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.

Help me -- my son has become someone else

Fri, 07/27/2007 - 01:21
My almost 8yo son was diagnosed with complex partial seizures this past January. He was on trileptal at first, but had more seizures than ever. We changed medications to Keppra (and changed doctors as well!) in June, and the seizures have improved (I guess that's the way to put it...). However, he seems depressed; he has become hostile and aggressive; and he has some anger management issues. We are so new to this -- we didn't know if this is just an age "thing" or if it is the meds. His twin is experiencing some of this attitudinal stuff, but in a different way -- their personalities are opposites to begin with -- which is why we wondered if it was the age. After reading lots of posts on this website, I am sitting here in tears, wondering what this disease is doing to my son's brain; his once-positive, sweet, helpful, compassionate nature; and to our family. How do I handle this? What do I tell the dr.? How do I discipline, while still giving allowances for the meds, but without making this a crutch or an excuse for horrible behavior? Any advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks. Kim

Comments

Re: Help me -- my son has become someone else

Submitted by momneedinganswers on Mon, 2007-07-30 - 00:19
Thank you all so much for the support and advice. Sounds like we might need another visit to the dr. about this Keppra. I can certainly relate to the KeppRAGE comment!! I will look forward to finding the books and checking them out. Thanks for caring. Have a great Monday. Kim

Re: Help me -- my son has become someone else

Submitted by Shar on Tue, 2007-07-31 - 10:28
Hi Kim, My daughter was diagnosed at 8yo and was on trileptal for about 7 months after her second grand mal with no problem. Then it was like she changed overnight and starting having complex partials. Her neuro increased her dosage a few times and each time she got more angry and aggressive. Her neuro then tried lamictal and she got the rash from it so we waited a month and she started a low dose of keppra, increasing each week and was weaned off the trileptal. I have to say the keppra has controlled her seizures and she is actually not as nasty and aggresive as when she was on trileptal but now she is very emotional. Cries at the drop of a hat. Her neuro has her taking 2 1/2ml in the morning and 4 1/2ml at bedtime to control that. Most of these medications from what I have seen and read, cause changes in personality to some point. Some more significant than others. I am going to try her on the B6 too. Seems like it helps. Good luck and you are definitely not alone in this! Shar

Re: Re: Help me -- my son has become someone else

Submitted by momneedinganswers on Wed, 2007-08-01 - 00:26
We have just (today) upped our B6 to 400 mg per day. Hopefully, this will help. The neuro nurse said if it didn't to call immediately. Thanks to everyone who responded. It is wonderful to have a support group -- unless you are living it, you just can't understand what it is like. God bless! Kim

Sign Up for Emails

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