you're taking to make sure that some drug isn't interacting badly with another.

Sometimes you have to tinker with drugs and their dosages until you figure out what is causing what, but every drug you take in can cause problems. Particularly if you're also taking other drugs.
__________________
Repeal the law of gravity!

MS diagnosed 1980. Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteopenia.
Avonex 2002-2005. Copaxone 6/4/07-5/15/10. Currently: Glatopa (generic Copaxone), 40mg 3 times/week, 12/16/20 - 3/16/24
agate is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 07:39 PM #8
Diamond Tiger<3 Diamond Tiger<3 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 87
3 yr Member
Diamond Tiger<3 Diamond Tiger<3 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 87
3 yr Member
Default

Hi Gene,


Sorry to hear about your balancing problems.
By chance, do you know the name of your particular seizures?


Best wishes,


Diamond Tiger<3
Diamond Tiger<3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 07:48 PM #9
Diamond Tiger<3 Diamond Tiger<3 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 87
3 yr Member
Diamond Tiger<3 Diamond Tiger<3 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 87
3 yr Member
Default

I meant to add this to my post. Seizure medication is complicated. I'm wondering if your medication isn't working as well as it once had in the past.

I had seizures as a kid and was put on all kinds of different medications. In which, none never seem to be effective enough to keep them at bay and under control without needing to be rushed to the hospital from having a bad seizure multiple times. I had to have surgery for it when I was just 11 years old. I have been seizure free since and haven't taken any medications at all for seizures.

Best wishes,

Diamond Tiger<3
Diamond Tiger<3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 11-29-2020, 08:42 PM #10
Geneo76 Geneo76 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 33
10 yr Member
Geneo76 Geneo76 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO
Posts: 33
10 yr Member
Default

I have complex partial seizures. They have been completely controlled for almost 11 years now. I didn't drive for 20 years because of the seizures. I had stage 3 colon cancer more than 5 years ago and the doc was saying that was the cause of the neuropathy. But, the only problem with that is that I had tests for the neuropathy the year before my cancer! I found paperwork confirming this while digging through my desk drawer the other day. So, that is why I am inclined to think it is the Topamax. After reading what others have posted about it's side affects about balance it adds up to me.
Thanks,
Gene
Geneo76 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
feet, keppra, seizures, taking, walk


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Keppra tgbell35 Epilepsy 1 06-19-2019 06:24 PM
i want to get off the keppra!!!!1 plumbdumb37 Epilepsy 1 12-31-2018 11:03 PM
Keppra anybody razzle51 Chronic Pain 25 10-14-2011 07:04 PM
Keppra... dabbo Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 1 07-02-2007 10:58 PM
Anyone on Keppra ? eb down under Epilepsy 5 06-30-2007 01:08 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:54 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.