Training and anti-seizure medication

Training
1

Morning all,

Not sure if I’ll find anything here but thought there might be a chance others either had first or second hand experience and might be able to offer some thoughts/tips. Someone I coach at my local running club has history of epileptic seizures which from what I understand were mostly ‘lower grade’ and mostly blacking out until recently where they had a more severe one in their sleep recently. Apologies if im butchering the language on seizures but dont really have any direct experience.

Following the more recent incident they have been put on a medication called Brivaracetam which is an anti-seizure medication and they are on the medication for life as far as I know.

Since going on the medication they have found two of the main side effects of the medication is fatigue and bouts of dizziness. When this runner runs at track, they often have no issues performing and I think a combination of running with others and only have to run for up to a few minutes at a time is helping them focus. What they are telling me though is that since on the medication any longer runs (im not talking hours more 50-70 minutes) they are left feeling very fatigued both in the run and struggle to run and wiped out a bit after. They are a decent runner running close to 20 minutes 5k and have historically ran plenty of stuff longer so there is definitely a chance since the medication.

Obviously not looking for specific changes as they must always follow their doctors advice but does anyone have any experience of this. What worked for you or any of your athletes? Is there simply an adaptation period with the medication and the side effects will lessen? Does adjusting timing of taking the medication change how it affects exercise?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

2 Likes
2

My experience is that most epilepsy drugs can cause weird side effects. After all, they are designed to do things to the noggin.

For this reason it’s normal to start at a low dose and slowly build up.

Not much experience of the med you mention, but have seen a lot of people taking levatiratecam/ keppra which I assume is in the same class. They mostly seem to do ok. If they get fatigue, or other side effects, I imagine the neurologist overseeing the dose likely takes this on board when adjusting the dose initially.

I get the impression that in most cases, yes, mild side effects (teething effects they are sometimes called) settle with time but some people find there is a ceiling which they just can’t go above. And others just can’t get on with a drug in a particular class, so they end up changing to a different one.

2 Likes
3

Thanks Mate. Some good news amongst there and good to hear. I was talking through it with them the other day and some of the things we were talking about were ‘basics’ that could be improved like they were the sort of person to skip breakfast, crap lunch massive dinner so think there might be some other low hanging fruit.

At least gives us a few things to focus on whilst giving getting used to the meds so hopefully nudge stuff I. The right direction and if nothing changes can at least send them back to their doctor to ask about alternatives.

1 Like