Re: Prozac Qs, 5-htp Q, Inositol Q

[Guest guest]

My daughter was diagnosed with OCD at 5.5 and started Prozac slowly with 10

mg. Within six months she was up to 40 mg with relief. She is now 10 and

has been taking 60 mg of Prozac for 2 years. We will switch to Anafil

(mispelled) which was originally for OCD but helps with attention, as she has

been

diagnosed with ADHD. Prozac gave her relief and helped with

depression/anxiety. in Houston

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm sure there are several adult sufferers, of OCD or other, who have

been on Prozac for extended periods and it's still working. I think

here in the group it can be a matter of dosages for kids, meds

pooping out at some point, kids still growing, puberty, etc.

I always think of one adult I know of who has been on Prozac several

years for OCD and says she'll stay on it forever. So apparently she

has found what works for her and has continued to work.

So your son hasn't been on any SSRI meds yet for OCD? That can be

the hard part. Finding the medication/SSRI that works for " you " (or

in your case, your son).

We used inositol for several years. Last August we quit the inositol

and began Celexa, my son's first prescription med. I, too, worried

about all the possible side effects, what if it wasn't " the " one,

etc. Luckily Celexa worked for my son although one side effect is a

daily nap now in the late afternoon. My son (now 15) still can't

swallow pills so I was looking for a liquid SSRI. I was going to

begin with Prozac (my choice) but decided to ask to try Celexa

first. Now, I was very lucky to have a cooperative psych who didn't

mind " my " suggesting the medication to try first. Not all doctors

are like that.

I also went thru the " is the inositol/med helping or is his OCD just

waning on its own... " questions. I think both the inositol and

Celexa have actually worked for us. The inositol I know did, my son

could tell a difference. I felt it was pooping out after 3 yrs; I

could have increased the dosage but I always had wondered would a

prescription med give him more relief. I think he just might have

got a " tad " more help with Celexa. But there I go again - was it the

Celexa or would things have improved....? I choose to think Celexa.

With 5-HTP - that actually activated my son!! So we quit that. I do

think I read that you need to stop taking that for a week or so after

taking it for so long.... Did you come across that? I recall

thinking that I hoped I would remember to give him a " 5-HTP break "

after so many weeks....hmmm.... I also wondered if it was too much

for him, as he had been taking the inositol. But, there again, it's

like with any " medication " be it prescribed or alternative: all

people are affected in their own way.

So - don't know if I helped. We tried inositol first, had success,

used it throughout middle school. Then last August he began taking

Celexa alone. I do plan to eventually wean him off Celexa and back

onto inositol. For some reason, not anything particular, I just want

him to stay on the prescribed med at least 2 years before weaning him

off. Still - for us, neither the inositol or the Celexa has made

OCD " go away. " He's done really well on both, but when asked will

say that OCD is " always there. "

So - have I totally confused you?? Welcome to the group!!

single mom, 3 sons

, 15, with OCD, dysgraphia and HFA/Aspergers

> Hi,

>

> Just found this group and wish I'd known you were here a long time

> ago.

>

> My son is eleven and has ocd. I've read everything I can find on

> SSRI's, read the recent FDA warnings and their requests for all the

> hidden studies, and heard the good reports on prozac from the

> psychiatrist and psychologist. Is there anyone out there whose

child

[Guest guest]

Hi,

When my son's OCD was at it's worst, over two years ago now, we were

desperately trying to locate a qualified psychologist to no avail.

Due to my work at the time with children with autism spectrum

disorders and seeing firsthand the benefits of dietary and biomedical

interventions, I began to explore these for my son as well. We

started 5-HTP (make sure it is ONLY 5-HTP-we use Natrol's brand, as

many others contain valerian root and other things that can cause

side effects), and within a few days, my son, 8 at the time, slept

through the night for the first time in his life! That was enough to

continue it's use right there. We were also exploring the role

thimerosal and other heavy metals played in my son's disorder and had

him tested for heavy metals. He came back off the charts with

mercury, aluminum and arsenic. I was uncomfortable with heavy duty

chelating agents so I did my research and decided upon spirulina and

chlorella and added flaxseed oil to the mix. Long story short, after

a few months we saw significant decrease in my son's OC behaviors, by

9 months I would say his OCD was subclinical so I ordered another

test and found that he was NO LONGER TOXIC in those heavy metals!

