So. More about my kiddo. :/

[iamali]

*
*
**

*****

**~~~~~~***~~~***~~~**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~***************************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**********************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


PDQ

His psychiatrist started him on Risperdal, which is apparently an antipsychotic.

She said it's for his "anger" issues.

I'm really, really struggling with this decision. Risperdal is often prescribed for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.



I'm open to the fact that this may help him. But I'm sad about it. I'm afraid he is going to be a zombie or something on it. Or that he won't be able to express his personality.

[daisybuchannan]

No advice, but support.

You sound like a good mom.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

I have worked with ONE client on it, so it's not like I'm an expert.

But he definitely wasn't zombie-d out. I didn't know him before, but he was still lively and thoughtful and had a big personality.

[Deleted]

I'm sorry it's upsetting you. I know this has been a really tough road. Here's hope that this helps.

[alzi]

Hugs. I hope it helps!!

[iamali]

Apr 18, 2014 9:20:50 GMT -5 Ohhmm(bligo) said:

I have worked with ONE client on it, so it's not like I'm an expert.

But he definitely wasn't zombie-d out. I didn't know him before, but he was still lively and thoughtful and had a big personality.

Ok, this is good to hear. TY.

[wambam]

I took risperidal. It can also be used in combination with antidepressants to help them work better.

The drug ended up giving me migraines so I had to stop. But no zombie feelings.

((Hug))

[WOT?*]

(((iamali)))
Because I don't know what to say. Just *hugs* for you and your poor kiddo. You're a good mom. He's a good kid. You'll get it figured out. And more hugs because anyone in your shoes right now needs all the hugs.

[So_Fetch]

I'm sorry, Ali. I hope this helps him feel better.

[nursewife]

Trust your doctor. Anti psychotics are used for a variety of issues, not just the big ones your thinking of. The kids I've seen on it are definitely not zombies. Don't let the class of medications it belongs to scare you. Be easy on yourself. ((Hugs))

[lightbulbsun]

I was prescribed Seroquel, also an anti-psychotic, for insomnia a few years ago. It freaked me out at first, but some drugs can be effective for a lot of different symptoms.

(((hugs))) I really hope this helps him.

[MrsPenny]

I was on it before I got pregnant. It really helped me. I wasn't a zombie at all. It really was a life saver. I hope this helps him.

[nahoku]

(((Ali))) I hope it helps.

[hopecounts]

If prescribed correctly that med can be really effective and usually doesn't have the zombie effect.
So try it, if you do see zombie effects or anything off, talk to the doc, getting the right med/dosage to help without being too much or too little may take a little time so don't think it's all or nothing.
((hugs)) I hope the new med helps him.

[hereigo]

I wish I had some advice for you. (((HUGS)))

[cinnamoncox]

((Iamali)) you're such a great mom to your little boy. I totally understand your concerns and I wish you nothing but hope and progress.
Did the doc tell you a rough estimate on how long until you may see improvement? I've been on a few different things (in the past) and it can vary on how long until it's at a therapeutic level, so I hope you see positive changes soon.
Good luck to you and your boy.

[kmaxxx]

I usually just lurk, but I wanted you to know that my daughter (21) has been on Risperdal for 5+ years for mood management related to Aspergers Syndrome. She is an amazing kid - alert, positive, and best of all, she can access her coping skills so much easier. The only side effect she has experienced is some tiredness if she returns to the med after not taking it for a few days. You are a great mom, making great decisions for your kid. The right meds can absolutely help him reach a place where he can express himself and feel good about himself. Big hugs.

[textbookcase]

I'm sorry, Ali. You're such a great mom and you're doing everything you can for your son. I hope this med works well for him.

[underwaterrhymes]

No advice from me, but lots of hugs.

[iamali]

Apr 18, 2014 9:32:50 GMT -5 kmaxxx said:

I usually just lurk, but I wanted you to know that my daughter (21) has been on Risperdal for 5+ years for mood management related to Aspergers Syndrome. She is an amazing kid - alert, positive, and best of all, she can access her coping skills so much easier. The only side effect she has experienced is some tiredness if she returns to the med after not taking it for a few days. You are a great mom, making great decisions for your kid. The right meds can absolutely help him reach a place where he can express himself and feel good about himself. Big hugs.

Thank you for this. We're really hoping it helps with mood management.  I still want him to be my little boy, you know? I'm so afraid of losing "him".

[iamali]

Apr 18, 2014 9:31:42 GMT -5 cinnamoncox said:

((Iamali)) you're such a great mom to your little boy. I totally understand your concerns and I wish you nothing but hope and progress.
Did the doc tell you a rough estimate on how long until you may see improvement? I've been on a few different things (in the past) and it can vary on how long until it's at a therapeutic level, so I hope you see positive changes soon.
Good luck to you and your boy.

He's going back in 3 weeks so she can get a feel for how he is doing.

[whitemerlot]

I have worked with several children who have taken this medication and have seen it be incredibly helpful.

[ijack]

Hugs A, I hope it works

[nodontdothat]

Making a decision to medicate is so difficult. Hugs.

[emjacobs]

My brother is on Risperdal and it's worked wonders. He's certainly not a zombie, more just a normal person with out to outlashing anger.

[shell24]

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. You sound like a good advocate. You can always re-evaluate the decision in a few months.

[nsl]

No advice or personal experiences to share, but lots of hugs and support.

[noodleskooze]

PMing you

[iamali]

Apr 18, 2014 9:48:45 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

I know "anti psychotic" is a scary name for a medication but meds are used off-label all the time. I hope this helps him.

Big hugs to you.

Remind me: how old is he again? What's his diagnosis?

Yes jenny, it's the name/class. I just fear one more label will be hoisted upon him.

He's 10. Diagnosis is ADHD with severe anxiety (per his child psychiatrist). Possibly some Aspergers (this is a pedi assessment, not the psychiatrists).

[auntie]

Risperdal is a powerful medication. When it works as intended it can be life changing.

I know people who take it for schizophrenia, bipolar and ASD- generally it is prescribed at much lower doses for ASD. It can make the difference between being home and being in a RTF or between a mainstream setting and a self contained one.For kids on spectrum it can help them get unstuck and access the supports and interventions in the moment. If it the right med, you will see the best of your DS while he takes it.

It does have a scary profile of side effects; you should be aware of what to look for and contact your prescriber immediately if you have any concerns.