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Help!!!! How do you get a child off Depakote?
Fri, 04/01/2016 - 20:21Topic: Medication Issues
My four year old son is on Depakote. He has been on if for 2 years. Over the past year my fun loving well-mannered child began to disappear. In January the doctor increased his meds because he was still having seizures. March 4th he increased it again. With each increase my sons behavior became more uncontrollable. He started growling at the teachers, loss of attention span, mood swings that are so extreme, loss of appetite and many other behavior issues. My four year old went as far as telling me he wanted to go to heaven that he just can't take it any more! I feel so helpless!! I have reached out to his dr and they suggested to send him to a psychiatrist! My son is this way because of the meds! I have read countless blogs of similar behavior from others. So the only way they would make any medicine changes was if we drove to the drs office 3 hrs away. I will drive across the country for my son! However, we get there and I advise the doctor that I want him off the depakote as fast and safe as possible. I understand there is a weaning period but he will not wean my son at this time. Mind you the depakote does not even control my sons seizures he has had at least 10 in the past year still. So the doctor advises he is adding topamax. The doctor did not address any side effects of Topamax. At this point I am thankful that the local pharmacy does not have it in stock! I have read several posts about how some children do not sweat and they over heat.. My son already has an issue with overheating after running around for just a few mins! The doctor never asked or even advised this could happen. Then I also read parents noticed there children at times were not even able to string together sentences. Please help!!!! Does anyone have any suggestions or recommend any pediatric neurologists in NY! Sorry if this may sound so jumbled but I am at a loss and have been emotional. I just feel so helpless! I don't want my son to have seizures (that depakote is not even controlling) but I need my happy boy back!
Comments
Hi TiffanyYou seem to be in
Submitted by margiefox118@live.com on Sat, 2016-04-16 - 14:33
Hi TiffanyYou seem to be in great control of your seizures and your own personal needs as well! You know what to do about side effects and that these are minimal compared to having seizures instead.I enjoyed your positive post and your positive attitude as well. Wish more people like this would share their experiences. I've had epilepsy which always tied in to my high estrogen levels since puberty. This caused a great weight loss high bone density and other good things as well. After menopause my brain started making its own so I went thru a 2nd puberty which increased my breast size too. I am now 61 but have the body of a teenager and look more like 40. When a teen I weighed 155 now at 105-110. I still have daily seizures but am now trying a fantastic new drug. Keep up the good work and you'll have no worries! When you do want to have a child I'm sure you know what to do Read my story under Women with epilepsy titled Want to hear a funny one? and you'll see what I mean. All the Best- Margie
Please don't dismiss the
Submitted by margiefox118@live.com on Tue, 2016-04-05 - 17:16
Please don't dismiss the doctor's advice about a psychiatrist to help your son. This may be just what he needs to help him cope with his moods and adjust to the drug he needs for his seizures. He can talk to somebody else share his experiences then and they will understand and help him to feel more normal. This is not a bad thing for him and will help relieve some of your stress also. You must get over being anti-drug if this was a malfunction of any other part you wouldn't be. A professional in psychiatry will be able to help you both