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Depakote--How long does it take?
Fri, 07/29/2005 - 23:37I will be starting my 8-year-old daughter on Depakote tomorrow (she was diagnosed with absence ep. Wednesday). I was just wondering if anyone can tell me about how many days it takes for this drug to get into your system. Her ped. neur. said "a few days," but I was hoping for a few specifics (2 days? 4? 10?...)
Thanks so much!
Comments
Re: RE: RE: Depakote--How long does it take?
Submitted by nflfan7 on Mon, 2009-08-03 - 16:25
Hi Melissa,
My 6 year old girl was put on Depakote yesterday for absence seizures and your description of your daugher in 2005 seems very similar to the way I would describe mine. Did Depakote turn out to be a good drug for her? Did you stop the other drugs?
Thank you.
Hi Melissa,
My 6 year old girl was put on Depakote yesterday for absence seizures and your description of your daugher in 2005 seems very similar to the way I would describe mine. Did Depakote turn out to be a good drug for her? Did you stop the other drugs?
Thank you.
RE: RE: RE: Depakote--How long does it take?
Submitted by jwhill7341 on Mon, 2005-08-01 - 10:09
Melissa:
My 7 year old was diagnosed with absence seizures in June. He was put on Zonegran and we noticed major changes in his behvaior within the first two weeks--all of the kinds of things you are seeing with your daughter. He is off zonegran now and we have had him on Lamictal for about a month. No change in his seizures yet, but he is still far more emotional than he ever was before the medication. He is also more possessive, easier to anger and absent minded. He tells us he is frustrated because he has such a "bad memory" --something he never complained about before. I don't know how much of this is the medication and how much stems from his attempts to understand what is happening to him, but there has definetly been a change for the worse in his behavior since we started the various medications.
jwh
Melissa:
My 7 year old was diagnosed with absence seizures in June. He was put on Zonegran and we noticed major changes in his behvaior within the first two weeks--all of the kinds of things you are seeing with your daughter. He is off zonegran now and we have had him on Lamictal for about a month. No change in his seizures yet, but he is still far more emotional than he ever was before the medication. He is also more possessive, easier to anger and absent minded. He tells us he is frustrated because he has such a "bad memory" --something he never complained about before. I don't know how much of this is the medication and how much stems from his attempts to understand what is happening to him, but there has definetly been a change for the worse in his behavior since we started the various medications.
jwh
RE: RE: Depakote--How long does it take?
Submitted by mlisa73 on Sun, 2005-07-31 - 12:52
That makes complete sense. I never thought of that, but yeah.. she also is weekly increasing her dosage, so yes, I can see where it would take 2 weeks if you're doing a gradual increase. I'll just be so glad to get her off the Ritalin. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something. Like I had mentioned in an earlier post, my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. Well, I've done lots of research on ab. ep., and I haven't really found any details on a child's behavior who has it. My daughter has little quirks (whether on Ritalin or not--whines and/or cries excessively; seems obsessed with things, like collecting things or having everything gathered together in one location; order and routine; possessive [she freaks out if one of her sibs takes something of hers]; picky about simple things; often scatter-brained [switches from one thought or activity to another; often trails off when she's talking like she's at a loss for words or something]; sometimes violent; somewhat socially alienated) (I could probably go on and on). But I was curious if your son displays any kind of out-of-the-ordinary behavior, since they're close in age? Although I'm trying to be optimistic about this, I have a feeling that she may actually have ADHD in addition to the AE. Also, another question, if you don't mind. What effect has the Depakote had on your son, other than seizure control? I mean, have you seen it affect his general behavior? Thanks so much for you help!
Melissa
That makes complete sense. I never thought of that, but yeah.. she also is weekly increasing her dosage, so yes, I can see where it would take 2 weeks if you're doing a gradual increase. I'll just be so glad to get her off the Ritalin. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something. Like I had mentioned in an earlier post, my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. Well, I've done lots of research on ab. ep., and I haven't really found any details on a child's behavior who has it. My daughter has little quirks (whether on Ritalin or not--whines and/or cries excessively; seems obsessed with things, like collecting things or having everything gathered together in one location; order and routine; possessive [she freaks out if one of her sibs takes something of hers]; picky about simple things; often scatter-brained [switches from one thought or activity to another; often trails off when she's talking like she's at a loss for words or something]; sometimes violent; somewhat socially alienated) (I could probably go on and on). But I was curious if your son displays any kind of out-of-the-ordinary behavior, since they're close in age? Although I'm trying to be optimistic about this, I have a feeling that she may actually have ADHD in addition to the AE. Also, another question, if you don't mind. What effect has the Depakote had on your son, other than seizure control? I mean, have you seen it affect his general behavior? Thanks so much for you help!
Melissa