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Does anyone have experience of anti seizure meds and 'Keppla rage'?

15 replies

stilldumdedumming · 02/01/2022 10:17

My dp has brain damage from a significant haemorrhage. He's had two seizures where he lost consciousness, most recent Christmas Day.

Both times he's ended up in hospital with scans etc (no more bleeding-phew). This time he's been given Keppla, so he's a week in to these meds.

He's been really down and suicidal. Last time this passed within a week, but I think the meds are now causing this. It's getting worse if anything.

Then last night he went completely bezerk. He had some alcohol (quite a large whisky and a gin). I took it off him because he didn't know what he was doing. He got mad at this, went up to my ds' room and started knocking things over in a rage. It was quite random tho there's expensive sound recording kit that he made a beeline for, but also he aggressively opened the windows, and he was nude which he isn't ever outside the bedroom as the two dcs are not his. Luckily neither of my kids were here. He seemed not to know what he was doing but he was arguing with me. And he didn't smash my stuff. I had to physically restrain him. He went downstairs to sleep on the sofa and came to bed at 5. I was scared. I slept with the light on.

He is hot tempered but never depressed. And never physical. Is this the medication? I don't know what to do. It doesn't feel safe. My children are late teens but that brings its own problems if this becomes an issue.

OP posts:
stilldumdedumming · 02/01/2022 10:18

Just double checked his meds it's Keppra

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons82 · 02/01/2022 10:23

It could well be a side effect. That medication can cause mood and behaviour changes in some people. From memory I think it works slightly differently to other seizure medications. Is there an out of hours team you can contact?

Obviouslynotallthere · 02/01/2022 10:32

I'm just thinking but; your husband has an acquired brain injury from the haemorrhage which may have affected parts of his brain related to impulse control. He may also still be healing and have low mood post his stroke which would be understandable. Alcohol also does this which is why we do things when intoxicated that we wouldn't do normally. Probably best to avoid at the moment. Keppra is used as an anti seizure medication but some types of similar medication are used as mood stabilisers.
It would be best to read up about the meds yourself, contact the GP who can refer him back to neurologist, if he already has one then get in touch with medical secretary and arrange a telephone review. Talk to the experts about his medication. Don't have any more alcohol for now and try to do what you can in terms of healthy food, exercise etc.
There is always the Police/ambulance if it is an emergency.

stilldumdedumming · 02/01/2022 10:43

He is two years past the haemorrhage and it didn't appear to affect his impulse or mood really. If anything he is more placid. Though he can't work still and that's tough. Things were looking up with maybe some back to work rehab. He's been discharged from the neurologist, but now re referred following Christmas Day seizure. I feel so sorry for him. I also said I wouldn't stay if I didn't feel safe or my kids didn't. He drinks too much, brought up by alcoholics. I'm going to put all the alcohol away for now. Thank you for replying I feel less alone. I'm knackered though and a bit scared.

OP posts:
Obviouslynotallthere · 02/01/2022 10:58

Then definitely get an urgent review of his meds. The alcohol is making his behaviour more risky so the medics will need to know. In the meantime stay off the alcohol. Do have a safety plan in your mind such as calling 999 and getting out of the house till things cool down. If you both can't manage over the weekend then a trip to A+E might be better.

stilldumdedumming · 02/01/2022 11:02

Thank you yes. A plan is good advice and then GP on Tuesday. I can manage I think but worried about dc's. They are none the wiser for now. Thank you for replying and being sensible. I just felt a bit all over the place.

OP posts:
stilldumdedumming · 02/01/2022 13:37

I've rung 111 waiting for a call back and see if we can do anything with the meds. Taken all the alcohol out of the house.

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons82 · 02/01/2022 22:11

@stilldumdedumming hope they were able to help

irene9 · 03/01/2022 01:27

How did you get on since? How much Keppra is he on? They usually start with a low dose then build it up. My DD 17 started on it a few months ago, it's been absolutely fine. She was a bit tired when she started and again when the dose increased but nothing else. The Keppra 'rage' I think is more like irritable and snapping at people, not a violent rage.
Was your DH confused after that episode, because some seizures the person is still conscious and responding but unaware of their actions. If in doubt, call an ambulance.

Rosetinted234 · 03/01/2022 08:48

Hope that you’re getting some help OP?

Not the same situation but I can share my experience : my DD10 was put on keppra for epilepsy. At the beginning was very out of sorts for a month to six weeks. Verbally and physically aggressive towards her sister. At the time very difficult but as she was small so not scary. All settled down eventually and she has been very well controlled on Keppra for over two years. I did discuss with the epilepsy consultant and he thought that as her epilepsy was very active at the time (she’d had cluster of seizures) that this can also cause aggressive behaviour, not just the medication.

Sending hugs

stilldumdedumming · 03/01/2022 09:12

Thank you for your replies. He couldn't remember anything about it at all the next day. I did wonder if it was some kind of episode until I looked at the side effects list.

111 doctor suggested he come straight off. He's only been on it a week so hopefully will be ok.

I don't know what to make of it really. He hasn't been diagnosed with epilepsy as such. It's the scarring on his brain that has caused two seizures in 6 months. I wonder if that makes a difference at all.

He's been so low 'just waiting for the end' and he's been so so positive since his stroke nearly two years ago, that it's a very marked change. Unless something else altogether is going on in his brain. He needs positivity to heal his brain.

It's very tough because I have promised myself I will not live with an aggressive partner. I have a teenage dd here and it would be a disaster I think. Let's hope coming off does it. He will still have a GP review and should get a neurology referral.

OP posts:
stilldumdedumming · 03/01/2022 09:17

111 nurse wanted to send an ambulance but I have had many paramedics here in the last two years and I think it would have been a waste.

He is on a low dose I think 1000 MH over two tablets daily.

Oh I have told my parents and his adult daughter. From a safety point of view I needed to do that. If I feel unsafe at all I would just leave the house I think (while worrying about him).

OP posts:
Rosetinted234 · 03/01/2022 11:07

I think it’s best to have a plan. Leaving the house if he has another similar outburst sounds like a good way to stay safe. Hopefully it won’t happen again.

stilldumdedumming · 03/01/2022 15:57

Just to update. We are into only 500mg in the last 36 hours (would have been 1500mg). Dp is completely different. He says he went to bed last night assuming that he wouldn't wake up because he was willing it so much. He is totally different today. Went to the corner shop, had some soup, watched some telly, gave me a cuddle. Unbelievable really.

OP posts:
Obviouslynotallthere · 04/01/2022 15:19

That's really great to hear he's feeling better and so are you now. Definitely call medical secretaries at neurology to let the specialist know what's happened . They may just want to monitor for a while. Some services have community nurse team who you may be able to speak with. I'm not sure if GP will write to the neurologist. Anyhow communication very important regarding meds and side effects etc x

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