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6 year old son w/epilepsy & behavior problems

Mon, 06/28/2004 - 19:34
Topic: Family & Friends
This is my first time on any sort of discussion format...but I need to talk to other parents of children w/epilepsy. My son had his first seizure about 3 years ago and up until this past year they were always during the waking hours. He is now having them during the daytime and more frequently. His medication has been uped significantly and we are having so many behavioral problems with him. I don't know what is related to epilepsy and what is just "him," I am also having such a difficult time letting him out of my sight, as I worry about him having a seizure when he is in a dangerous spot such as climbing or swimming and he is such an active boy. I would really appreciate hearing from a parent in a similiar situation. Thank you.

Comments

RE: 6 year old son w/epilepsy & behavior problems

Submitted by TRAVISMOM on Fri, 2005-04-08 - 05:00
My son is 18 almost 19 now. He is without a doubt an angel . He has never given us a problem since he was in probably the later elementary grade years...but before that , especially when he was at the ages of 2 through 10 at least, he had terrible tantrums that I could not control or stop!!! Now I know it was the epilepsy! But it did get better - and now he is so wonderful. His seizures are not under control right now. I would definitely get a second opinion and try other meds, Tegretol and trileptal worked great for my son for a while.God Bless, and I will keep you in prayer.

RE: 6 year old son w/epilepsy & behavior problems

Submitted by Treebear74 on Thu, 2005-05-19 - 08:59
Hi, This is my first time responding to a discussion but this is one that hits very close to home. My 9 yr. old son has E. and we have had a lot of behavior poblems the last couple of years. I have discovered that as they get older the bahavior gets worse. I think that alot is the meds. but a lot is frustration at the seizures and the limits that it sets for him. We went to wal-mart and bought him a full face motorcycle helmet. This has proved a god send in him being able to ride his bike more and mom not freaking out as bad. It is very hard to not worry. We came up with the helmet after 2 different time of him falling ( face first ) when having a seizure. But bikes are his one true passion. He has a special talent with them. It is very hard to not worry. I also find it hard for me to leave him with anyone other than family and then I am very selective about that. I think that as many ideas that you can come up with to make activities not as limited the more you may see improvment in his behavior. The older they get the more aware they become of the restrictions. The helmet along with other things like if you let the older siblings walk to school but not him maybe you could pick one day a week to walk with him to school or drop him one block away still in sight of a crossing guard to be able to walk that little bit helps with my son. sorry so long but I can so relate to what you are saying. I to have no one here in South Carolina that I can talk to . This site has been very helpful. Mom of Jeremy

RE: 6 year old son w/epilepsy & behavior problems

Submitted by jmmjmm1 on Sun, 2005-05-22 - 11:15

Be sure to recognize that he is a kid first... and that he has epilepsy second.  And also, the behavioral changes you speak of could not only could result from medication, but they could actually be a form of seizure, perhaps the absence type, for example, or another type, the type with auras.  And send him to a summer camp if you are having trouble letting him do some KIDDY activities.  It will definitly give you all a break from one another and there are those who are designed for kids with special needs-- I work for one in LA for kids with E and there is a Camp Roundup section in Epilepsy USA, also a section about all the camps in the US on epilepsyfoundation.org online.  Check it out and good luck!  All will work out, just gotta grow with him. 

 

Take care!  Jamie

Be sure to recognize that he is a kid first... and that he has epilepsy second.  And also, the behavioral changes you speak of could not only could result from medication, but they could actually be a form of seizure, perhaps the absence type, for example, or another type, the type with auras.  And send him to a summer camp if you are having trouble letting him do some KIDDY activities.  It will definitly give you all a break from one another and there are those who are designed for kids with special needs-- I work for one in LA for kids with E and there is a Camp Roundup section in Epilepsy USA, also a section about all the camps in the US on epilepsyfoundation.org online.  Check it out and good luck!  All will work out, just gotta grow with him. 

 

Take care!  Jamie

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