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6 year old son w/epilepsy & behavior problems
Mon, 06/28/2004 - 19:34Comments
RE: 11 yr. old w/epilepsy & behavior problems
Submitted by grtchf on Sun, 2005-05-22 - 11:42
My daughter is 11 and was diagnosed when she was 5 1/2 yrs. old. She went undiagnosed for the first 2 yrs., until she had a major seizure which required an ambulance and a trip to the ER. In any event she is also displaying behavior problems, lack of concentration, difficulty particularly with spelling, and reading. However, her grades in general are ok. I'm beginning to wonder how much is related to the epilepsy/medication, and how much is manipulation. She was diagnosed with atonic clonic seizures. She is currently taking depakote 250mg 2x/day and lamictal 3x/day (can't think of the exact amount right this minute, sorry).
It's such an uphill battle to get her to focus on chores, school, and homework. She also experiences migraines and stomach sickness. I've taken her to the doctors numerous times to rule out any problems from the lamictal to ulcers, tumors, you name it. So far everything has come back normal.
I'm thinking of changing her ped neuro too. I did get a second opinion a couple years back and that was a horrible experience, so I'm reluctant to try again. The second opinion came back that she didn't have epilepsy and we could stop all medications immediately. Thank God for mothers intuition, I didn't follow that advise!! I can't imagine just stopping her meds let alone continuing to allow my daughter to be under her care. Sorry I'm babbling her it still makes me angry to this day when I think about that event.
Anyway, I'm looking for help and if there's anyone out there that is going through this and has some advise to share I would love to hear from you too. I would love any and all advise!
Thank You,
Lisa
My daughter is 11 and was diagnosed when she was 5 1/2 yrs. old. She went undiagnosed for the first 2 yrs., until she had a major seizure which required an ambulance and a trip to the ER. In any event she is also displaying behavior problems, lack of concentration, difficulty particularly with spelling, and reading. However, her grades in general are ok. I'm beginning to wonder how much is related to the epilepsy/medication, and how much is manipulation. She was diagnosed with atonic clonic seizures. She is currently taking depakote 250mg 2x/day and lamictal 3x/day (can't think of the exact amount right this minute, sorry).
It's such an uphill battle to get her to focus on chores, school, and homework. She also experiences migraines and stomach sickness. I've taken her to the doctors numerous times to rule out any problems from the lamictal to ulcers, tumors, you name it. So far everything has come back normal.
I'm thinking of changing her ped neuro too. I did get a second opinion a couple years back and that was a horrible experience, so I'm reluctant to try again. The second opinion came back that she didn't have epilepsy and we could stop all medications immediately. Thank God for mothers intuition, I didn't follow that advise!! I can't imagine just stopping her meds let alone continuing to allow my daughter to be under her care. Sorry I'm babbling her it still makes me angry to this day when I think about that event.
Anyway, I'm looking for help and if there's anyone out there that is going through this and has some advise to share I would love to hear from you too. I would love any and all advise!
Thank You,
Lisa
RE: 6 year old son w/epilepsy & behavior problems
Submitted by jmmjmm1 on Sun, 2005-05-22 - 11:16
Be sure to recognize that he is a kid first... and that he has epilepsy second. And also, the behavioral changes you speak of could not only could result from medication, but they could actually be a form of seizure, perhaps the absence type, for example, or another type, the type with auras. And send him to a summer camp if you are having trouble letting him do some KIDDY activities. It will definitly give you all a break from one another and there are those who are designed for kids with special needs-- I work for one in LA for kids with E and there is a Camp Roundup section in Epilepsy USA, also a section about all the camps in the US on epilepsyfoundation.org online. Check it out and good luck! All will work out, just gotta grow with him.
Take care! Jamie
Be sure to recognize that he is a kid first... and that he has epilepsy second. And also, the behavioral changes you speak of could not only could result from medication, but they could actually be a form of seizure, perhaps the absence type, for example, or another type, the type with auras. And send him to a summer camp if you are having trouble letting him do some KIDDY activities. It will definitly give you all a break from one another and there are those who are designed for kids with special needs-- I work for one in LA for kids with E and there is a Camp Roundup section in Epilepsy USA, also a section about all the camps in the US on epilepsyfoundation.org online. Check it out and good luck! All will work out, just gotta grow with him.
Take care! Jamie