My wife and I always wondered about the effect the drugs were having on our son Adam. We asked the doctors, but 15 years ago they were steadfast in their position that "the medications do not affect behaviour".
At the time Adam was extremely angry and agressive, so much so that he put his Grade 7 teacher in the hospital by way of an ambulance.
Has anyone else seen behaviour changes in your children that you feel are related to the epilepsy medications?
James
Changes in Children's Behavior
Hi James!
We share something in common... children named Adam. Arlene (the site's publisher - featured in the upper right hand corner) also has a son named Adam (also in the picture). It's a special name!
When Adam was placed on the first medication to treat his seizures, he had a lot of side effects - horrible tremors, dry mouth, unable to sleep and a feeling of constant nausea. Needless to say, he was miserable at first and very young. So his behavior was that of grumpiness and combativeness. When we went back to see about switching the meds, the doctor told us the same thing... that it wasn't the medication, but the side effects from the medication causing Adam's behaviorial issues. His extreme lack of sleep, was causing the irritability. So they switched him to Depakote and within a week or so, he seemed back to his old self. Regardless of how it was explained, the first meds produced side effects which caused changes in his behavior. I blame the meds.
Does your Adam have a difficult time sleeping or feel restless throughout the day? What medication is he taking if you don't mind me asking?
Crystal
Changes in Mood and Behaviour
It makes sense to me that epileptic medications could cause changes in behaviours.
Since the beginning of time people have been taking drugs to change their mood and state of consciousness. Ask the Beattles. Ask someone on anti-depressants.
It's really a no-brainer.
It's becoming more well known and admitted that many who lash out even to the point of murdering their entire family are usually on some form of medication for depression. How many times have we heard that you never would have expected John Doe to be capable of such a grizzly act.
It's typically the medications.
Melissa
I agree
I agree tha meds do have side effects. For some they may be minor but for my daughter they are big time. Behavioural issues and mood switches, lateley she is angry, emotional, uncopperative and very tired. It is causing problems at school and with her friends. And at home I get the tail end of it and it is not pretty. She takes respiridone to help control her moods, it has helped but she needs an adjustment because she is going down hill. I f only there were no side effects it would be easier. These kids need to live a normal life, they don't need the side effects.
Medications
Since everyone's neurochemistry is different, different medications affect each person in different ways. It is interesting to get a baseline of your child's natural behaviors. This is why I stress so much to parents to please try diet and take away all supplements. Then, you can add medication as a last resort. Sometimes, it takes both diet and medication to control seizures. It's sad that some people have to go through so much just to help their children.
medications and diet
Our previous neurologyst told us that if this med that she is on dosn't work tha we should try the ketogenic diet. My enormous fear is that my child who is very young will not understand the drastic change in what, when and how much she is allowed to eat. Plus all her favorites that she won't be allowed to have. How to cope with that, I don't know!? Plus she is in school, how do you go about that? She will be seeing all her classmates eating what she can't have. She is already having behavioural issues, how will she react to a change in diet? This is a hard decision.
Medications changing behaviour
My son Mikey has been on a number of medications almost all of his life. When the doctor added Lamictal, his behaviours changed to not paying attention, screaming no etc...hyper...not sleeping well etc..
We added Risperdal and that seemed to help, but now we have added Felbatol and although the seizures are better, he is not eating and getting very little sleep. I read where the Risperdal and Felbatol don't get along, as well as the Topamax being a problem. I hate having to worry about side effects.
On another note, when I went to the Risperdal website, I noticed that it contains aspartame (a known neuro excititory) one that sends Mikey to the hospital with uncontrolled seizure activity.
I have just started B6 and am weaning the Risperdal in the hopes that I get things back under control without the drug interactions. I can't believe that we as parents have to be the ones that figure these things out. The Neuro is talking about giving Mikey IVIgg (intervenous immunoglobulins) apparently they are working in the few cases that are receiving them. I have heard they work in about 30% of epilepsy patients.
I would remove the Felbatol, but the seizure control is wonderful, if I can stand the behaviours. It can be difficult.
Just food for thought. Phyllis