New to Meds
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| Wed, 06-22-2005 - 5:36pm |
I took Alex for his first appointment with a pediatric psychiatrist yesterday (Alex is 8 and an Aspie). We've been wanting to do this for about 3 years, but haven't, since our insurance couldn't get us into anyone good (isn't that pathetic?!). Fortunately, he's had GREAT services at his school (which we're now leaving due to our move to a new house 1 hour away; another story), but we really needed to get him in to see someone regarding his anxiety and panic attacks which often rule his life.
This woman was awesome! So good with Alex, and seemed to hit the nail on the head with every aspect of his behavior (she's obviously seen lots of "Alex's" before!). As I suspected would happen (and Alex's resource teacher had also mentioned it could possibly help), she suggested medication for his anxiety; Zoloft. Fortunately, it comes in a liquid form that can be diluted in a drink; Alex will NOT swallow pills.
Anyone else's child on medications for anxiety, depression or panic attacks? Since I'm so new to this (except that I, myself, have taken Prozac for about 10 years - geesh, no wonder - it's in the genes!), I'd love to hear other's experiences with meds for their kids. Obviously, putting my child on medication is causing ME lots of anxiety!
Thanks!
Laurie

Laurie,
We are doing SSRI's with our son, Cassian (age 5.5 yrs, PDD-NOS with hyperlexia). SSRI's a becoming a drug of choice for kids on the spectrum. They work on anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and help make some kids more social. Each kid is different, so sometimes you have to try one SSRI and then another, plus experiment with different dosages to see what will work best.
Cassian has been on Lexapro for several mos, and we have noticed improvements in social interaction and a decrease in obsessiveness. When the dosage was high, he had much better social interaction, but he became volatile and aggressive at times and also had some problems with impulsivity. With a lower dosage he gets some benefits of the drug, but no aggression. We are trying Zoloft next to see if we can get the dosage higher and have all the benefits with none of the negative stuff.
My husband has major depressive disorder and has also been on SSRI's for nearly a decade. The developmental pediatrician we see said that it was a good bet that the same drugs would help Cassian. That is why we tried them. I think you are doing the right thing. You cannot lose from trying them with your son. If they don't work, you can always take him off the Zoloft and try another or discontinue medicating altogether. His anxiety sounds like it would make him a great candidate for Zoloft to me, but I'm a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. I think it is fantastic that you found a good psychiatrist for your son too. It is so important for our kids to have rapport with the people who treat them.
Suzi
I do not have any experience with meds for my son, but I certainly hope it helps your son a lot. I took Zoloft for a couple of months when I had trouble with post partum depression and I just thought I would post and warn you of one side effect I had. I had terrible nausea for about 3 days after I started the medication. After the 3rd day it did go away, but it might be good to know that can happen. I know of other women who have taken it with no side effect at all.
Good luck and I hope this helps your son a lot.
Mike was on zoloft once for a short period. While it did help the anxiety, it did cause him to be more hyper. My psychiatrist did warn us that sometimes kids become less inhibited on the medication and get get hyper or more impulsive. If Alex doesn't have a problem with hyperactivity or impulsiveness it may be great. Even if he has hyperactivity and impulsiveness, it still may be good for him.
Also, I have a freind who's dd has been on it for a while with great results. She is OCD. The only negative side effect for her is weight gain. Not overly heavy, but definitely a bit chubby. So that is another thing just to keep an eye out for. It can cause an increase in appetite, but I don't think as much as risperadol, so if you are just careful with snack choices and such he probably would be fine.
Renee
Renee,
Thanks for that input. Just curious, what exactly is Risperadol, and what is it used to treat? I've heard of it, but know nothing about it.
Weight gain is something we probably don't need to be concerned about for Alex - we call him "Mr. Spindle" as it is - LOL!
Thanks again!
Laurie
Laurie
Risperadol is an atypical antipsychotic. It is often used with autism spectrum kids to help with aggression mainly. It can also help with impulsiveness, other kinds of outbursts and I believe anxiety.
I have heard everyone who has used it has loved the results behaviorally for thier AS kids. We haven't used it because of it's 2 main side effects. 1) severe weight gain. It causes the child to feel hungry all the time. On lower doses some of the really skinny kids who don't eat due to sensory issues don't gain the weight, but most kids do. Mike already has issues regarding food though he is slendar. He gets awful behaviorally when he is hungry, so it just wasn't an option and 2) tardive diskonesia. It is a movement disorder that can be painful for the kids that is a side effect of all antipsychotics. Most often if comes after long term use at higher doses, but it has been known to happen for some kids after a short usage or even right away. Sometimes it goes away when the med is stopped. Sometimes it is permanent.
Renee
There is a larger reason than the increase in appetite for the weight gains and the way it was explained to me by some scientist researchers in the field is that there is actually a change in the processing of fat. The same amount of food without extra snacks will cause weight gain. Many of the kids we know on both Zoloft and Risperdal are chubby and they are hungrier more often, yes, but not overeating lots of junky snacks.
I also want to say that in my observation this drug business seems tricky. Some kids we know do very well with it, others not. And changing drugs is not simple, it is hard on the kids getting one drug out of their system and then starting another. One little girl we are close with was on Paxil and was more connected and focused, but her anxiety really got worse and her tantrumming eventually became completely out-of-control and way scary. This 9 year old girl had had her tantrumming under control with behavior work and proper schools for several years. The whole drug thing was hard on her, and this was her 3rd attempt at finding a drug that would help her focus and do better academicaly. Right now she is back to no drugs, less focus and more struggle academically and much more relaxed.
Good luck, and I would love it if you would let us know how this goes. We do not yet have a need to consider drug therapy for Malcolm, but more information is always welcome!
yours,
Sara
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