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

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121. Lana, would you rather be fat and have parkinsons like symptoms or be dead from grand mal? One must pick their battles.

Posted at 3:29PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Anteah

122. It's not uncommon for anti-convulsants to become less effective during puberty. Children who have been seizure-free may start having seizures again, and they may be difficult to control. Blood levels need to be taken and dosages changed often. If the Depakote had been increased too much for the child to tolerate, the child could become very ill. Also, Depakote can cause liver problems.

I've had two children in my family with seizure disorders, so I understand that there are no easy fixes. Depakote is usually the best-tolerated anti-convulsant. Barbiturates can be used at the time of a seizure (it's not a preventive measure). My guess is that they explored various options and chose close monitoring over meds. It seems to me that they made a decision that they thought best for their son.

Posted at 3:42PM on Jan 4th 2009 by wje

123. I feel very sorry for the Travolta's as I'm sure they loved their son. As the mother of a 4 year old autistic boy and special ed teacher it does appear that Jett was autistic based on his lack of speech, seizures, and other pics that I saw with him toe walking and earphones on to possibly help with sensory overload. However, we do not know them personally so we can't judge them or make accusations. I have seen kids wit autism on Depakote to help with seizures and let me tell you it is kind of scary because these kids became physically aggressive which could be another reason they took him off of it. Jett was a big kid and probably hard to control if he became physically aggressive. Not all seizure meds work either and when my mom was on them because of a brain aneurysm and stroke, the meds would usually not work after awhile and you would have to switch which is not always easy either. In any case,let's hope they did everything they could to help him with his disabilities because as a parent I don't care what any "religion" says you need to put your children first. My sympathy and condolences go out to them during this extremely difficult time.

Posted at 3:31PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Linda

124. My Mom has stage 4 cancer and how we found it was because she started having "silent seizures" 10-20 times a day. As soon as she was put on Depakote they were stopped dead in their tracks. I hope if Jett was taken off this medication it was replaced with the next best thing and he wasn't just left with nothing. I feel so bad for this family.

Posted at 3:31PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Angie

125. Depakote is one of the older anticonvulsants on the market. It has recently been cited in science journals as contributing to autism in many cases. This is a terrible drug. He probably has a seizure he would have had whether on meds or not. The cause of death will most likely be the fatal blow to the head. MAy he reset in peace. I cannot believe the disgusting behavior of the media regarding this poor child's death. The family must be going through a living hell right now. They should not have to deal with unfounded allegations as well. Lisa

Posted at 5:02PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Lisa

126. It is very sad, but when I look at his son, he looks JUST like my 16 year old son with Severe Autism. Although they have not said that their son has this diagnosis, it is amazing to see the similarities: The size of his head, the dark-sunken eyes, the body posture, etc. It is very common for these individuals to have seisures during and around puberty. I pray for strength for the family because there WILL be lots of controversy about this event.

Posted at 3:42PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Hmark

127. For Pete's sake, people:

1. John Travolta is never going to read these comments, so stop addressing them to him and/or is family.
2. None of us know the real details about Jett's treatments, his diagnosis, or his last moments so stop analyzing them.
3. BE NICE THE MAN JUST LOST HIS SON AND CRITICIZING HIM IS JUST WRONG. EVEN IF HE DOESN'T KNOW IT.

Posted at 7:13PM on Jan 6th 2009 by Goodmom42

128. What Would L. Ron Do?

Posted at 3:39PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Stevo

129. Did so many people read only part of the article? Do you think that the Travolta's cannot afford the best doctors? Did you not read 'the drug lost it's effectiveness and could cause possible physical damage'. My son has seizures as well and our neurologist told us that the only drug that could help him could cause possible PERMANENT unrepairable damage to his liver and/or pancreas. As a parent of special needs children you have to make a choices that are the best for your child at the time. Drugs are chemicals remember? If the drug stopped working and could cause physical long term damage than why is so many of you judging the Travolta's for their decision. Leave them alone. Their child died unexpectantly and no parent deserves to be judged at a time like this....

Posted at 3:44PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Diana

130. Bad deal no matter what religion they are.

Posted at 3:48PM on Jan 4th 2009 by shawn

131. LRH would say, bring plenty of food over to the family. If Kirstie shows up she's going to do some serious grazing. Oh, and don't forget your checkbooks.

Posted at 3:46PM on Jan 4th 2009 by rotflmao!

132. Jett is dead because of his parents and their cult. Period. Just look at the damage control the cult is trying to do regarding all the press releases and comments by his lawyers. How strange that his lawyers are the ones releasing statements to the press.

The press is being manipulated by this cult. Jett should not have had to die to expose and bring this organization under control. Enough with all the deaths. Scientology kills!

Freedom of the press will not be silenced!

Posted at 3:48PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Scientology Kills

133. Look at all the clams on this site trying to defend Jett's death. He died from neglect and his parents should be held accountable.

This is going to be the final nail in the coffin for this cult. Just watch.

Will this bring David Miscaviage out of hiding?

Posted at 3:50PM on Jan 4th 2009 by Stop the CULT

134.
My sincerest sympathies to John, Kelly and Ella for their extreme loss!!!

Posted at 3:53PM on Jan 4th 2009 by melissa b

135. David and TommyBoy are probably going to be in charge of the funeral.

Posted at 3:55PM on Jan 4th 2009 by welcome back

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