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.
son with epilepsy after taking medication ritalin
Thu, 01/12/2006 - 17:21Topic: Parents & Caregivers
HI, I'm new to this site and i just had some questions and some concerns.Im going to try to make this short but my son is 6 he will be 7 in a few days.In November we started him on ritalin because of his school teacher saying he was not doing good in school and she told us along with other school staff that he had adhd.We didnt think he did but i didnt know what else to do and didnt want him to fail.the doctor said i could just let it be a school thing and he didnt have to take it at home or on the weekends,etc.so when he got out for christmas break i wasnt giving it to him 3 days before christmas which was thursday he had his first seizure,friday he had 2 which were bad.we were taking him to e.r.after the first and second one then they scheduled us with an neurologist and they done an eeg which they said came back abnormal and they say he has epilepsy.i never started him back on the ritalin and now he is taking a liquid medication called depakene for his epilepsy.since then he has had 1 more seizure while they were trying to get the dose right on his med.i am convinced that the ritalin has caused this since he has always been a healthy boy with no problems and started taking ritalin and was only on it for a month if that and now he has this problem.if you can help me in anyway let me know. i dont know what to do i am very mad and upset.
Comments
Ritalin and Epilepsy
Submitted by netwrm on Tue, 2007-12-11 - 06:40
I read your posts and it is actaully funny how "professionals" or so they call themselves like to intimidate us as the parents, I have PROOF it is Ritalin causing the epilepsy.
Robert now 10 had a scan at 3 yrs old before he ever took Ritalin, the scan was clean, then he had another scan at 7 WITH EPILEPSY after being on Ritalin for 6 months. And yes I too was told Ritalin is not to be blamed, I took him of the Ritalin and after 6 months ALL signs of Epilepsy had dissapeared.
I put him on Ritalin Again at age 9 otherwise he was not allowed to attend school. Again the same nonsense started, I have now finally told them I told you so and that I am wasting my money on this. I have taken him off and after just 3 months I can see the epilepsy going away slowly once again......
People we are killing our poor kids.... teachers should learn to deal with these new age ADHD kids.... they get paid to do their jobs.
Re: Ritalin and Epilepsy
Submitted by dana_gilbert17 on Tue, 2008-01-29 - 07:55
Hello, I to am new to this, but I will tell I you am not new to seizures. I was put on ritalin when I was in high school for fear of failing. I am not sure of the date or year, but I think I stopped taking it when I was probably a junior/early senior. When I was 18, I had a night job at a local hotel, and worked 11-7. I do not remember the drive home. All I know is I came home and went to bed and then a few hours later woke up to go to the bathroom. That's where I collapsed on the floor. I woke up in the hospital. I do not remember any details from the time I got off work that day. There were definately angels with me that day. I am now 28 years old, and have been on carbamezipene and dilantin for 10 years. I do not know for sure, but my husband and I both believe ritalin was a key factor in my seizures. I would love to know for sure myself if our beliefs are right. I am so sorry this is happening to your very young son. You all wil be in my prayers and thoughts.
Re: son with epilepsy after taking medication ritalin
Submitted by tigerdale on Thu, 2006-02-02 - 19:42
hi i am in similiar situation with my son .he is also 7yrs . i am knew @ this and very stressed out.my son has been on ritalin since he was 4 for adhd. 1st seizure on jan4th/06 on an airplane while sleeping. plane went back to calg. & we went to child. hosp.,he was given catscan,showed nothing,was told by e.r.phy.&e.r.neuor.that ritalin was not to be blamed.....2nd seiz 2 wks ago,3rd 5days ago,went to e.m on 3rd as still had no diagnosis,neurologist put him on valproic acid,eeg in 2 wks:but is being treated for epilepsy.have researched at great lengths about ritalin ,spoken to docs & pharmacists ,none see a problem........since i have started researching ep. on internet i am finding that there is alot of hyperactivity in kids assoc. with epilepsy,plus lots of developmental depays,learning disorders etc....which my son has had[speech,etc]my son seizures seem to be forming a pattern as they are happening 1-2 hrs before he wakes up! i find them frightening ,& have not slept thru nite in wks! he is in bed with me ,so i can hear them,but i find myself waiting for them to happen! i am s.a.d....scared,angry depressed,same as you are.....my son was born with a congen.heart defect asd that was reapaired when he was 11mon old,as if he hasn't had enough already!i don't feel really great about the ritalin either........plus we live in canada where tests take forever! please write back & god bless