Short Acting Anti-Anxiety Drug

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Registered: 10-03-2004
Short Acting Anti-Anxiety Drug
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Thu, 03-16-2006 - 5:00am

We have seen a specialist in ASD drug therapy and after much discussion, etc. he gave us a prescription for a short-acting anti-anxiety drug called Clonazepam. This is in bloodstream and working in under 10 minutes, lasts about 4 hours, then out, super mild dose, almost no side effects.

In order to try out the use of this drug, which we plan to only use for competetive sports as necessary, we set up a baseball game with 2 of Malcolm's best buddies, twins, one ASD, one NT, about 15 of their NT teammates and a few dads/moms as well. Malcolm (age 8, PDD-NOS) usually has a hard time holding it together in any competetive sports situation for very long, getting angry when he misses, if anyone runs into him, etc. He really CAN do it sometimes, he has good days and bad days with it. The only problem is that he wants to play with his friends and be on little league and basketball teams. And so far we haven't been comfortable to have him try.

And HOORAY HOORAY he did great in the game. He had so much fun. He and his best pal did little hip dances and chants as their teammates ran in. When he missed the ball in a play, he looked over at me when a big grin and said casually "Oh well..." At one point during game, he trotted over to where his pal's mom and I were standing and said "Isn't this funny? There's something wrong with my body. I'm not getting angry!"

The next day he had a coaching with private baseball lesson. He had a hard time again when missing the ball. Like always with his private lessons, he hung in there and managed even though he cried and yelled some. Afterwards, he asked why the medicine had stopped working! I said it only lasts 4 hours and he looked sad -- "Why couldn't it last 2 days?" I explained that he will only use the medicine for games and that we want him to learn how to eventually not need the medicine then, either. Last night he had a private basketball coaching and did perfect, no screaming, crying, played hard and well, and no drugs. Next time we'll set up a basketball game. Little League starts in April.

Hopeful Happy Dance...

Sara
ilovemalcolm

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-16-2006 - 5:13pm

LOL, I went and spoke to darn soon. I just went to pick him up from school. I needed to change the routine for pick up a bit because as part of the PTA I was helping unload some plants for the kindie area after school today. I was going to take the kids on the playground for about 20 minutes then unload plants. He had been told about this for the past 2 days on a number of occasions. Each time he said he wasn't doing it, etc. Usually though he says that for any new thing and with enough preparation he will once he sees what we are doing.

Well when I got to school he gave me heck about it. Flat out refused to comply at all and kicked me and yelled at me in the school hall as was mean again. Then was a turd on the playground and lets just say he has lost electronics for the night and is currently in timeout.

Dave was most unhelpful as well. Hyper, not listening, dangerous. So the both are in timeout until......30 or so?

Renee

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Registered: 08-26-2005
Thu, 03-16-2006 - 8:00pm
Sara,
That's great news! I've tried that drug a couple of times myself(fear of flying)and it was a pretty cool feeling not to feel anxious and on edge for the 7 hour flight home to Ireland I take every year. I totally understand his wish to have that feeling for longer because it's feels like your on cloud nine.Who wouldn'want to feel that way all the time?????
Teresa
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Registered: 10-03-2004
Thu, 03-16-2006 - 8:17pm

Hey Everyone,

You go away for a big day of teaching and running around, big team meeting this afternoon of all Malcolm's new educational personnel (10 plus 2 parents and that wasn't even everyone but the major players, ie. classroom teacher, reading teacher, OT, SLP, art therapist, movement therapist, behavioral therapist, classroom assistant teacher and the principal, the last one because Malcolm is so popular LOL) and while you're gone there's a whole conversation going on the boards without you!!!

So, you all answered each other already -- Clonazapem is being here used on as needed basis, and in limited usage. Too much regular use lowers effectiveness and then dose has to go up, etc. We are hoping to not use it much more than 1x a week for games, maybe occasionally for a tough practise. As I said, the idea is for him to not always get it and learn how well he can do without it once he is more comfortable with the team, expectations, skills, etc.

Littleroses, that is good thinking about helping that rough transition if we do decide to go for something long acting. We will not be trying the SSRI unless he really isn't able to keep calm in new more challenging school environment. He IS having more meltdowns at new school, but so far the school is managing to work with him, use coping techniques. Also, it's just been a month, so noone is thinking he is in trouble yet, still the transition adjustment period and many days he does very well. But he isn't as comfortable as he was in ASD school. (Of course, first 6 weeks this past Fall at ASD school, he was having rough time in new classroom, this poor boy has not been cut many breaks, hardest working dude ever!~!)

Hey, Renee, there is a transition period for starting new enzymes, too, isn't there? Betcha you should stick with these and give Mike a few weeks to even out. This kiddos are so bloomin' sensitive. Sheesh, Princess on the pea, etc. OH, and gorgeous gorgeous kids you got there. I'm gonna hafta figure out how to post link for a pic of Malcolm for y'all.

The specialist says the only side effects on this are if they react opposite, getting more anxious, that didn't happen for us and he said it would happen right away if it was going to ... and other one is if they get too sleepy, sluggish, drunk-like. That didn't happen either. So, cool, so far so good!

more as happening,

Sara
ilovemalcolm

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Registered: 10-03-2004
Fri, 03-17-2006 - 7:09am

Teresa,

Wow, that's funny. I bet we teach this boy to FALL IN LOVE with competitive sports, as that is when he will get the assistance LOL. Of course, we want him to only use the drug when he needs it... Several therapists have warned us about him liking the drug too much, and I realize that is a possible problem here! I was very relieved to hear about his basketball coaching session on Tues. where he was scoring and playing and missing and faking and sweating buckets and pushing himself and having fun and no drugs!

Yeah, and everyone I talk to about this says "I want that drug, too." Kinda sad how anxious our whole world is, isn't it? Maybe that Spectrum Tropical Island Community isn't a bad idea after all...

Sara

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 03-17-2006 - 7:25am

wooohooo! sounds great so far! hope you continue to get the results you're hoping for!

Betsy

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Registered: 02-24-2005
Fri, 03-17-2006 - 11:58am
I take Klonipen(clonazapam) for anxiety but only when I need it really bad and in very small doses. I have had no noticable side effects and it's great for those nights when you're worn out but can't sleep because your mind is racing with worry. Since taking over as PTO president I've admittedly used it more than usual but I'm stepping down after this year so hopefully I won't need it as often. Good luck and I hope it works for your ds. Vicky

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