Now, I initially didn't truly believe the reports of the thimerosal

(mercury) in vaccines causing neuropsychological disorders but I am a

believer now even though this is an intensely debated issue.

Currently, my son has been relatively OCD-free for two years and

remains on a daily regimen of 5-HTP, flaxseed oil mixed in a drink

with spirulina and chlorella. We also do not drink tap water and

have a distiller for our drinking water.

in MA

> Hi,

>

> Just found this group and wish I'd known you were here a long time

> ago.

>

> My son is eleven and has ocd. I've read everything I can find on

> SSRI's, read the recent FDA warnings and their requests for all the

> hidden studies, and heard the good reports on prozac from the

> psychiatrist and psychologist. Is there anyone out there whose

child

> has been on Prozac alone for an extended period of time? It seems

> nearly impossible to find anyone who can show me extended success

> with it of a few years or more. Typically, the child seems to get

> bumped around to other things eventually, or other meds are added

to

> the Prozac or the dose gets higher and higher until the child is

> taken off it. So how do you really know it's the Prozac that is

> helping? With the waxing and waning of OCD anyway, I need parent

> reports of success with Prozac over a very extended amount of time.

> The psychiatrist and psychologist are pushing us to use meds, but

it

> is hard to ignore all the recent negative press about the studies

or

> lack thereof.

>

> We started 5-htp on Friday and increased Inositol and have seen an

> improvement in the ocd. Not sure yet if it will last or if it is

> coincidence. What is the longest anyone has been on 5-htp and/or

> Inositol with success and without other ocd meds?

>

> k

[Guest guest]

, What dosage amts are you using for your son's regimen?

Thanks,

cristey

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 12:39:50 -0000 " lmb558 " writes:

> Currently, my son has been relatively OCD-free for two years and

> remains on a daily regimen of 5-HTP, flaxseed oil mixed in a drink

> with spirulina and chlorella. in MA

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[Guest guest]

Hi Cristey,

My son takes only 50mg of 5-HTP each evening. The flaxseed oil is

about a tablespoon and the drink is a mixture made by Knudsen- Simply

Nutritious Mega Green. It's interesting that you asked this as I

have been trying to determine if we need to tweek the dose as it's

been two years and my son weighs more and is moving toward puberty.

I have read that serotonin levels decrease at puberty so I'm not sure

what that may mean for my son. We have also thought to try stopping

the 5-HTP to see what may happen but are hesitant. When my son did

stop the spirulina and chlorella drink for a bit, we saw an increase

of OC behaviors that went away once he was back on it for a few

days. Perhaps he is normally deficient in one of these nutrients and

requires ongoing supplementation. There was a point when we tried

50mg of 5-HTP twice a day but my son said it made him too tired.

in MA

> , What dosage amts are you using for your son's regimen?

> Thanks,

> cristey

[Guest guest]

I would strongly suggest taking your daughter off the 5-HTP as soon as possible.

5-HTP is a naturopathic version of an SSRI. In Canada, you can't even buy that

without seeing a naturopath as it is a controlled substance. The danger is that

she could be getting too much. 5-HTP is basically the precursor to serotonin,

the same neurochemical that SSRIs increase in the brain. So your child is

basically getting a double dose of Prozac.

I am not suggesting that naturopathic treatments aren't as good as allopathic

ones, only that they can interact and if these treatments are not being

supervised by a medical professional, you can end up making things worse instead

of better.

R.

---------------------------------

Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals

[Guest guest]

> Can you please tell me what 5-htp and Inositol is?

>

> Thanks,

> Michele from Ohio, Mommy of Trenton 6 with BP, PDD, ODD, OCD, ADD,

SID, Dyspraxia, and seizure disorder

> Meds: 1200 Lithium, 5 mg. Abilify, 3 mgs. Risperdal, .20 mg.

