Posted by Momof1BPKid on October 26, 2003, at 1:40:45
In reply to Abilify Lexapro Problem, posted by Brian K. on October 26, 2003, at 0:02:32
Just wanted to respond to this. Yes your son's doc "may" be over reacting, but he is a trained professional which usually means he fits the criteria for the illness he is recommending treatment for. I don't want you to get angry with me, cause I can certainly understand this. But I would hope you would just listen to what I have to say. I was very defensive and angry when people said my son had a problem, I knew he did, but I never wanted to admit. I would mention it to doctors but most ignored me for a very very long time. Until finally he had to be hospitalized. He has documented behavior problems since a very early age. But there are also very many wonderful things about him, that in comparison to other kids makes me say "ok his problem is this, other kids have different problems he doesnt have"
But it took years and years until he was finally hospitalized for someone to listen to me.
I certainly would allow the doctor to treat your son, medications are a scary thing at times, but if you put it off your son could be alot worse down the line, believe me, I am seriously anti med and yes I worry a great deal about the amount of meds he takes and the possible side effects, but I really had to step up to the plate and help my child, he needed to have a life where he could function and have friends and not alienate people with his behavior. I am not telling you what to do, but only given advice here. I dont feel parents should deny medication that could be helpful and allow someone to function when they can't. If your child had a heart problem would you deny treatment to help him? These kids can't help it, its the way their brains are wired. I think lexapro is not a bad thing, its an antidepressant and so many many people take them and lexapro seems to have the best side effects profile currently. Secondly, You say he may have schizo traits, but Doctors often will treat a child or teen for a mood disorder, especially if anger is present in the child, while treating them with an antidepressant. This is really a new line of thinking for psychiatrists who were diagnosing adhd in children for so long. Many children where were being diagnosed adhd, were really mood disorders (bipolar) etc , they werent responding to meds and some meds were only making things worse.
Doctors prescribe mood stablizers alot more with a combination of meds , only because if bipolar is present it could get worse on an ssri or a stimulant.
So he may have added the abilify to stablize mood, atypical antipsychotics are often used on children and adolescents with aggressive behavior. My son takes abilify not for schizo traits but off label for bipolar mood disorders.
The abilify can definately cause alot of this, I am not sure about lexapro as my son has never been on it. But I do want to recommend (and this is only advice)you do what is best for your son right now and treat him. He may not need meds his whole life, maybe it is misdiagnosis, maybe he is just going through "teen times", or maybe he may need meds the rest of his life, but right now its important to support him, dont make him feel weird and make him "try" to act right, because these kids have no control over this, and it only makes them feel worse. Constant pressure on a kid to "just get over it" will cause more problems, its like tell a diabetic "just make your own insulin and stop all that pancreatic dysfunction. It just doesnt work.
I know side effects can be scary, but I believe that treatment can be so much more beneficial when you compare it to the problems that might occur if no treatment is given to him. I strongly believe that if you treat him early as possible he will be able to learn to help himself and deal with this at a younger age and allow for him to be on a path where he can be successful, and most importantly well.I wish you luck, You have every right to be concerned with the medications, but at the same time, there are some very young children on some of these medications you have mentioned and I think he will be fine. Just support him and make sure he gets therapy for his anger as well. Again this is just my opinion you can toss it out the window if you want.. I am just telling you what my experience has been. And I am sure other parents might have some stories to totally contradict mine as far as medication goes.
But anyways,
:)
good luck!
> Our 15 year old son has been on Lexapro [first 10 mg] now 20 mg for about 4 months...MONDAY [October 20] appointment with the Psychiatrist...Doc says he shows schizo traits and puts him on Abilify 15mg...by today, Friday, he's having restlessness + sleepiness + neck and face tremors!!!!!!! Think this is NOT right and think its outlandish.
> Any comments???????????
>
poster:Momof1BPKid
thread:273506
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031025/msgs/273532.html