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Kepprage or behavioral problems? (kinda long)

Thu, 05/24/2007 - 18:03
Hello, Sorry this is a bit long.I'm searching for insight into distinguishing "Kepprage" from behavioral problems. My 4 year old son was diagnosed with epilepsy (idopathic and no diagnosis of type despite multiple EEGs) last August. He's been on Keppra 2ML 2x/day, which has successfully controlled the tonic-clonic seizures. He has a history of (relatively mild) oppositional defiance and aggression, mostly with myself and my husband. In the past couple months his aggression toward us has escallated dramatically. He now scratches and hits wildly, purposefully trying to hurt us, mostly when frustrated and being defiant, but occassionaly it seems out of nowhere or simply as a result of being "wound up." Just saw his neuro today and she thinks it's behavioral, not the Keppra, because of 1. his history, 2. that it only happens with us - he's never attacked anyone else the way he does with us, and 3. the behavior comes on and subsides suddenly - he demonstrated in her office today by attacking me when I tried to get him to let her examine him, so I guess it was good she got a first hand look at what he's been doing. For any of you out there who've had experience with Kepprage, can you tell me what it was/is like for your child? Does it happen across the board - with you and at school, with babysitters/grandparents, etc? Does it start and stop suddenly or gradually? Our neuro would like us to stay on Keppra and I would too, since we know it's working to stop the seizures. We have seen a social worker and had psychlogical evals but since their plans (consistent consequences, etc) aren't working, they think it's the med. The neuro thinks it's more likely a behavior problem that hasn't been appropriately diagnosed yet. I am very confused and want to get my son the right help!! Thank you for any insight anyone can offer. Cynthia

Comments

Re: Kepprage or behavioral problems? (kinda long)

Submitted by NiksDad on Mon, 2007-05-28 - 12:15
I have a 3 1/2 year old boy taking Keppra (6 ml twice a day). He also has behavioral issues. Usually within an hour after taking it his mood will change suddenly and he gets fussy and somtimes throws his toys around. It's only a few times a day and most of the time he's a sweety. The Keppra does seem to be working but we have to keep upping his dosage. We also have a tough time giving it to him since he doesn't like the taste.

Re: Re: Kepprage or behavioral problems? (kinda long)

Submitted by EthansMom on Mon, 2007-05-28 - 19:39
Thanks for the reply. I wanted to let you know that our son didn't like the grape taste and we've been having the pharmacy flavor it - he's tried strawberry (his favorite), green apple (liked it) and bananna (doesn't like it). Also, we just started B6 which is supposed to help with the behavior so you might want to try that.

Re: Kepprage or behavioral problems? (kinda long)

Submitted by kaitlynsmom on Tue, 2007-05-29 - 17:13
Hello! My daugther Kaitlyn just started to take Keppra, and has only been on it for 5 days but I can tell a huge difference in her attitude. She started out with .5 ml 2x daily is now up to 1 ml 2x daily and then next week it will be 2 ml 2x daily. She has had to start a little slower than what they originally thought from an adverse reaction in the beginning. She is getting very angry, very fast. She seems to do it more with me than anyone else and doesn't do it at all towards her grandparents. So I do think that they seem to do it with some people and not the other. Kaitlyn will attack her brother, totally unprovoked. Out of no where she will scream and then calm down, and then a few minutes later just "ahhh" it is really weird and kind of hard to explain. But it sounds like your son is doing similar behaviors. Kaitlyn will try to kick me, hit me, pinch me, scratch me.. and then all of the sudden she stops and seems to feel bad for what she did. We have a hard time telling for sure what is what with her behaviors and people are always telling us that it's her terrible 2's but I think/know that it's not that. This has all started the same time that she started to have seizures, and now the behaviors are worse with the Keppra. I have heard from a number of other people that while taking Keppra to take B6, and that helps with behaviors. I am trying to find out if there is anyway to give it to my daugther in hopes that it will help. It's worth a try! Good luck! Emily

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