Questions about Concerta, Risperdal
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| Mon, 08-14-2006 - 9:01am |
Hi All.
Nicole, Mom to Dominic (7.5), who has AS, SID and they believe ADHD (although I disagree).
Anyhow, my DS has been on Risperdal for 16 months now. We've increased from .25 to .75 over that time period, and I'm not willing to increase it anymore. He's gained approximately 4 pounds in that time (due to the appetite increaser in the med), and he was petite, so I figured going up .25 per every few pounds was ok.
We recently moved in with my SO and my SD (6), and we prepared him as well as possible for all the changes (and that is everything, new town (an hour away from our old house), new house, new sibling, new schools, ALL new doctors (the psychopharmacologist he had was leaving, already), new car, new custody schedule with his dad, new daycare, a step-father in the house, new drop off arrangements with me, etc.... I'm guessing you all know what I mean!!!).
So, his new doctor, who we've seen 4 or 5 times since the move, now all of a sudden just dropped (and I mean literally) a prescription for Concerta in my lap at our last appointment. There was no prior discussion about it, no time for asking questions. He basically told me, here is the prescription, it is the lowest dose, start him on it next Wednesday, we'll talk about how he's doing at his next appointment.
I'm hesitant to just do this, but I know that others have used it. I am looking for opinions, thoughts, any side effects your children might have had, etc.? Thanks for any thoughts.
Nicole
Mom 2 Dominic (7.5) and Nathan (4)
Bonus-mom to Lauren (6)

I didn't have good luck with concerta but I know others who swear by it and it has been a great thing. Really depends on kid to kid.
Basically it comes down to you and your decision. If you don't feel comfortable giving the med then don't. If you don't understand why the doc perscribed it or don't feel comfortable with why he perscibed it then talk to him about it at the next appt and explain you weren't comfortable starting it yet until you had all the info or for what ever reason you weren't comfortable starting it.
If the doc gives you a hard time about it then it is time for another doctor. It hopefully was just a misunderstanding and he thought you were on the same page, but some doctors are rather domineering and bossy. I am not comfortable with a doctor who doesn't respect my oppinion and input so if that was the case I wouldn't stick with him.
What was the reason the doc perscribed it? Is the current riperadol not doing enough? Are there concerns about DS's attending at school?
With ASD kids the thing to watch for with concerta is increase in anxiety, withdrawal and rigid thinking. Some may increase tics as well if they are predisposed to it. If you decide to start him on concerta, watch for those things. It may take a month or so for it to become a big issue or it may become an issue right away. From what I have heard concerta and risperadol are a good combo typically.
Renee