Re: Violent behavior

[Guest guest]

Hi and (((hugs)))--I didn't realize all this time your son was only

on the Luvox and no other SSRIs had been tried. I'm glad you have found a

new doctor, one this unresponsive to this big of a " dive " in a formerly

non-violent child, who became violent when started on an SSRI isn't much of

a team player. You really need a child pharmacologist who has expert

insight into these and any other psych meds your son may need.

My bet is it's the Luvox and you are right to slowly withdraw it rather than

stopping it abruptly. You could call his ped, tell him/her what you want to

do and ask for a schedule. Or call the former or new pdoc and say what

you've posted here, and that you need a safe reducing schedule for the

Luvox.

The first SSRI my child was placed on caused such severe and frightening

behavior changes that I literally didn't recognize her and had no idea what

she may do next. Untreated severe OCD was a picnic compared to this stuff.

Three months and there was no reduction in these dangerous behaviors and

other side effects, in fact they escalated, and the prescribing doc just

kept raising the dose and blowing off my concerns. Fortunately I was able

to switch docs at this point who immediately pulled her off this med and

started her on a different SSRI. Though we went through two others before

we got to Zoloft which worked well for her without bad side effects, *no

other SSRI besides that first one has caused the manic, dangerously

impulsive behavior that it did*. My point is, though there are some kids

who are in fact bi-polar and who have horrid reactions to SSRIs if they are

not stabilized first on an antipsychotic, there are also those like mine

(and I hope yours) whose bizarre, violent and etc. behavior is strictly a

side effect of the wrong-for-them SSRI. My child was herself again within a

few days after we stopped that first SSRI--then " all " we had to deal with

was the raging OCD...

Please do try to update us with what is going on. Try not to worry too much

at this point about missed school or the prospect of finding another school

and etc. All these problems will seem doable enough--easy even--later when

the immediate crisis is past, though they are probably only adding to your

stress level right now.

Take care ,

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

> Hello,

> Things have gone from bad to worse.My son is so out of control we

> have been staying with family for a week now.He is taking Risperdal

> twice daily but I still see no improvement.My family is helping me

> handle him because I can not do it alone anymore.I have looked into a

> few hospitals but they aren't the best around here and the last one

> we almost put him in was laying the blame on parenting skills.Like I

> said before the violence has been building over this past year and

> the past two months have been just awful.He curses,hits,punches and

> throws things until you have to get on top of him to restrain him.I

> still think it could have something to do with the Luvox so I have

> decided to slowly cut it back.I am afraid to just stop it because I

> read that could lead to some complications.I do not understand why

> the doctor has never tried something else instead of the luvox.He

> just adds to it but won't change it even after I told him my

> concerns.We have an appt. with a new doc Friday,finally after trying

> to get him seen for weeks.He has missed so much school and they told

> me he has to return to finish the end of the year unless he is

> hospitalized.They also said to find a new school for him next year

> (Catholic schools live by there own set of rules ya know).I'm not

> sure where to go from here.I feel lost and drained and I am starting

> to think he'll never get better.Help Please!!!!Thanks in advane in

> case I don't have time to post.~~

[Guest guest]

Hi , and many, many ((((hugs)))) your way! I'm so glad you

have family that can help out and take some of the burden off.

I second all Kathy said.

Was he showing some violent tendencies at all before the Luvox?? You

said it'd been escalating, so am wondering. I'd trust your instincts

on this if you suspect the Luvox caused it or is making it worse.

As Kathy said, just get through this and don't even begin to concern

yourself with school right now.

And he WILL get better! I know when was at his worst at the

beginning with OCD, it was like a different person. He wasn't

violent (tho a temper did show, unlike him). For , it was

like watching my patient, good, gifted child disappear before my

eyes, with all these compulsions, facial grimaces/contortions, etc.,

he was just consumed by OCD. I thought he would have to be

hospitalized also. However, we and he made it through. I guess it

might seem hardest at first when all this stuff begins. I can't say

it was easier when he later went thru another rough phase, but I

believe that " I " handled it a lot better emotionally, due to more

knowledge about OCD, the fact we had survived before, etc.

Hang in there and keep us updated when you can. We care!!

> Hello,

> Things have gone from bad to worse.My son is so out of control

we

> have been staying with family for a week now.He is taking Risperdal

> twice daily but I still see no improvement.My family is helping me

> handle him because I can not do it alone anymore.I have looked into

a

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

There is light at the end of the tunnel. What you described is very

similar to what we experienced with our son. He was on Luvox for

several months and was violent and it frightened us so much. He also

couldn't attend school. We attributed it to the OCD which was new

(Dec.2002), and felt helpless...... 'where did our son go?' We weaned

him off of it because it wasn't helping and we changed psychiatrists

(also after a long wait). The new one told us many SSRIs cause violent

behavior and depression, suicidal thoughts.

He was put on Prozac and I can't tell you how amazing it is!! It is

like a miracle. He is now also able to participate in CBT which he

refused before. The doctor had boosted him quite quickly to 40 mg. and

that is where he stands right now. He is 13. (I just pray now that it

continues.)

Good luck with your new doctor. May he get the help he needs and

deserves!

Take care,

Lainey

wrote:

" I have looked into a

few hospitals but they aren't the best around here and the last one

we almost put him in was laying the blame on parenting skills.Like I

said before the violence has been building over this past year and

the past two months have been just awful.He curses,hits,punches and

throws things until you have to get on top of him to restrain him.I

still think it could have something to do with the Luvox so I have

decided to slowly cut it back.I am afraid to just stop it because I

read that could lead to some complications.I do not understand why

the doctor has never tried something else instead of the luvox. "

[Guest guest]

,

I am so sorry for you and your son, going through this terrible

time. Others have responded with support for your decision to find

another pdoc and slowly move your son off the Luvox. I agree that

if you have seen such esculation in his violence, and the doctor is

not addressing your concerns with valid, informed explanations, then

you should pat yourself on the back for doing what you feel is right

to help your son take back his life.

I too have been going through a difficult time with my daughter

lately. However, I have been surprised how quickly my concerns

that " she will never get better " and that " she keeps spirling

downward " have changed. As parents we feel our children's grief,

pain, and problems so profoundly that it affects everything we do

and our own feelings of hopelessness. But I feel better knowing I

have a new " plan " for her, and that has also reduced " my " anxiety.

Hopefully, you will soon feel comfort in the changes you have

decided to make, even if the results for your son take some time.

You are a blessing to him, because you are in his corner, trying to

map out what is best for him. Good luck!!!

Kellie - MO

> Hello,

> Things have gone from bad to worse.My son is so out of control