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Depakote, Behaviors, and personality

Mon, 02/11/2008 - 19:22
My 7 year old daughter was diagnosed with Epilepsy a year ago this coming April.  She has been on Depakote since the beginning.  It seems to be doing very well at controlling the seizures, but she has become a whole different child.  It breaks my heart, and every day seems to get a little bit worse.  She is regressing academicaly, socially, and emotionally.  Her neuro seems to think it is all "behavior issues".  He doesn't want to change the meds but has mentioned it a couple of times.  He seems to think she will be like this no matter what we put her on.  I want my little girl back.  Anybody else struggling with this?

Comments

Re: Depakote, Behaviors, and personality

Submitted by Dragool on Mon, 2008-03-10 - 23:19
I've heard of many people on this website getting frustrated with their neurologists. I, too, am one of them. Looking for a new neuro is an excellent idea. I just don't understand why some neurologists don't listen to their patients and the patient's families. They learn everything from books, but they should really take the time to learn from the patients themselves. And not just say "Well, that shouldn't be happening because according to this book, Depakote doesn't do that...This is the best drug you can be on." Just because the patients symptoms don't line up with other studies doesn't mean that they're not real.

Re: Depakote, Behaviors, and personality

Submitted by nytasha on Tue, 2008-03-11 - 08:21
Exactly!  He keeps telling me that it probably won't matter what med we put her on, she will still have side effects.  I realize it is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking to me.  She can't live the rest of her life this way, she has a whole life ahead of her yet.

Re: Depakote, Behaviors, and personality

Submitted by bearrug on Wed, 2008-03-19 - 12:19

I, like many others on here, have epilepsy my entire life and have been on depakote for over 10 years.  It has taken care of my epilepsy issues but according to many it has effected me socially and academically.  I don't know if I totally agree but I do know my mother strongly believed it to the point she still feels I should change medications.  I will agree with a constant shake which is very embarrising in social situations and I never studdered until after taking it.  As for academics they fell from As to Bs and the occasional C which is probably my fault for not studying as much.  I've been told that since taking the pill I have changed from being more carefree to irratible and arguementative.  If these are truths I am not one to say.  I do know I am not very good in social situations which was never a problem as a kid but people change when they grow up so I can't strictly blame the medicine.  If this helps anyone with children in addressing what their child will be like as they grow up I am glad I could help.  I went through many pills as a child and none of which worked like depakote has.  My biggest problem personally is the shaking as I am percieved by many as a jittery or nervous person.  Also, to add I am not a soda or coffee drinker and very rarely drink alcohal.

I, like many others on here, have epilepsy my entire life and have been on depakote for over 10 years.  It has taken care of my epilepsy issues but according to many it has effected me socially and academically.  I don't know if I totally agree but I do know my mother strongly believed it to the point she still feels I should change medications.  I will agree with a constant shake which is very embarrising in social situations and I never studdered until after taking it.  As for academics they fell from As to Bs and the occasional C which is probably my fault for not studying as much.  I've been told that since taking the pill I have changed from being more carefree to irratible and arguementative.  If these are truths I am not one to say.  I do know I am not very good in social situations which was never a problem as a kid but people change when they grow up so I can't strictly blame the medicine.  If this helps anyone with children in addressing what their child will be like as they grow up I am glad I could help.  I went through many pills as a child and none of which worked like depakote has.  My biggest problem personally is the shaking as I am percieved by many as a jittery or nervous person.  Also, to add I am not a soda or coffee drinker and very rarely drink alcohal.

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