Medication Issues- Keppra, Klonopin, and Depakote

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Hi, my sister has had epilepsy since the age of 3 and is now 21. She is nonverbal so I am here in hope to be her voice. She has grand mal seizures (usually when she's asleep) as well as myoclonic seizures. We have tried various types of medications especially when she was younger. The combination of medication (Keppra, Klonopin, and Depakote) worked for a bit, but is now not working at all. Because she is non verbal, I am wondering how these medications have worked for others or if there are others out there that have worked better. I am also curious about the interactions of these medications, since she can't tell us how she feels.

Comments

Hi, Thank you so much for

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2020-04-02 - 08:58

Hi, Thank you so much for posting. Treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about the medications your sister is taking and things to look for, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects . It’s important that you’re continuing to express your concerns regarding her change in seizure frequency with her healthcare team or if you notice any changes in moods, behaviors, symptoms or side effects, to help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for her. Many clinics and offices are now offering telehealth options for non-emergencies, or routine check-in appointments. Ask her doctor’s if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telehealth resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations for her. You all may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to help keep track of her seizures, medications, and more. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize her health issues, other therapies or personal experiences, develop seizure response plans, and more, which can be share with her healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . It's common for those who are in caregiver role to feel overwhelmed. It’s important that you’re making your health and overall well-being a priority as well. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdfAdditionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates

Hi, Thank you so much for posting. Treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about the medications your sister is taking and things to look for, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects . It’s important that you’re continuing to express your concerns regarding her change in seizure frequency with her healthcare team or if you notice any changes in moods, behaviors, symptoms or side effects, to help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for her. Many clinics and offices are now offering telehealth options for non-emergencies, or routine check-in appointments. Ask her doctor’s if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telehealth resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations for her. You all may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to help keep track of her seizures, medications, and more. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize her health issues, other therapies or personal experiences, develop seizure response plans, and more, which can be share with her healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . It's common for those who are in caregiver role to feel overwhelmed. It’s important that you’re making your health and overall well-being a priority as well. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdfAdditionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates

Hi, Thank you so much for posting. Treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about the medications your sister is taking and things to look for, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effects . It’s important that you’re continuing to express your concerns regarding her change in seizure frequency with her healthcare team or if you notice any changes in moods, behaviors, symptoms or side effects, to help determine what individual treatment plan may be best for her. Many clinics and offices are now offering telehealth options for non-emergencies, or routine check-in appointments. Ask her doctor’s if you can schedule a time to talk via phone/ other telehealth resources you can utilize, or if they can make any additional recommendations for her. You all may want to consider keeping a journal or a diary to help keep track of her seizures, medications, and more. My Seizure Diary, can be used to organize her health issues, other therapies or personal experiences, develop seizure response plans, and more, which can be share with her healthcare team: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary . It's common for those who are in caregiver role to feel overwhelmed. It’s important that you’re making your health and overall well-being a priority as well. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/Caregivers%20factsheet.pdfAdditionally, you may always contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline , or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates

I've not tried all three at

Submitted by birdman on Thu, 2020-04-02 - 19:38

I've not tried all three at the same time. But I did have the experience with Depakote where it worked for several months and then it didn't. The doctor increased the dose and this helped for several weeks and then the seizures started again. This pattern went on for several years before I was too drowsy from the side effects (mostly I think from the Depakote although I was taking Dilantin at the same time). Doctors have told me that Klonopin is often not used because of high "drug tolerance" rates. Drug tolerance is where a drug works for a while and then a higher dose is required for the same control. I think Depakote users have drug tolerance problems as well. But again, as the person from ConnectHelp first mentioned, every person is different. And also keep the journal on the effects of different therapies. I think it would be good to ask the doctor what are some alternative therapies available to your sister. Since she has been on so many medications he may qualify for surgical treatments.Thank you for supporting your sister.Mike