son with epilepsy after taking medication ritalin

Hi Everyone. I'd like to share with you the impact that ritalin has had on my life. I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 11, (I am 34 years old) and took ritalin until I was in college. I trusted my parents, teachers, and doctors, and believed what they said about my need for the drug. In college, I realized I didn't need the ritalin anymore. In fact, I don't think I EVER needed it. Being on ritalin is like being on speed. It made me feel as though I had ingested 12 cups of coffee and sometimes my body would shake with all the adrenaline. Two years ago, although I have been off ritalin for about 13 years, I had my first seizures and was told that I have epilepsy. I am sure that ritalin played a role in this. Ritalin is extremely dangerous, and I think that as parents we need to be very discerning, and careful about not letting doctors prey on our fear, and intimidate us into drugging our children. Children are SUPPOSED to be hyperactive. They are full of life and energy, especially compared to the depressed and sedate adults that attempt to school them. If a child is not able to "focus" on what is going on in the classroom, it is not the child's fault. In my case, I was a sensitive and anxious child who needed to learn in a different format. I was just trying to survive from day to day, and that is why I missed most of what was going on in grade school. It had nothing to do with a learning disability. If a child really is "hyperactive," more so than normal child-like behavior, I've heard that diet plays a significant role. I hope that this helps anyone looking for validation for their doubts about ritalin. Love and peace, Julie

well i understand everything your going through,my son was started on ritalin also and wasn't on it a month before his seizures started.he also has been in speech class since kindergarden.i know in my heart that the ritalin has caused this but i will never find a doctor that will agree,they all stick together if you know what i mean.it's just funny that my son never had any problems until starting it.now they say he has epilepsy.they put him on depakene and its not working they keep increasing the dose and all its doing is making him have more seizures and more often,i am in the process of trying to get them to do something else.i am now thinking about getting him homebound for the rest of this year since they are happening so often like at school and on the school bus.like you,his first and second seizure happened when he had just woke up going to go hunting around 5 am then they went to 5pm,then he had a couple at night around 10pm,now they are happening at school around 2pm and on school bus,which was yesterday and this morning had another one waiting on the bus.so they use to be like on a schedule now they are happening different times all the time,and they are always different.he has had them with convulsions,vomiting,and just like starts out staring sometimes.i am so angry and concerned because i am hearing the more he has the more of a chance to do damage.i am sorry this is so long,i just have alot to say.as far as the ritalin i stopped it when he had his first seizure.i am going to the doctor tommorow to find out more.if you have any more questions or concerns feel free to write or email me at sweetabner@aol.com we will keep each other informed and up to date.i am so sorry that you and your son are going through this,it's just awful.