Posted by linkadge on March 26, 2004, at 19:15:35
In reply to Re: Effexor, Risperdal Depakote for 12 yr old, posted by gr8red on March 26, 2004, at 10:07:04
This is long but please, I think some will help.
There are so many factors to consider when the mind goes wrong, especially when kids are the ones involved.
The best tips I can think of for dealing with children are:
-Get a second, and third opinion.
-See the best posible person you can. If a
pediatric specialist is available is available
go to him.-Go very slowly. The problems didn't happen
over night, neither should the treatment.- Talk to anyone you know in connection with
your son, teachers, and friends.- You really need to be creative in finding a
way to really encourage honesty.- Make it clear that you want to do everything you can to help him feel better.
- Absolutely and totally *eliminate* any family
disputes. Put one person in charge of the
family for now, and any issues should be dealt
with in private. He really needs the safest
feeling environment to get better.I'm going to be honest, the effexor is the drug you want to watch. The risperdal, and depakote will tame him down but the effexor *may* be problematic.
Be sensitive to compaints like insomnia, and heart palpatitions. The risperdal should reduce the insomnia caused by the effexor.
**If you want my honest opinion**
You **need** to find a doctor that will prescribe lithium. Lithium is the gold standard for bipolar disorder, and anger disorders. The drugs combo he is on right now might really sap the life out of him. Lithium is *much* safer has fewer side effects, and has strong antisuicide effects, it will really reduce agitation, he may not even need a high dose.
Lithium should *not* combined with the effexor
in my opinion.I would really push for lithium monotherapy. It would be much better tolerated than the drugs he is on. I've been on all the drugs you have mentioned, and I hate to think that he might be going through what I have at a younger age. I am 21 and If I could turn back the clock I would have started lithium sooner.
That being said, effexor withdrawl is *not* nice at all, even for an adult. It sounds like much to ask but, if it is withdrawled, open up the capsules and remove about 10 granules a day.
That is my opinion, others may say differently,
but many times the doctors are only going by the book, they don't know what the drugs can make you feel like.Depakote will just calm you down, it should not make you depressed, it will cause cognitive dulling.
Risperdal, also will calm you down, it may depress, and it may cause cognative dulling.
The effexor is an antidepressant, but it can cause agitation, thankfully you are on a low dose, I would be VERY resistant to dose increases of this. If necessary I would be happier with the use of prozac or paxil, they may be less agitating than the effexor.
Anyhow, STAY on this board, and let us know what happens.
LinkadgeWhatever you do, work hard to get him better this summer. Let him know that feeling better is #1, and school comes later.
poster:linkadge
thread:328581
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040325/msgs/328855.html