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 - 17:21
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

I went through a divorce from

Submitted by Crelo on Sat, 2020-03-28 - 17:08
I went through a divorce from a wife who had rated psychological issues from childhood to adult. My issues were as a child hyperactivity and Grandmal till mid teens in which I supposed was cured. Now after being away from my children. I am finding out my Son Brandon Finch has seizures. I was deliberately kept  from knowing about Seizures.  I questioned him being put on Ritalin around 5-6 year old by mother Esther. The Court Representatives in Fresno Calif told me - I had no case to worry just give him meds against Physicians Desk Reference that his Firebaugh elementary school, His mother, and some unknown doctor prescribed (not his pediatrician)  I suspect “Ritalin” I DO CARE even if I am estranged from my children because of The Court not listening and a Mother who committed liable to get a divorce again I Suspect RITALIN 

Re: son with epilepsy after taking medication ritalin

Submitted by Here4Answers on Wed, 2013-07-24 - 11:48
First off I know this thread is old but does anyone still read it? I am 25 Y.O. and ive been having temporal lobe seizures since i was 10 and this was a year after being put on ritalin. ive stopped taking ritalin since i was 16 but from about 12-16 i was taking 20mg 3 times a day. which honestly helped allot with school but if ritalin has anything to do with my seizures i would be very upset because i still have them today at the age of 25 and one of the medications i am on is a new one called vimpat which seems to do the best out of the many ive tried over the years. except without insurance this vimpat is $1,800/month no lie. with insurance i am paying $110. I just wanted to add my thoughts to this thread as i have no family history of having seizures until myself after a year of ritalin.

Re: son with epilepsy after taking medication ritalin

Submitted by jtwardmo on Thu, 2009-06-04 - 16:04

After my first seizure (age 9) and an EEG test showing I would continue having temporal lobe seizures, Ritalin was prescribed (with Dilantin and Meberal).  When I converted to adult epilepsy at age 16 and Meberal was replaced with Mysoline, I began to read about these medications and then spoke to my new neurologist (the first one approaching retirement).  "Dr. Sanders, I read that I am using both a stimulant and a barbituate.  One speeds me up, one slows me down.  I don't understand that.  I don't know medicine like you, but I do know that 2 plus a negative 2 equals zero.  Could you explain that?"  After asking the question three times, Dr. Sanders (unable to explain that?) simply said "Stop using Ritalin."  And I did.

I expect that Ritalin is helpful to a few people, I would suggest to parents to ask "How is Ritalin going to help my child?" or "... Could you explain that?" and, unless convinced with some evidence that it is appropriate, stay away from it.      

After my first seizure (age 9) and an EEG test showing I would continue having temporal lobe seizures, Ritalin was prescribed (with Dilantin and Meberal).  When I converted to adult epilepsy at age 16 and Meberal was replaced with Mysoline, I began to read about these medications and then spoke to my new neurologist (the first one approaching retirement).  "Dr. Sanders, I read that I am using both a stimulant and a barbituate.  One speeds me up, one slows me down.  I don't understand that.  I don't know medicine like you, but I do know that 2 plus a negative 2 equals zero.  Could you explain that?"  After asking the question three times, Dr. Sanders (unable to explain that?) simply said "Stop using Ritalin."  And I did.

I expect that Ritalin is helpful to a few people, I would suggest to parents to ask "How is Ritalin going to help my child?" or "... Could you explain that?" and, unless convinced with some evidence that it is appropriate, stay away from it.      

Sign Up for Emails

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