Posted by Nickengland on August 6, 2005, at 12:28:09
In reply to Keppra (levetiracetam) for bipolar disorder?, posted by SLS on August 6, 2005, at 8:37:17
Hi Scott :-)
I'm afraid I really cannot offer much information on the use of Keppra (levetiracetam)but of course I always like to keep an open mind myself to future potential mood stabilisers for bipolar disorder and all I say is that so far I have not heard anything bad about the medication as of yet.
I know you've tried many medications in the past (I remember your list you posted of what you have tried before) I'm curious, as you haven't yet tried Topamax (Topiramate) in your line of treatments for bipolar depression.
I wonder if this would be of any benefit for you?...
also what has kept you from trying it in the past? (I imagine the cognitive side effects have been a factor in preventing you in using it?)
You know i'm presently using it and I can speak well of it in terms for helping with depression for sure. The intial response was that of very much a similar response of an anti-depressant medication which one would expect from a mood stabiliser. Of interest as well, I've read that Tegretol, Trileptal and Topamax are the main 3 medications that effect the Temperal Lobes. *If* for instance you have any problems in your temoral lobes then Topamax could be very good for this, seeing as you have had fairly good results with Trileptal - although I know they may not have benn the *best* results you were expecting.
The final advantage with Topamax which i know of, is that it would be a very easy medication for you to rule out in terms of if it will be effective for your needs. As in, its very much an either, you love the stuff, or your hate it. Theres not much middle ground and so if for what ever reason if you decided to take it you didn't think it was helping, you would certainly know straight away and would maybe not have to waste so much time waiting for a response - eg it'll hit your temperal lobes so hard you won't want to pop another pill. Avantages are also of course no blood tests required, and if anything the healthy weightloss factor, if of course weightloss would be an advantage as so many see weightgain as a disadvantage. I've taken the dosage increase very slowly, 12.5mg increases using the 'springle capsules' to separate dosing - for me this has had a major advantage in limiting side effects.
Sorry, I've waffled hugely about a drug which was not in your subject header! lol
Silly question maybe, but is the Trileptal likely to be discontinued, hence the Keppra question?
Kind regards
Nick
poster:Nickengland
thread:538236
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050803/msgs/538284.html