My 12 year old nephew has been taking a very high dose of Depakote for about a year and a half to control seizures. He has had some mood changes that we have brought up to his doctor several times and have been dismissed. Recently I have noticed that his response time is delayed. If he spills something it takes him a minute to react that he is even spilling. But what really concerns me is that another boy picked a fight with him and he didn't react. The other boy hit him in the face four times before he even put his hands up to protect himself. Normally this is a natural instinct you don't even have to think about but he had to take the time to process the situation before he even put his hands up to protect his face. Has anyone else seen this kind of slow response time before? and should I worry that this might be adversely affecting his brain?

My 12 year old nephew has been taking a very high dose of Depakote for about a year and a half to control seizures. He has had some mood changes that we have brought up to his doctor several times and have been dismissed. Recently I have noticed that his response time is delayed. If he spills something it takes him a minute to react that he is even spilling. But what really concerns me is that another boy picked a fight with him and he didn't react. The other boy hit him in the face four times before he even put his hands up to protect himself. Normally this is a natural instinct you don't even have to think about but he had to take the time to process the situation before he even put his hands up to protect his face. Has anyone else seen this kind of slow response time before? and should I worry that this might be adversely affecting his brain?



I did see a slower response to some things with my son when he was on Depakote. Nothing like the boy hitting him though. Sam got really angry easily on it and would get overly upset.

I think one of the side effects is slowed thinking. You might want to check this with the doctor or pharmacy.

When I had my first seizure they put me on Depokote, I had a bad reaction to it. My moods would swing constantly and when I went into my second seizure I couldn't move afterwards. My third seizure same thing happened only alittle worse. I spent eight hours in the ER not able to move from the neck down. No doctor could explain this, I came out of it okay, but no answers. I have had hundreds of seizures since then and nothing like that has ever happened since!! I can't say for sure it was the med, but I haven't taken it since my third seizure and have never had another experience anywhere close to that.... Everyone reacts differently to these meds, this was my way, some do wonderful on it!

If you are not happy with his doc, find another who WILL listen! It definiately sounds as though something is not right if he didn't protect himself. It took me two years to find an awesome neuro who I am comfortable with, who believes me, and who listens when I need to talk. I can call and leave messages and his nurse will call back with an answer. Thats the type of doctor that we need!! Its hard living with E, even harder when you know you don't have a good trusting doctor that you can call!!

Lisa