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What Causes Dizziness, Intermittent Headache And Neck Pain When Diagnosed With Epilepsy?

Posted on Mon, 4 Jul 2016

Question: Hi I am 29 yrs old and working as a cashier in a Bank. I had a seizure one month back and was diagnosed with Epilepsy. I am instructed by the neurologist to take LEVIPIL 750 mg tablet twice a day for atleast 3 years. I feel dizziness, intermittent headache & pain on my neck while taking this medicine. As I am working as a cashier I am little apprehensive about the risk of my job and worry whether my disease could negatively impact during work time. The dizziness usually comes around 12.30 p m and would decrease after taking food along with some high suaerated soft drinks. This is the case for me for the past few years especially when I am outside my home or workplace. On the day of seizure I had the same symptoms and fainted inside the hotel while ordering meal.
My doubt is 1) whether these symptoms happened due to low blood sugar (Which was 72 @ the time of seizure)
2)Should I continue to take this medicine for long time as I am only 29 yrs old
3) Weather my disease would create problems at my workplace as I am involved in risky job

Kindly advice me accordingly.....

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get treatment as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Diagnosis of seizure is based on clinical presentation and supportive evidence is acquired by Mri brain and eeg.
Normal investigation doesn't rule out seizure.
The drug levetiracetam is usually prescribed in 500 mg twice daily if weight less than 60 kg, but higher doses may be required in Greater weight.
Side effects like dizziness, memory problem, concentration problems, agitation is common with levetiracetam.
You can either get you dose decreased to 500 mg twice daily if weight is less or take Valproate in same dosage.
The duration of therapy in seizure is 2-3 years of fully controlled seizure.
No significant work problem exist with this disorder.
Take precautions like timely food, drugs and sleep, avoid drinking, night awakening, open roof top, swimming pool, fire places and driving.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries with reports.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (56 minutes later)

Sir,
I still have my doubts...
1) Does taking Levipil for 3 years damage my body organs(Kidney/Liver etc)
2) Will the side effects like dizziness,Memory problems etc by taking LEVIPIL cease in a certain period of time? If so at what time frame?
3) Is there a possibility that I fainted due to low blood sugar as I am a person who sweats profusely and drink lot of water daily. Eating sugar contained food immediately at the time of dizziness solved my problem many a time. If so what is the relation between sugar rich food & dizziness.

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get evaluated by an endocrinologist too

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Levipil will not harm liver or kidney if there functions are normal.
The initial side effects settles in a month time and if persists then get dose adjusted or change the drug group.
Since dizziness episodes were previous to this seizure episode, it can not be the same.
Hypoglycemia is defined as sugar less than 70 in adults and you are not falling into that category.
If you are not diabetic then other causes of low sugar should be evaluated.
Dizziness can also occur in migraine which is precipitated by delayed or skipped meals.
You can upload all reports and prescription for better analysis of situation.
Till then continue drugs if treating physician is suspecting it a seizure episode.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina