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.

Uncontrolled seizures and behavior "rage attacks"

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 15:24

My son (6 year old) was diagnosed with generalized epilepsy last May. He started out having absense seizures, and was put on depakote 2X a day.  Over the summer his seizures got seemingly worse and his depakote was increased.  Fast forward to now, my son suffers from absence, complex partials, focal, and now tonic clonic seizures. His depakote was increased yet again to it's max dose 1250mg 2X a day. His neuro added clonazepam to try and reduce his night time seizures (which seemed to be working as he has stopped wetting the bed), since that's his worst time for seizures is when he's sleeping. He has more bad days than good.  My question is does anyone else's child suffer from generalized epilepsy (frontal lobe) and have a vast amount of rage attacks?  As I am typing this he is in his room screaming and kicking the door just because.  We go through this at least 3 times a day. I really don't know what to do any more, but he's becoming increasingly violent. His neuro tried changing meds about 3 weeks ago after his tonic clonic to topamax, but that only made his rage attacks so much worse, so he pulled him off of it after only 5 days.  Any suggestions? We just had a protien analysis done to figure out what meds work best with his body, and it came back with depakote, but it's obviously not working as he's still having 3-5 seizures daily. Any suggestions would be helpful. 

Comments

I am sooo sorry for the all

Submitted by Hope Artistica on Wed, 2016-01-20 - 19:06
I am sooo sorry for the all the trouble you have gone through. I am an epileptic and so is my identical twin.  We developed it shortly after entering college and have had it now for 12 years.  We have tonic-clonic seizures, predominately while sleeping. We have tried 7 different types of medications and the side effects have been EXHAUSTING!! As an epileptic, I will tell you that every med I have been on has effected my emotions.  The first med I was on gave me surges of rage and I had never been a person who struggled with my temper.  Now, after years and a lot of tests, I discovered I seize in the temperal lope, specifically the part of my brain where my memory and emotions are controlled.  This, along with the side effects of the medications made it difficult at times!!! I struggled with anger for a long season.However, I learned that Zonisamide (zonegran) has had the least side effects on me, including emotional side effects.  I also was informed that it may help best with those who seize while sleeping.  Other things that have greatly helped are going GLUTEN FREE or switching to a ketogenic diet, EXERCISE, vit b6 supplements, MAGNESIUM supplements, and going to a CHIROPRACTOR!!! My experience with doctors was  simply to continually be pushed to increase my medications while then having to deal with their side effects.  The meds never fully worked either so I encourage you to pursue every avenue you can for treatment, even unique ones.  The doctor who changed my life wasn't a neurologist.I am so sorry!!!! This road is so difficult!

Sign Up for Emails

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