Comments on: To Med or Not to Med http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/ Beyond ABA, after OT . . . what now? Sat, 12 May 2012 16:16:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Teen Autism » Blog Archive » New Year, New Behavior, Part 4 http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-4174 Teen Autism » Blog Archive » New Year, New Behavior, Part 4 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:17:27 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-4174 [...] are times when we wonder why we waited so long to do something. Why we fretted, why we were hesitant. This is one of those [...] [...] are times when we wonder why we waited so long to do something. Why we fretted, why we were hesitant. This is one of those [...]

]]> By: mama mara http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2423 mama mara Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:31:04 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2423 Silly me. I assumed Nigel was already on meds, and you were wrestling with adding more. I used to resist meds, but now I see them as chemical correctors for my boys' unbalanced systems. I'll never forget when Taz, inpatient in a child psychiatric hospital, started Abilify. The very next day, he grinned at me and crowed in amazement, "Mom, I don't want to hit you!" It changed his (and our) life. Over time, he's needed more meds, had to change meds, had some godawful reactions to other meds, but overall I do not for a minute regret finding the right psychotropic treatments for him. Ditto for Rocky, who takes Geodon and Guanfacine and is much less likely to explode in rage at school. Silly me. I assumed Nigel was already on meds, and you were wrestling with adding more. I used to resist meds, but now I see them as chemical correctors for my boys’ unbalanced systems. I’ll never forget when Taz, inpatient in a child psychiatric hospital, started Abilify. The very next day, he grinned at me and crowed in amazement, “Mom, I don’t want to hit you!” It changed his (and our) life. Over time, he’s needed more meds, had to change meds, had some godawful reactions to other meds, but overall I do not for a minute regret finding the right psychotropic treatments for him. Ditto for Rocky, who takes Geodon and Guanfacine and is much less likely to explode in rage at school.

]]> By: Michelle O'Neil http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2415 Michelle O'Neil Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:52:22 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2415 Big heavy sigh here for you but no answers. I wish I had answers. Big heavy sigh here for you but no answers. I wish I had answers.

]]> By: angharad http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2390 angharad Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:58:47 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2390 we had the same dilemma about prozac. my son was having suicidal thoughts from when he was 10 and as there is a history of attempted suicide with my father i didn't want to take any chances. people can be very damning of parents who medicate their kids - for us it was a real benefit but its really for each family to make these choices- good luck with coming to a conclusion! we had the same dilemma about prozac. my son was having suicidal thoughts from when he was 10 and as there is a history of attempted suicide with my father i didn’t want to take any chances. people can be very damning of parents who medicate their kids – for us it was a real benefit but its really for each family to make these choices- good luck with coming to a conclusion!

]]> By: Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily) http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2384 Bonnie Sayers (autismfamily) Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:04:40 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2384 The Pharmacist told me that Risperdal and Geodon are in the same class of antipsychotics. Abilify is in a different one. Mathew started about five years ago on Risperdal. A google on side effects should bring my article on BellaOnline. It was great for Matt, he stopped the PICA, had a solid bowel movement first day and sleep was so much more organized, same time each nite. When dosage was upped we got the side effects and had to explain to teacher and aide, they thought mimicking autism behaviors, big difference between hand flapping and hand shaking from tremors, same with leg movements and lip smacking. Geodon has no weight gain side effect, that is the big difference and he could use it, but dont want a huger kid attacking me. We did the liquid Risperdal and Geodon is a capsule that I open up andput in his rice drink. Takes it in AM smaller dosage and at 5PM ish takes other dosage with a pinch or two more and is asleep by 7:15, works great for our needs. my ex is paranoid schizophrenic. He was on Risperdal and I saw how he did on it and that helped me decide. He went off and was homeless, now back on and more focused. I was thinking of changing to abilify and had talk a week ago with pharmacist and decided Geodon is better than abilify. Never see commercials on tv for Geodon. That says something. Good luck The Pharmacist told me that Risperdal and Geodon are in the same class of antipsychotics. Abilify is in a different one. Mathew started about five years ago on Risperdal. A google on side effects should bring my article on BellaOnline. It was great for Matt, he stopped the PICA, had a solid bowel movement first day and sleep was so much more organized, same time each nite.

When dosage was upped we got the side effects and had to explain to teacher and aide, they thought mimicking autism behaviors, big difference between hand flapping and hand shaking from tremors, same with leg movements and lip smacking.

Geodon has no weight gain side effect, that is the big difference and he could use it, but dont want a huger kid attacking me. We did the liquid Risperdal and Geodon is a capsule that I open up andput in his rice drink. Takes it in AM smaller dosage and at 5PM ish takes other dosage with a pinch or two more and is asleep by 7:15, works great for our needs.

my ex is paranoid schizophrenic. He was on Risperdal and I saw how he did on it and that helped me decide. He went off and was homeless, now back on and more focused. I was thinking of changing to abilify and had talk a week ago with pharmacist and decided Geodon is better than abilify. Never see commercials on tv for Geodon. That says something. Good luck

]]> By: Tanya Savko http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2379 Tanya Savko Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:48:27 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2379 Everyone, I can't thank you enough for your words of encouragement. Kate and Casdok, thank you for reminding me that he doesn't have to be on it forever. For some reason I was losing sight of that. Holly and Em, I appreciate your empathy and advice. I really do feel better now! It's a hard decision, but I'm realizing that it doesn't have to be a permanent one. Everyone, I can’t thank you enough for your words of encouragement.

Kate and Casdok, thank you for reminding me that he doesn’t have to be on it forever. For some reason I was losing sight of that.

