Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

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 LISALAVA224 on Wed, 2011-03-30 - 09:10

I would love to know if I can get a team of neurologists to attest to the fact that my son's wacky/uncontrollable behavior may just be due to depakote..he is 9 and takes 875 mg daily (500 in am and 375 in pm), as well as 18 mg of Concerta in the am.

I have been asking dr (s) to please put him on something else...this drug not helping/makes worse...he does NOT have epilepsy by the way, he has some behavioral issues/mood disorder (maybe caused by medication and not his actual diagnosis????) 

Why do all child psychiatrists seem to insist that Depakote is proper medication for him (every kid)????

Would love someone to back me up...so at least we can try another method.  Residential treatment/schooling is LOOMING large..don't want to go that route and want to first attempt ALL other medicational/therapeutic options.

I would love to know if I can get a team of neurologists to attest to the fact that my son's wacky/uncontrollable behavior may just be due to depakote..he is 9 and takes 875 mg daily (500 in am and 375 in pm), as well as 18 mg of Concerta in the am.

I have been asking dr (s) to please put him on something else...this drug not helping/makes worse...he does NOT have epilepsy by the way, he has some behavioral issues/mood disorder (maybe caused by medication and not his actual diagnosis????) 

Why do all child psychiatrists seem to insist that Depakote is proper medication for him (every kid)????

Would love someone to back me up...so at least we can try another method.  Residential treatment/schooling is LOOMING large..don't want to go that route and want to first attempt ALL other medicational/therapeutic options.

Re: Depakote, Behaviors, and personality

Submitted by donsjr on Sun, 2011-09-25 - 17:56
My son is also 9 w/ adhd and most likely a mood disorder, in the family. We have been thru several Dr and this one is the best by far. He is on 2.5mg of Abilify & 27mg Concerta in the morning, 25mg Stratera in the afternoon (after school), and 1mg of Abilify before bed. At night he may also take 5mg Meletonin to help him sleep. He is a different boy!!!! We can leave him at parties and not have that knot in our stomach and he is doing AMAZING in school!!!! I am not sure this will help, but keep searching.

Re: Depakote, Behaviors, and personality

Submitted by starlite on Mon, 2011-06-06 - 18:58
I hope you are still reading here. I would really like the names of your son's neurologists. My daughter has been diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder since being put on Depakote for seizures and her doctors say there is no connection. Her entire personality has changed and she also has profound retrograde amnesia....not remembering many years of her life. Has anyone ever heard of that being caused by Depakote? It started when she was put on that medication. Anyone else with similar experience?

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.