sons meds are crazy

[mtrouse]

:idea: :butterfly :bounce: :wave: I have a 5yr old ds and he has been on meds since he was 2 1/2 for ADHD mild autism ans sensory intergration disorder. He currently takes 5 different meds. Prozac, depakote, risperidol, ritalin, and to sleep clonidine. This med thing is getting nuts. Sems like every time i go take him to the doc with another symptom say wetting his pants or not focusing he is prescribed another drug. Want to get a lil bit of advice from other moms. I feel like over the summer I should "start over from scratch" take him off all the meds and see what we are dealing with now. Been on meds for 2 !/2 yrs, i feel like he could have outgrown some off this and then meds are what is making the problems. Feel caught between the love and worry of my son. I want him to succeed in school and be calm enough to sit in a chair to learn but i also want him to be a healthy adult and am worried about longterm affects of all these meds. We have started blood work to check to make sure his liver is filtering the depakote. The dosage of the depakote that he is taking is low but as he gets older it will increase which would be more for his liver to filter, which would start to strain it i belive. Please somebody give me some sort of advice. I would love to know if my starting over idea is a good idea or has been tried before.

[AnnW]

Is it the same doc who has prescribed all these meds? If not, I would sure make sure one doc was in charge of all the meds. I might even go to the pharmacist and ask about all these meds taken together.
I would probably eliminate one med at a time. You can't just stop prozac without some withdrawal problems.

[mtrouse]

same doc has prescribed all meds. i exp[ect withdrawls from prozac and the ritalin. I am ready to "deal"with withdrawls for a month or 2 just ready to find out if i am still treating the same disorders we started out with.

[Toby]

Before pulling the meds its seems to be time to look for a second opinion. Look for a pediatrician who specializes in ADD etc, and go through the long process to see where your child is. The process may be a long one but have patience these doctors don't perscribe some of these strong medicines for no reason. Have faith and let us know what the second opinion comes up with.
cheers
Toby

[Amy]

My gut tells me to eliminate these drugs and see what you have. No doctor should diagnois ADHD by 2 1/2 years old AND medicate him! My son showed signs of Asperger's (mild autism) at 3 years old, but he out grew most of the symptoms on his own. As of right now, he was diagnoised with dyspraxia and possible ADHD. He is almost 7 years old. I am still refusing to medicate him until I figure out every other possibilty to help him.

My gut also tells me that you should get a second opinion from another pediatrician. Try and get an appointment with a developmental pediatrician specialist. He would be best to look over all these meds and determine if he is overmedicated (which I think he is) and have him properly diagnoised.

Good Luck!

[vea29]

I definately think a second opinion is in order....I'm no expert but I've seen kids on these specific meds and it just sounds like alot all at once.

Be patient....It may take some time to see the effects of a specific med.

[PamE]

Please don't just take him off all the meds, cold turkey. You don't want HIM to have to deal with that! Go to another pediatrician for a second opinion and have him write up a schedule of how to gradually taper him off of the ones you can't just stop. I agree that it doesn't sound right for him to be on all those meds, starting at such a young age!

[AnnW]

Please don't just take him off all the meds, cold turkey. You don't want HIM to have to deal with that! Go to another pediatrician for a second opinion and have him write up a schedule of how to gradually taper him off of the ones you can't just stop. I agree that it doesn't sound right for him to be on all those meds, starting at such a young age!


AMEN!!!!!!!!! no offense, but it's not YOU who will be dealing with the severe symptoms of withdrawal, but your child.

And ditto both Amy and Pam, I think your child was diagnosed and medicated way too young.

[Amy]

Please don't just take him off all the meds, cold turkey. You don't want HIM to have to deal with that! Go to another pediatrician for a second opinion and have him write up a schedule of how to gradually taper him off of the ones you can't just stop. I agree that it doesn't sound right for him to be on all those meds, starting at such a young age!

I agree, some of those meds you just can't quite without repercussions. I should say, my goal would be to eliminate or reduce those that may no longer apply to him, but not without a specialist (developmental pediatrician) monitoring it.

[Melody]

ITA with the others. Amy was so right about being diagnosed and medicated for ADD at 2 years old. ??? How is that possible?
I am honestly in shock over that. Every doctor I have had my boys to, including the teachers, have all said that trying to diagnose a child at even 5 or 6 is too young in most cases. At that age they are still not used to the classroom setting and they're all full of &!$$ and vinegar at that age.
My gut is also saying that your child is over medicated.

Something to consider is that your doctor is a doctor, not a pharmasist. Meaning that they may not always be away of all reprocussions of mixing so many medications that your pharmacist is. My father has to be very careful what he takes and how much and what he can even take for a cold, if anything. He goes to the pharmacist because they are much more up to date on it all. That's what they do. When you fill your sons prescriptions, do you always go to the same place? I really think that (and this goes for everyone) should find one good pharmacy and stick to them, even better if it's the same pharmacist.
I whole heartily agree with Pam though, don't take him off without being monitored by a doctor. I too think you need a second opinion.
Good luck.

