Celebrity Justice
John Travolta's Son: Meds Ultimately Didn't Work

TMZ has learned more about the medical condition of John Travolta's son, Jett, and the medication that ultimately didn't work.

We're now told the grand mal seizures Jett suffered were "frequent and extremely serious." Travolta's lawyers, Michael Ossi and Michael McDermott, tell us "each seizure was like a death," with Jett losing consciousness and convulsing.

We now know Jett was taking a drug called Depakote, a strong anti-seizure medication. There have been reports Travolta refused to give his son anti-seizure meds because of Scientology but those stories are not true.

Jett had been having seizures on an average of every four days, until he started taking Depakote. Ossi and McDermott say the drug initially worked, reducing the frequency to approximately once every three weeks.

Jett took Depakote for "several years," but it eventually lost its effectiveness, according to Ossi and McDermott. They say the Travoltas were concerned about possible physical damage. And, Jett went back to having around one seizure a week. So Travolta and Preston, after consulting neurosurgeons, stopped administering the drug. No one is suggesting withdrawal of the medicine in any way caused the fatal episode.

Reader Comments

(Page 32 of 32) Previous 15 Comments

466. I am astounded by the absolute ignorance displayed by some of the comments on this posting! My daughter is almost 7 years old, suffered a stroke when she was two years old due to a congenital heart defect. This has led to a very difficult and overwhelming seizure disorder over the past 5 years. Depakote is one of almost a dozen seizure medications that my daughter was put on to attempt to control her life threatening seizures. A med that we put her on as well as took her off at times. With our neurologists advise as to the best treatment for her.

The idea that any of you, nurses, armchair coaches, complete nitwits, have a clue as to what was the best treatment or care for those two parents and their ill child is an arrogance that I do not understand.

Shut your mouth and be quiet if you don't know what your talking about.

And I am not a scientologist, a buddhist, a catholic or a moron... so get over your religious attacks as well.

Good lord, I have such sympathy for Mr. Travolta, Mrs. Preston as well as that dear boy whom suffered from such an exhausting and aggressive condition.

Shame on all of you!


Posted at 2:52AM on Jan 23rd 2009 by Angela Moe

467. Depakote is for bi-polar disorder and possibly occasional seizure but not for treatment of seizures. I do not know any doctor that would have given Depakote for the problem described. It doesn't make sense if his parents are so caring and knowing that they would not try something that is designed to work for his condition.

It is very tragic that they have lost their only son. Most everyone would want to believe they are wonderful parents, etc. They deserve our sympathy. However, something just doesn't add up. People aren't trying to make something of this;the facts are. They have the money and fame to cover this up. Sadly, it won't make any difference now for their son but if the real truth came out perhaps another child's death could be prevented.

Posted at 11:26AM on Feb 1st 2009 by shana stadler

468. I'm so glad you that say Depakote is not for seizures have been to school to become a neurologist. My son too has seizures & JME epilepsy. He is on Depakote & it "is" for seizures. He is doing well on the meds at this time & I pray he continues as no 19 year old or anyone in general should have to go through this condition. You can't imagine how hard it is on a parent to watch your child have a seizure & can not do anything to help. He tried to test his condition until he had a seizure & wrecked his car which he loved dearly. This condition needs to have more attention to the causes & I pray that no one you love ever has to experience it. My heart goes out to the Travolta family as I fear this is what I may have to face one day. I wish there was more I could do to bring more attention to this terrible condition out to the public & help those that are affected by it.

Posted at 6:35AM on Jan 23rd 2009 by Joyce

469. Depakote is for seizures!!! My son has taken it for years. Yes it is for Grand Mal Seizures!!! That's why he took it. Often times medicines are tested for one condition and found useful for others as well. For example, a bi-polar person who has seizures may be taking Depakote. Upon staying on the medicine it can be found that the Depakote stopped or lessened the number of seizures. As this data compiled, it is determined that Depakote may be useful on seizures. Doctors who specialize in their fields know what medicines to use as "off label". This means that the treatment is not written on the label for that drug. This does not mean that it is hokey or anything; it means medical knowledge is progressing.

Good luck to everyone with your hate issues. You're going to have to hate someone else for a while.

Posted at 12:14AM on Jan 26th 2009 by M. P.

470. I thing when somebody have epilepcia and dricks the pill phenytoin . then have the epilesia o someone die the pills kill the boy of travolta.

Posted at 1:11PM on Feb 20th 2009 by Melissa

471. God blees your family and the loss they have endured. You did everything a parent should, but the "higher power" had other plans for your son. I know your family is grieving, but you must go on with life and what it has in store for you. Please remember you all are very much loved.
Debbie
AZ

Posted at 12:01AM on Mar 6th 2009 by Lucy

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