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Re: Adderall and PDD

Posted by ginny on July 16, 1999, at 20:02:29

In reply to Re: Adderall and PDD, posted by Anne on July 15, 1999, at 21:20:03

>You'd know by now. Adderall is metabolized rather quickly, it does not "build up" in the system like other types of meds. If your guy is explosive, start charting the expolosions. Maybe they are med related. My son did well for two hours on Ritalin, but then would "rebound" so bad, he'd be explosive, then crying, then clawing at his face, all in a short time. Discuss the target symptoms with your doc, ask what other ideas he has, then research them. We went to one quack when my son was seven that immediately wanted to put him on Mellaril, which is a very old, very nasty antipsychotic. I called my pediatrician to double check since I thought it sounded fishy. (this was before Internet). She said, get the hell out of there, he doesn't know what he is doing! By the way, if you're using a family doc, you had better think about getting a psychiatrist that specializes in complex kids.

When you move out of the stimulant category, most other types of drugs take three to four weeks. Many times, though, we knew they wouldn't work the first week. Anti-depressents (tricyclics) made him nastier, SSRI's (like Prozac) made him more hyper...by then we were with a psychiatrist that worked with complex kids. He knew these were hints. Sometimes what doesn't work is as valuable information as what does. If he's absolutely no better on Adderall, don't bother trying every stimulant.

Anyway, I hope this makes sense, Anne. Knowledge is power. Get lots of it. Find a doc that explains things to your satisfaction and LISTENS when you notice bizarre side effects.

I can say despite the fact our kid is very severe, he now takes his meds willingly (and there's a lot of them) and tells his psychiatrist when he doesn't feel they are working. We have taught him that it is his right to feel better, and not to live with nasty side effects. A few times he has forgotten to take his meds before school, and consequently had an AWFUL day. I just remind him when he balks at taking them. It will take you a while to get to this point, but it happens. I figure he is gonna have to take them most of his life, and the more pro-active I can make him, the better off he will be.

Hope this helps. Again, don't get too caught up on the diagnosis. If he's six, they may change. He's lucky to have such an invested Mom. Remember you know and love him better than anyone. Your observations matter! I will check back on this thread....
>
> Thanks for the info. Since my last thread, I have also found out that ADHD, combined type; and Severe Disruptive Behavior Disorder along with the PDD, is part of the total diagnosis. So far we are seeing very little results, but it has only been one month, so I am going to give it a little longer. How much time do you usually give to see if a medicine is going to do what it is supposed to? This is his first set of meds, so I am a novice at this!!


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Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:ginny thread:8647
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990628/msgs/8806.html