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confused
Sun, 12/19/2010 - 15:06Hi, my newly diagnosed 9yr old son seems to have side effects with his meds and I need advice.
He is on Keppra 500mg 2x a day and Dakapote 125mg 2x a day. He is having a lot of anger issues and mood swings. He will be fine, playing with the dog, then bam...cussing and throwing things. We walk on eggshells so we don't upset him but that's no way to live. I need options. Does anyone have some advice?
Why do doctors tend to give more than one med at a time? Wouldn't it be better for the patient (and the mom!) ? I dont know, I'm just a little overwhelmed and this is all so new to us.
Typically what is Keppra pescribed for? The ER doc gave us keppra after his second seizure. This was before we knew what type of seizures he had. He has absence/ tonic-clonic seizures. im lost. thanks.
Comments
Re: confused
Submitted by Spike. on Sun, 2010-12-19 - 17:43
I don't know how much time has passed from when your son was first diagnosed with having epilepsy, up until when you created this topic thread, but if it's been less than 3 months, and if your son's current doctor is not a neurologist, then my suggestion is to get your son scheduled to see a neurologist. If a neurologist is the one who prescribed your son to take the medications your son is taking now, then my suggestion is to get a different neurologist.
When a patient has been first diagnosed with having epilepsy, and is diagnosed with having a particular type, or types, of of seizures, then what the doctor should be doing is prescribing the patient with only one antiepileptic medication, at the lowest dosage amount available. And if the patient reaches a point where the medication is producing untolerable side effects and unsatisfactory seizure control, then that is when a doctor is supposed to switch the patient over to a different, single antiepileptic medication. Already prescribing a patient to take 500 mg of Keppra twice a day, along with 125 mgs of Depakote 2x a day; then what's the purpose of the 250 mg tablet of Keppra? And I wouldn't be surprised if that doctor hasn't said anything to you or your son about the Ketogenic Diet.
Instead of going into a lot of details, I'm just going to post a link to a website that I highly recommend. The resource and collection of information was created by a neuropsychologist, who has a great amount of knowledge pertaining to seizures and epilepsy. Back in the year 2005, he created two separate, three-part series of articles; and then another series of articles in the year 2009, published in Exceptional Parent magazine. All of these articles are available starting at this website... http://www.theseeprogram.com/html/s_e_e__library.html
Even though the series of articles were in a magazine pertaining to kids, a lot of the information explained can pretty much be applied to anyone with epilepsy.
Bruce (I'm not a doctor, but instead, an epilepsy support group leader, epilepsy advocate, who has epilepsy.)
I don't know how much time has passed from when your son was first diagnosed with having epilepsy, up until when you created this topic thread, but if it's been less than 3 months, and if your son's current doctor is not a neurologist, then my suggestion is to get your son scheduled to see a neurologist. If a neurologist is the one who prescribed your son to take the medications your son is taking now, then my suggestion is to get a different neurologist.
When a patient has been first diagnosed with having epilepsy, and is diagnosed with having a particular type, or types, of of seizures, then what the doctor should be doing is prescribing the patient with only one antiepileptic medication, at the lowest dosage amount available. And if the patient reaches a point where the medication is producing untolerable side effects and unsatisfactory seizure control, then that is when a doctor is supposed to switch the patient over to a different, single antiepileptic medication. Already prescribing a patient to take 500 mg of Keppra twice a day, along with 125 mgs of Depakote 2x a day; then what's the purpose of the 250 mg tablet of Keppra? And I wouldn't be surprised if that doctor hasn't said anything to you or your son about the Ketogenic Diet.
Instead of going into a lot of details, I'm just going to post a link to a website that I highly recommend. The resource and collection of information was created by a neuropsychologist, who has a great amount of knowledge pertaining to seizures and epilepsy. Back in the year 2005, he created two separate, three-part series of articles; and then another series of articles in the year 2009, published in Exceptional Parent magazine. All of these articles are available starting at this website... http://www.theseeprogram.com/html/s_e_e__library.html
Even though the series of articles were in a magazine pertaining to kids, a lot of the information explained can pretty much be applied to anyone with epilepsy.
Bruce (I'm not a doctor, but instead, an epilepsy support group leader, epilepsy advocate, who has epilepsy.)
Re: confused
Submitted by saredmom on Mon, 2010-12-20 - 09:42
Thanks Bruce.
My son us under a neurologist's care at Children's in my city. They are very highly recomended by everyone here. He was diagnosed just last month.
I guess I am just a little overwhelmed. This is so new to me. So I guess I forgot to ask the question about the mutiple meds. You know how it happens...you prepare a long list for the doctor..they answer most except the ones you needed answered most.
I will ask why we can't lower (or taper completly) the Keppra next time we have an appointment. The more I read about it, the more I can't wait to get rid of it! He is having classic anger/ frustration fits. It is just not like him. I too wondered why he was on the 500mg pill rather than the 250. I am learning slowly but surly. Maybe it is based on weight? He is over 100lbs.
Now, I took a long look at that website you posted and..it is wonderful! Thank you so much! It is diected to parents in regular language...not medical lingo. It did make me feel better, thank you.
Thanks Bruce.
My son us under a neurologist's care at Children's in my city. They are very highly recomended by everyone here. He was diagnosed just last month.
I guess I am just a little overwhelmed. This is so new to me. So I guess I forgot to ask the question about the mutiple meds. You know how it happens...you prepare a long list for the doctor..they answer most except the ones you needed answered most.
I will ask why we can't lower (or taper completly) the Keppra next time we have an appointment. The more I read about it, the more I can't wait to get rid of it! He is having classic anger/ frustration fits. It is just not like him. I too wondered why he was on the 500mg pill rather than the 250. I am learning slowly but surly. Maybe it is based on weight? He is over 100lbs.
Now, I took a long look at that website you posted and..it is wonderful! Thank you so much! It is diected to parents in regular language...not medical lingo. It did make me feel better, thank you.
Re: confused
Submitted by JeffreyPurdy@yahoo.com on Sun, 2010-12-19 - 16:02
Jeffrey purdy Hi there Saredmom I know it can be confusing but keppra is used in the tretment for the kind of sezures you 9 year old has tonic-colic sezures . you can look under treaments on this web page under sezure meds you will find what you are looking for ....but you may want to call the doctor. how long has he been on his meds he is taking now. I take keppra . if you can thank of anything i can help you with let me know. best wishes .