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.
Need advice on Depakote
Sat, 01/10/2015 - 00:01Hi there,
I'd love to hear from some parents whose kids have been on Depakote. Our doctor is prescribing it for our five-year-old son, as Keppra is no longer working to prevent his seizures. (He has partial seizures only at night as he's dropping off to sleep. They only last 20 or so but can be very intense, although he falls right back to sleep and doesn't remember them the next day.)
A few months ago, the doctor prescribed Trileptal, which led to Charlie having daytime seizures for the first time--sudden muscle weakness that led to falling and tremors. Boo. So that did not work out at all. We've read all sorts of scary stuff about Depakote but before we reject it outright based on fear, I'd love to hear what experiences others have had, good or bad.
Thanks so much!
Sara
We have been on Depokote
Submitted by melwang24275@yahoo.com on Wed, 2015-01-14 - 17:55
We have been on Depokote since Matthew was 3. This was after trying 4 other med and nothing was working. Depakote had been our medicine that works. We had some side effects at first like tiredness, overheating when the weather was hot, and more hungry. But after while that seemed to go away. We still have to monitor his eating because of this medicine but he has done well. We also have been seizure free since age 8. Every medicine has side effect and none of them are better or worse then the other. It mainly comes down to what will work for your child and unfortunately you have to take the risk. Lamectical caused Matthew to have Atonic seizures which had not had before he had that med. Dr took him off immediately. Kipper turned my child in to a hell child as I called it. Some of the others hyped him out way to much. Depakote works so far for us and we monitor his levels closely.