Clonidine, Synthroid

> First Grade on IEP with one on one aide

> Other children: Chucky 16, 14, le 12 and is 5

> Husband is

Inositol is a nutrient usually considered part of the vitamin-B

complex and may be helpful with depression and anxiety. 5-htp (L-5-

Hydroxytryptophan) is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant

and may increase serotonin levels in the brain. Both are supplements.

[Guest guest]

,

I'm interested in your approach but am wondering what made you decide to use the

Spirulina. The reason why I ask is that whenever I use it in a drink, it seems

to hype me up and I don't want my already hyper son with OCD to become more

hyper from it. I found a drink today with chlorella and greens (wheat grass and

barley grass in it) and am trying this since our health food store didn't sell

Knudsen brand. I'll have to search for your suggestion at other health food

stores in town or online. Thanks in advance.

Re: Prozac Qs, 5-htp Q, Inositol Q

Hi,

When my son's OCD was at it's worst, over two years ago now, we were

desperately trying to locate a qualified psychologist to no avail.

Due to my work at the time with children with autism spectrum

disorders and seeing firsthand the benefits of dietary and biomedical

interventions, I began to explore these for my son as well. We

started 5-HTP (make sure it is ONLY 5-HTP-we use Natrol's brand, as

many others contain valerian root and other things that can cause

side effects), and within a few days, my son, 8 at the time, slept

through the night for the first time in his life! That was enough to

continue it's use right there. We were also exploring the role

thimerosal and other heavy metals played in my son's disorder and had

him tested for heavy metals. He came back off the charts with

mercury, aluminum and arsenic. I was uncomfortable with heavy duty

chelating agents so I did my research and decided upon spirulina and

chlorella and added flaxseed oil to the mix. Long story short, after

a few months we saw significant decrease in my son's OC behaviors, by

9 months I would say his OCD was subclinical so I ordered another

test and found that he was NO LONGER TOXIC in those heavy metals!

Now, I initially didn't truly believe the reports of the thimerosal

(mercury) in vaccines causing neuropsychological disorders but I am a

believer now even though this is an intensely debated issue.

Currently, my son has been relatively OCD-free for two years and

remains on a daily regimen of 5-HTP, flaxseed oil mixed in a drink

with spirulina and chlorella. We also do not drink tap water and

have a distiller for our drinking water.

in MA

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry I took so long to reply but I've been away for a few days and

am just catching up on my e-mails. To answer your question, we used

spirulina (and chlorella) for its chelation properties. I did not

want to use DMSA, EDTA or DMPS to decrease my son's heavy metal

burden as the side effects were concerning. As a more natural

approach we have been very pleased with the results. I am not sure

why spirulina seems to " hype you up " although it is known to contain

high amounts of GLA which can increase energy levels. If it is an

uncomfortable " hyped-up " perhaps you are experiencing a mild allergic

response to it (some of the grasses can do this as well). As far as

utilizing any of these approaches, every child is different so you

can't go by what others do in all cases. My son typically would not

be considered " hyper " in any way even when he is at the height of

anxiety. The only times my son was " hyper " was when he tried inositol

(quite activating for him) or drank anything with red or blue food

dye (purple Kool-aid put him over the edge!). As you know, just like

with medications, natural approaches can involve a lot of trial and

error. We were fortunate to be able to receive education, testing

(blood tests, allergy testing, urinalysis, etc), and guidance from a

number of highly qualified medical professionals (both " mainstream "

and " complementary " ) in our efforts to help my son. Take care.

in MA

> ,

> I'm interested in your approach but am wondering what made you

decide to use the Spirulina. The reason why I ask is that whenever I

use it in a drink, it seems to hype me up and I don't want my already

hyper son with OCD to become more hyper from it. I found a drink

today with chlorella and greens (wheat grass and barley grass in it)

and am trying this since our health food store didn't sell Knudsen

brand. I'll have to search for your suggestion at other health food

stores in town or online. Thanks in advance.

>