would an abrupt change of personality in 9yr old dd have any connection with epilepsy?? help!

[cariboo]

dd was diagnosed with nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy last year. She's been on tegretol since but started to have more seizures in the past 6 weeks. Not many but different - much more agitated, moving around, trying to get out of bed. Then, very suddenly, about 3 weeks ago, her personality changed - temper tantrums, verbal & even physical abuse (mostly towards me), throwing things, arguing with friends - and although she's sorry when the tantrum passes, asking for cuddles, reassurance, her behavior seems to be getting worse.

Is this due to the tegretol, the epilepsy or hormones (at 9?) or maybe she's developing some kind of mental disorder? Please advise!

you have me on fb message me an I can chat on there(can't on here as it is too personal)

ok, coming!

have answered, hopefully people will advise you on here as well.

bumping for you

Just replying re Tegretol - we took my dd1 off it as it had a bad reaction..... She became very unsettled whilst on it. But it was obvious much quicker, ie a few months, and I see that you say your dd has been on it since last year.

I shall be watching this...my ds has just been put on Tegretol, and is slowing being weaned off the Epilim.

When we increased the dose of Epilim a while back, his temper was awful, and he was very aggressive, never smiley and pleasant, as is his usual personality. We put the dose straight back down again.

His behaviour/personality change did happen straight after increasing his dose however, so I'm not sure your dd personality change can be attributed to the medicine.

I do hear that boys (and I guess girls too) do become more aggressive and sulky generally about the age of 9, so could be that? Or am I making that up!

Thanks all. Yes, dh & I will start seeing a therapist in 2 weeks. He's been complaining about all the medical bills & I can't say I blame him now that 3 out 4 of us are in psychotherapy (I'm just once a month now to make sure my meds are okay). I reminded him that he & I have always had a "tempestuous" relationship & that the additional stress of 2 children, both with chronic health problems and his recent redundancy is not making our marriage any easier! Maybe by treating the marriage, our dc and our family as a whole will be in better health. Not maybe, actually - I firmly believe that a healthy mind equals a healthy body & vice-versa.