My daughter was diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy when she was 7 years old in 5/2004. We put her on meds two years later as she was have more frequent seizures. We started with Keppra, but that didn't work that well, so we ended up on depakote. From that point (3rd grade) until today, entering 6th grade, she has changed.
She has severe social issues, inattention, weight gain, incoordination, hand tremors and nervousness. Yes, the Depakote did control the seizures, we have had some breakthrough seizures. We had her tested for ADD and was confirmed having ADD.
The past two weeks have been hell trying two different meds, Concerta and Adderall. Neither worked and gave her horrific side effects. She is now 11 and entering the sixth grade. I am again, looking at Depakote to see if the "ADD like symptoms", could be caused by Depakote. Does anyone have any information, suggestions, similar stories?
I don't know anything specific about Depakote, but...
... it wouldn't surprise me in the least to find that ADD was one of the side effects. Particularly if you can date the changes in your daughter's personality to starting the medication.
I wouldn't be surprised at any side effects that come from any of the anti-epileptic medications, frankly. And using MORE medications to counteract the side effects of one drug can be the start of a snowball effect, I think.
Depakote
My son was on D briefly, but he became much more irritable and I pushed to have him changed to another drug (now on Tegretol). His doctor said that the irritability couldn't be related to the D, because it's often prescribed as a 'mood stablizer' for people who are manic-depressive.
Baloney.
I know what he experienced. He didn't have any ADD-like effects, but he became aggressive and would fly off the handle over nothing. That's really out of keeping with his personality.
I firmly believe that every child responds to these drugs in a different way. If you think that the ADD is related to the D, my feeling is that it might very well be worth trying another drug to see if the symptoms get better. Tegretol isn't perfect, but, for us, it's better than D.
Depakote
This med made my daughter change drastically as well. She was initially put on Depakote for seizures...it turned her into a child I didn't recognise. Her behaviour was horrible, mood swings, and definitely aggressive. She has since been placed on Trileptal. I'm sure there are some that will tell you Depakote is working just fine, but just like any medication: it depends on the individual. Since you're seeing this much of a change, IMHO I would be having a serious discussion with the doctor.
I know this is a little late
I was just going to say that even if the depakote is controlling seizures somewhat, that diet could be triggering the ADD symptoms in your child. Many children have inattention problems which are directly related to their intake of preservatives, carbohydrates, and food colorings. I know a child with Tourettes syndrome who has severe ADHD, and food always triggers the symptoms. Just about every child I have ever seen with ADHD, modifying diet has cleared up their problems and calmed them WAY down so they could focus on whatever task was given to them.
I know it is a big step, but diet could be the key for your child as well. Look into it. Medications are simply almost never the answer. They may help with one problem, but they have side effects and other problems that usually covary with seizures cannot be treated with medications.
Try the SCD diet, the modified Atkins diet, or the ketogenic diet. Try it for a week and see what happens. What have you got to lose?