My son just started taking Phenobarbital 1 week ago for seizures. He takes it at night right before he goes to bed. The side effects says he should be drowsy. However he has been sleeping bad and more irritated at night. We met with the neuro and he ordered a blood test to make sure he is getting the accurate dosage. Waiting to hear back about the results. Anyone else had these side effects? He has also been not as coordinated right after taking the medicine, but during the day he is happy, energetic and normal functions.
I dont have personal experience but I do know it can take up to 2 wks for someone to adjust to phenobarb (I assume your dr has told you this). So initial side effects may stop after the correct dose and some time.
Have you had your son evaluated by a chiropractor. There is a lot of trauma that can occur during the birth process. If the neck gets misaligned it could contribute to seizures. I had a 21 y/o with 13 seizures a day and we eliminated them completely. Find a chiropractor in your area who treats babies. It will be worth the evaluation.
When a couple of my children were little-things that should have made them drowsy-Robitussin, Benadryl, etc-made them jittery-even the tiniest dose mad one of my children hallucinate-maybe there's something else-God bless you and your little son-xoxo!
I took phenobarbitol as a toddler, also for seizures. Mom said it was a really tough time - I was super-crabby and also un-coordinated (she assumed this was due to being droswy). It only lasted as long as I took the medication (about 4 months).
My youngest was on it for a little while after he had a fall that caused a concussion. I hated it because it was like he was drunk. He was on it for about a month. If your son has to continue to take it, his body will get used to it after a week or so and you'll see those "drunken" symptoms alleviate eventually.
My oldest was maniacal on phenobarbitol. I was so scared of all the new seizure drugs that I wanted one that had been around long enough so we could avoid LONG term side effects. The short term ones were hell!
Fortunately my little one outgrew her seizures, as did I, and we were able to get rid of the drugs. There is no medical support for what I did but I swear I knew when a seizure was coming on. I started medicating her when I felt it....she usually did have a seizure but it would be mild. The new drugs then have been around for 20 years now so you may have some options that I didn't.
My daughter's seizures were febrile. Now I know that if you can boost the immune system, you can avoid the illnesses so you can avoid those types of seizures. I wish I knew that 17 years ago....
God bless,
M.
