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Personality changes
Fri, 01/07/2011 - 13:04My daughter was diagnosed with petit mal seizures or absence seizures over a year ago. She's been on both lamictal and topomax for the last 8 months. Recently we've noticed that she is starting to have several seizures a day ranging from very minor to strong. But one thing we've started to notice is that after several small ones she gets very mouthy, and doesn't listen, and well her personality changes from happy go lucky to mad and angry. Does anyone see this with their kids. I know she's a kid and will do those things but for her it seems to be amplified. We've done another EEG and will get the results next week. The neuro and I feel she is having more and I feel that the medication she is on is causing some of the behavorial problems.
Comments
Re: Personality changes
Submitted by Nerak95 on Fri, 2011-01-07 - 19:42
My daughter experienced irritability while being on Lamictal. If you can coincide the change in behavior to when either medication was started or increased, then that might be your answer.
Karen
My daughter experienced irritability while being on Lamictal. If you can coincide the change in behavior to when either medication was started or increased, then that might be your answer.
Karen
Re: Personality changes
Submitted by George R on Sat, 2011-01-08 - 15:49
Oh yes, both the knowledge that one can have a seizure at any time, usually without warning, AND the fact that he or she takes an anti-seizure drug can bring on a short temper, unnecessary anger, insecurity, etc. And this from an adult who has made it through middle age with epilepsy. I sometimes say that those crabby feelings that seem to pop up a day or so before my seizures are Mother Nature's way of saying, "Look out, my friend!". And for a day or two afterwards, don't come near me. Ask around and you'll hear people of all ages say that. My pills, while they may soften my seizures a bit, certainly do not eliminate them. And they do make me a far more dramatic man a couple times each month!
Oh yes, both the knowledge that one can have a seizure at any time, usually without warning, AND the fact that he or she takes an anti-seizure drug can bring on a short temper, unnecessary anger, insecurity, etc. And this from an adult who has made it through middle age with epilepsy. I sometimes say that those crabby feelings that seem to pop up a day or so before my seizures are Mother Nature's way of saying, "Look out, my friend!". And for a day or two afterwards, don't come near me. Ask around and you'll hear people of all ages say that. My pills, while they may soften my seizures a bit, certainly do not eliminate them. And they do make me a far more dramatic man a couple times each month!
Re: Personality changes
Submitted by angelacarwile on Fri, 2011-01-07 - 15:50
Sorry. I'm on my cell phone and it doesn't always cooperate. What I mean by memory triggers are things to help jog her memory-something attached with a specific emotion helped me the most. One of the best things you could do to help her right now is to start a seizure diary, not only documenting her seizures but what she was doing prior to and her reaction afterward. This will help you to pin point her triggers and give you an idea of what to stay away from. Another important thing I learned was to never take what the Dr's say at face value-learn for yourself. Although I give them credit where credit is due, their not always right. I was a guinea pig for way too long and had to learn the hard way. Things will start to get better once she begins to adjust, it's just hard for her right now. Sorry to be so nosey, but have you taken her to see a therapist or neuropsychologist? If not it may help her to express her emotions to a 3rd party then making it easier for her to open up to you as well. My phone may kick me off again so I better go but you can email me directly from my profile. Please keep me updated. Take care sweetie.