depakote

My daughter was diagnosed w/ partial seizures a couple of years ago and on depakote.  Since she has been on this medicine she is unable to concentrate, and is aggitated and aggresively angry sometimes.  They tell me it is not the medication and i think they are full of **** excuse my langauge.  But I am frustrated not doing well in school, and has been seizure free for almost 2 years.  As a parent do i have the right to take her off this medicine, and take a chance of her having another seizure.  They want to run another eeg on her I am thinking last one and then taking her off weather they approve or not.  Help should i do this for the benefit of her.  I just looking for someone to tell me that she will be okay!! Thanks stressed out


This discussion is related to Behavior and Epilepsy.

[supermomma531]

Depakote was the first med that my son was ever on and he had the same behaviors. You do have the right to take her off of any medication but at the same time, you have to think about what is best for her. Have you tried other meds? Depending on the child, there are many different other types of meds that aren't so bad with the side effects. Now I've been told by my sons peds neuro that depakote also known as valproic acid works really well with other medications. You can insist that they take her off of this med and try something else. There are even a few different diets that can help control specific types of seizures. You can also try a herbal type of way if you find the right homeopathic doctor (this is what I think they are called) and go this way. Some people do try to go without anything but I would think that maybe they have to try a diet of sorts to try to help control their seizures. I would let them do all of the testing they want to do and find out the results of them and then if need be, get a second or third opinions of different pediatric neurologists. You really have to do your research before making any type of decisions. I hope that this info helps you out. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Good luck.