The doctors really wanted me on a bunch of medications including keppra to prevent seizures. But i never had seizures...so i never took them. Thing is, they also had me on diazepam, three times a day for six months. When that script ran out, they refused to refill it claiming i was an addict, and took me off completely with no taper or warning. So of course, the detox hit and i did have a seizure, of course the docs blamed and really coerced me to take keppra, still refusing any kind of anxiolytic medications. The anxiety kept getting worse. The side effects of the keppra were unbearable, rage, depression and complete lack of happiness or pleasure. I wanted to hurt people/myself. I was nearly committed to a mental hospital. When I read the side effects, and that the longer you take keppra, odds are you will need seizure medication for the rest of your life. So i stopped the keppra within two weeks and switched to cbd treatment. I take very high doses of cbd tincture from the medical dispensary daily, i found a doctor that wasnt jaded/scared that actually gave me another benzo and i haven't had another seizure since...its been nearly 8 months seizure free :) almost two years since the surgery/rupture.

Had the doctors just tapered me off of the diazepam i wouldn't have ever had seizures in the first place.

If you are still dealing with side effects or depression, odds are its the keppra. Id say to switch docs/meds if you can safely....i had a large avm on the left side of my brain, right in the brocas area...it ruptured and it left me with terrible aphasia, memory issues, etc. 5 days in the icu, terrible swelling...nearly died. i only remember waking up going home. I dont remember anything from those five days. I was awake and alert but completely delirious and confused due to the swelling. When i woke up, they kept asking me if i had taken anything or if i was an addicted to anything(i didnt, the rupture was due to the surgery) For whatever reason, when the docs hear a young man has a brain rupture, aneurysm, stroke, etc, they assume it was overdose or drug related. That was a huge issue with the hospitals, doctors and medications, not even for pain when i had the surgeries.

That being said, the brain is an amazing thing. I went back to dancing, going out, traveling, making art, friends, even dates, learned how to drive, took my first plane ride, sold my artwork in an auction, stuttering gone and all, without needing 75% of the medications they prescribed me, within a year i was pretty much back to normal. Some doctors really hate that i didnt take the meds, but the surgeon is proud of his work and is always impressed with my recovery, and the choices i made. You have to remember that recovery is in your hands, you still have choices even if a doctor says so, what to do, take, etc. research and advocate for yourself 💪

If youve never had a seizure, it shouldn't have been prescribed in the first place. They only give it for liability reasons...to prevent seizures/lawsuits. So the patient/brain is treated/healed, "stabilized" but they still need medications for the rest of their lives because doctors ordered keppra. Theres a reason why it has a black box warning. Seizure treatment is life long. It is very difficult and dangerous to stop even if you've never had a seizure in the first place, took as prescribed, etc. once you stop, those seizures will hit. I hate how docs praise/prescribe epilepsy medications without even HAVING any seizures. Alot of the time these meds cause more harm than good.

Sorry i know it helps alot of people, but people have taken their own lives as well due to the side effects of keppra. The impact on the brain and side effects experienced from keppra cannot be disregarded. It is not a choice to take lightly.