Holly and Em, I appreciate your empathy and advice. I really do feel better now! It’s a hard decision, but I’m realizing that it doesn’t have to be a permanent one.

]]> By: Casdok http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2361 Casdok Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:40:43 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2361 Antipsychotic is such a horrible term. Like you it put me off for years. Until C got to crisis point and i gave into Risperdal. And couldnt believe the difference it made. He was on it for 2 years, and in that time he learnt to manage some of his own behaviour enough to come off it. I wish you well in your ponderings! Antipsychotic is such a horrible term. Like you it put me off for years. Until C got to crisis point and i gave into Risperdal. And couldnt believe the difference it made. He was on it for 2 years, and in that time he learnt to manage some of his own behaviour enough to come off it.
I wish you well in your ponderings!

]]> By: Em http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2360 Em Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:00:19 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2360 Oh Tanya, I feel your pain. Like Nigel, Son18 is very aware of the social rules and wants to fit in, but he just can not self-regulate his behaviors well enough to make it happen. Son18 has been on medications for a number of years. We used to feel badly about it. Now we think, gee, if his eyes gave him trouble we would get him glasses. So if his behavior gives him trouble, why not give him what he needs to behave better? So we do. For us, Risperdal has been a total life saver. It takes the edge off the anxiety, the anger, and the impulsiveness. But I'm not saying you should try it...cause every kid responds differently. Just sharing that we've had a very good experience with it. Don't let the label "antipsychotic" break your heart on this one. We both know our kids aren't psychotic. It just happens to be that class of meds that help the right part of the neurological system. You have to do what you think is best...and no one can judge you for that. And as a parent who has struggled with these same issues, I, for one, will understand and support any choice you make! Oh Tanya, I feel your pain. Like Nigel, Son18 is very aware of the social rules and wants to fit in, but he just can not self-regulate his behaviors well enough to make it happen.

Son18 has been on medications for a number of years. We used to feel badly about it. Now we think, gee, if his eyes gave him trouble we would get him glasses. So if his behavior gives him trouble, why not give him what he needs to behave better? So we do.

For us, Risperdal has been a total life saver. It takes the edge off the anxiety, the anger, and the impulsiveness. But I’m not saying you should try it…cause every kid responds differently. Just sharing that we’ve had a very good experience with it.

Don’t let the label “antipsychotic” break your heart on this one. We both know our kids aren’t psychotic. It just happens to be that class of meds that help the right part of the neurological system.

You have to do what you think is best…and no one can judge you for that. And as a parent who has struggled with these same issues, I, for one, will understand and support any choice you make!

]]> By: Fearless Females http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2359 Fearless Females Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:19:28 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2359 I wish I could help. I really do. But you and Nigel are the only two who can decide. I wasn’t sure from the post but does the doctor believe he should go on meds? If so, then maybe you could try them. I had the same hesitations about having Nick go on meds, but after he started he told me he was feeling better and did better in school, so my doubts disappeared pretty quickly. Also, is there a social skills class that can work on teaching him techniques on how to handle kids who upset him? I wish I could help. I really do. But you and Nigel are the only two who can decide. I wasn’t sure from the post but does the doctor believe he should go on meds? If so, then maybe you could try them. I had the same hesitations about having Nick go on meds, but after he started he told me he was feeling better and did better in school, so my doubts disappeared pretty quickly.

Also, is there a social skills class that can work on teaching him techniques on how to handle kids who upset him?

]]> By: Kate http://teenautism.com/2009/01/09/to-med-or-not-to-med/comment-page-1/#comment-2356 Kate Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:31:37 +0000 http://teenautism.com/?p=235#comment-2356 Hmm. Well, that is certainly a difficult question. I would tend to say that if Nigel actually wants the meds, then he should probably be allowed to give them a try. They don't usually have permanent side effects - you can always stop them. Personally I am so paranoid about side effects I won't even try most things. But if Nigel's willing to try, really, what do you have to lose? I speak from experience, though, in that my parents forced me, yes, forced me to go on Abilify a few years ago. Personally, I had horrible side effects, and couldn't stand it, but they did go away when I got off. They made me wait 2 weeks and then I begged them to let me get off and they finally did and THANK GOD for that because it was the most uncomfortable, intolerable two weeks of my life. But the point is not everyone reacts that way and he would have the choice about if he wanted to stop them or not, much sooner than I did, if he wanted to. And I have heard it helps some people, and I have also heard a LOT of parents with autistic kids with anger problems use risperdal with good results. So just my two cents. Free choice is a good thing. :) And if someone chooses something they are much more motivated to seeing it through and trying to make it work. Kate Hmm. Well, that is certainly a difficult question. I would tend to say that if Nigel actually wants the meds, then he should probably be allowed to give them a try. They don’t usually have permanent side effects – you can always stop them.
Personally I am so paranoid about side effects I won’t even try most things. But if Nigel’s willing to try, really, what do you have to lose?
I speak from experience, though, in that my parents forced me, yes, forced me to go on Abilify a few years ago.
Personally, I had horrible side effects, and couldn’t stand it, but they did go away when I got off. They made me wait 2 weeks and then I begged them to let me get off and they finally did and THANK GOD for that because it was the most uncomfortable, intolerable two weeks of my life.

But the point is not everyone reacts that way and he would have the choice about if he wanted to stop them or not, much sooner than I did, if he wanted to.

And I have heard it helps some people, and I have also heard a LOT of parents with autistic kids with anger problems use risperdal with good results.

So just my two cents.
Free choice is a good thing. :)
And if someone chooses something they are much more motivated to seeing it through and trying to make it work.

Kate

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