zoloft

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2008
zoloft
12
Fri, 04-25-2008 - 10:12pm

ok so the new ped. working with Rylee would like to start her on Zoloft. stating until we get her anxiety in check shes just unclear of wether shes on the spectrum


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
In reply to: hodgemomma
Fri, 04-25-2008 - 11:00pm

Hi Amy,

My first question is is this ped a developmental ped, or at the very least a ped with a lot of experience with spectrum kids, or other kids needing psychiatric drugs?

Secondly I would like to share with my my experience with zoloft and a 12 year old I taught when I lived in MD. For many years she had reflux issues and then anxiety issues along with little things like hand writing and definite LD's. At age 11 she needed to be hospitalised where she was weaned off certain meds and given another (zoloft); she came to school and seemed great for a day (a friday)-by Sat pm she was dead as she had hung herself in her bedroom).

I was very close to her and her family and even though Liam is on certain drugs and has need other prescribed drugs in the past dh and I are very careful around anti-anxiety/depressants. In fact even his current pdoc is.

Zoloft has a black box warning for a reason. Honestly, trying to take away a possible dx with a trial drug regement is professionally irresponsible, at the best, especially with the recent research on zoloft and children.

I would look another route; ie: your gut has been good thus far...keep following it!

Dee (((hugs)))

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2004
In reply to: hodgemomma
Fri, 04-25-2008 - 11:45pm

I agree with Dee. Our experience with meds for Lily has left me a bit worried about how well children (especially those on the spectrum) are able to metabolize certain medications. Lily was put on neurontin a few years ago due to her having a neuropathy. She was not verbal at the time and was wringing her hands and rubbing her feet together. She cried a lot and the pain specialist thought maybe neurontin would help her feel better. Well, it was a total nightmare. The doc started her on a very, very low dose in order to work our way slowly to the proper dose. We noticed within just a day or two that the med was exacerbating a lot of her autism symptoms. She used to pinch herself when she was having a meltdown, but didn't break her skin or anything. Well, on the neurontin, she was clawing behind her ears and pinching her chest so badly that she was making herself bleed. We stopped the med and she went back to her original self. Now, I'm not saying that all meds are wrong or anything. In fact, I have a friend whose children have to take meds and it has made all the positive difference in the world. I would just worry that a three yr old would not be able to tell you how the medicine was making her feel. I myself took an antidepressant after Lily was born due to her having health problems that were difficult for me to cope with. I noticed that instead of being upset about her health, I just didn't care. It was like I was holding someone else's baby. It did get me through a difficult time, but I really decided that I didn't like feeling that way. I think you should listen to your heart and make sure that medication is the route you want to take. Maybe it would be great for your daughter, but I would research it really well before you agree to try it.

Amy~Natalie & Lily's mom

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2004
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sat, 04-26-2008 - 2:42am
My son's ped would not prescribe anything for my son for his Asperger's, because he knew it wasn't his field of expertise, even though DS's therapist recommended Zoloft.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sat, 04-26-2008 - 12:03pm

Hi Amy,

We have had Malcolm on Zoloft for over 2 years and we have seen some great results, but he didn't start Zoloft until he was almost 8 years old. Until then, we controlled his anxiety with circumstances (appropriate school settings ie. small therapeutic classrooms), lots of therapies esp. OT, diet intervention, and keeping his challenges within reach.

On Zoloft, we have mostly seen that his brain just puts together the big picture better so he can learn coping techniques and think through situations more. He has learned so much in the last few years. He still gets anxious, however, the Zoloft is hardly a magic pill. We also can say that the periods of going on the drug was the hardest and we are happy that he is stabilized, happy and well now. Now that we are homeschooing, we think about taking him off, as he is not in so many anxiety-provoking situations these days, but we also are wary of the weaning process and still consider the benefits we see worth continuing ... so far.

I myself would think carefully about trying Zoloft in a child so young without first exhausting all other avenues. Every child and situation is different, however, so I can't speak to yours. We are happy with our psychiatrist, who is a specialist in ASDs (as well as way cute!!!)

Good luck with your decision, these are the hard ones to sort out.

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sat, 04-26-2008 - 2:10pm

Zoloft was the first med we tried for youngest daughter's anxiety issues.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2008
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sat, 04-26-2008 - 2:28pm

thankyou so much Amy, and to all the other ladies who responded!


this has definitly left me stomach in knots.


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2006
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 2:08pm

hello,


i'm chiming in late here. my son was difficult for yrs. i took him to drs and therapists who blamed the messy divorce of his parents and being raised by a single mother. i felt the divorce forced me to be the best parent i could be. anyways

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2008
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 4:34pm

thankyou so much for sharing your story with me!!


i have made the decision to hold off, i would probbaly try if she were older..



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 10:18pm

Amy, here's a wild thought,

Anxiety and depression are often connected neurologically as well as physiologically. There has been some very compelling research into omega 3 fatty acids and treatment of depression. Have you considered an omega 3 supplement for wee Rylee?

Nordic Naturals do a liquid children's form (GNC carry it). Normally you need a high level of EPA compared to DHA (two of the three types of omega 3 found in the supplement), but you could always start with the kiddie dose and see if it helps. The beauty of omega 3 is it is like vitamin c; what the body doesn't absorb it excretes. If you think she needs a higher amount of EPA Nordic Naturals also make a liquid form of that.

http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/General_Public/Product_Line/66/

This avoids the prescribed drug route and gives you a safer alternative for now. I found it took a couple of weeks to see a positive affect with Liam. We have him on the high EPA version; luckily he will take big pills for us.

just a thought,

Dee

Spring sig 2008



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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2008
In reply to: hodgemomma
Sun, 04-27-2008 - 11:08pm

Dee, u are awesome thanks for the great idea!! i will definitly have to geton that and see what that could do for her!!


(now any suggestions for a grumpy annoying husband?? hahaha)



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