Here we go AGAIN....

[mlbandura]

Just got back from Lukes neurologist appointment! The doctor has decided that with Lukes attitude change since he started Keppra and the fact that he is still having simple partials (during the day) and generalized (at night) seizures we are going to put him on Depakote and ween him off of the Keppra. There are also other issues he thinks the Keppra could be attributing too. The only way to find out is to get him off of it. We are also going to start the GARD diet and see if that will help (can't hurt). He is referring us to the NF Clinic just to rule out NF1 completely (hopefully). The NF has been a concern for Luke for the last few years so actually seeing a NF specialist who can give a definitive answer will be great. If the Depakote does not work then it's back to the hospital for another EEG, MRI, Blood work.. ect!

Are there any parents on here whose children have been or are on Depakote? Any horrible side effects to watch out for? He did say they will be checking his liver and platelets twice a year. He also said weight gain is an issue but that usually only presents during adolescence. Off to google to check this new medicine out.

 

[Endless]

Here's the package insert for Depakote:

http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/dep3.pdf

It mentions pediatric side effects. I'd cut and paste here but it's in PDF format. Go to the package insert and use the find function in the top middle of the page. Find "pediatric"

You can also go to www.askapatient.com, but it's hard to find the pediatric effects only. That site is also not scientific. Often patients are on other meds as well, and they list side effects that may or may not be the depakote, or may be an interaction of the depakote with a drug that Luke isn't taking. Still a great site, though.

 

[tase37]

Hope the med will work for him..keppra never worked for our baby..keeping fingers crossed!

 

[mlbandura]

I know it is to early yet to tell if the Depakote will work for seizure control but WOW what a difference it has made in his behavior and personality. I guess I just never realized how "bad" it had actually gotten. My sweet loving little man is back! He has been so upbeat and happy these last two days. When I asked him yesterday morning how he felt (checking for side effects - headache stomach ache) His reply was a big happy "GOOD!" and then he continued with "I don't have to be bad anymore" I asked him what he meant by this and he said "before I had to be bad I didn't want to be but I just felt like I had to be bad mommy" needless to say that broke my heart. I got used to what Keppra did to him for the sake of his seizures and know I feel awful for it. I am just glad to be getting back on the right track!

 

[Endless]

Wow! What amazing news! I'm so happy for both you and Luke.

And isn't he an amazing little man to have that kind of self-knowlege at his age. He is a very clear thinker.

 

[hootie]

My son has been on Depakote for a little over a year. It has helped somewhat with the seizure control (absence seizures)...at least on paper. I am seeing less absence seizures, but when I do see them they are longer than they were before.

As far as weight gain..he began eating like crazy when he started Depakote. He would yell for more food. If I gave him what he wanted, he would eventually eat so much that he would throw up. He gained about 30 pounds in the last year. Now, I limit his food and his weight gain has slowed to a normal pace.

You are so blessed that your son can tell you what he is thinking/feeling in this whole process! Glad to hear that he is feeling better and that he does not need to be bad anymore.:woot:

 

[tase37]

so happy to hear he is feeling better and happier