[mtrouse]

we have been seeing the same psychiatrist, which has been rated one of the top 10 psychiatrists in the usa. I have an appointment on the 23rd of this month and am going to TRY to voice my worries and get him off of some of these. When I am in the office though i voice my concerns and are pretty much shoved aside with, lets try this. I guess i will at least get the prozac lowered and see about weening him off the rest when school is out is out for the summer.

[Amy]

Those kind of doctors freak me out. Because they are so well respected, they tend to have "god complexes" and we couldn't know possibly what best to do. I still don't understand why a psychiatrist would be his main doctor. I still think you should go to a developmental pediatrician. It would be a better fit to you son's needs. Just remember: YOU are the expert of your son, YOUR opinion should weigh heavily on the doctor, YOU need to stick up for your son if you feel like something isn't right. You are his biggest advocate, so be more firm.

[AnnW]

Unless there is alot more to the story than you are posting, a "good" doctor wouldn't over medicate such a young child especially against the wishes of a parent.
FIRE the doctor. Go to another.

[vea29]

I agree...Do what you feel is the best for your son. If this doctor is over medicating (in your opinion)...then even though he may be one of the Top 10 Dr's he may not be right for your child.

[angie r]

My 2 friends with autisic children and 2 friends who are child therapists say that autism isn't diagnosed until at least age 3. Every 2 year old displays signs of ADHD also. Sounds like way too much medication to me. I know you also have to wean off of Prozac or you get horrendous headaches.

There are other methods of getting him to sit still in a classroom. Pressure vest, physical input between learning sessions, picture schedules, etc.

Good for you for looking out for your child!

[mtrouse]

just made an appointment with an a developmental pediatrician. the appointment isin't for a month and a half, but hey its better than no appointment. i forgot to mention the diagnosis of bipolar. sorry it's been a crazy day. I have 2 other small children 4 and 2 so i stay running. I think my oldest girl has who is 4 has alot of learned behavior from my son. Thanks so much for all of your advice. I appreciate it so much as i know that others have been in my place before. :groupofgr

[angie r]

I just hate that it takes so long to get in!! I hope you find what you all need. Wow, you are a busy mommy!

[PamE]

Those kind of doctors freak me out. Because they are so well respected, they tend to have "god complexes" and we couldn't know possibly what best to do. I still don't understand why a psychiatrist would be his main doctor. I still think you should go to a developmental pediatrician. It would be a better fit to you son's needs. Just remember: YOU are the expert of your son, YOUR opinion should weigh heavily on the doctor, YOU need to stick up for your son if you feel like something isn't right. You are his biggest advocate, so be more firm.


Unless there is alot more to the story than you are posting, a "good" doctor wouldn't over medicate such a young child especially against the wishes of a parent.
FIRE the doctor. Go to another.

I can't agree more!!!! And I LOVE the pressure vest!

[Amy]

Good luck! Come prepared! Have a list of all the meds your ds is taking express your concerns UPFRONT so the doctor knows where you stand. Unless we are missing a huge piece of the story, I would imagine he is going to be shocked that you ds is this overmedicated. Let us know how it goes!

[Melody]

Good luck. As far as 'trying' to give your opinion and express concers to a doctor, YOU are the parent and the doctor (any good one) will listen to those concerns. Every child is different. And him 'trying this one or that one' isn't trying to address the needs of the child but treating him as a general guinne pig and needs to be fired. JMO I hope your appt. goes well. Keep us posted.

[mtrouse]

i will deffinately keep yall posted. Opinions are what I am hunting for. Never knew there was a doctor that specialized in developmental pediatrics untill Amy/co mentioned it. The advice and opinions have been wonderful(though some i feel had a little anger attached.) I know that I being his mom know what is best for my child and should definately listen to my gut. Between the doctors with the God complexes and the school, with the we can't deal with him if he isin't on the meds, I have let these people change my sons behavior for the worse. In the past year we have started spitting on the floor, climbing out the windows and generally just having some major behavioral issues. Some of these may be the 5yr old boy kicking in him, but i think the severity and some of these come from the way he feels by being on all these meds. I try to ask him how he is feeling but it is hard for a 5yr old to tell ya exactly how it is that he feels. Hopefully this doctor (developmental pediatrician) can help him and we can get back to normal. Keep your fingers crossed for me and also we could use a few prayers. God bless you all and before I forget HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

[mtrouse]

I sure can't spell.

[Beth/TX]

I agree, it sounds like he is on way too many meds. Good luck with the developmental pediatrician.