medications

[Guest guest]

I thought long and hard before giving my child medications and read everything I could find about each medication before giving it. I even sought second opinions from another doctor to make sure that there was a consensus of opinion. but when it came to the fact that my child was no longer functioning in school, and our family was breaking up under the pressure of coping with such a child, then medication seemed like a good option. My child still displays lots of his ADHD tendencies whilst on meds, and none of it is prescribed for his AS, but he is manageable and has a quality of life that was missing pre medication. I don't regret holding off and learning about the meds before giving it to him, because I can safely say in my heart that I tried other things and that they didn't work. I am confident that I am doing what I believe is right for my son and that is all any of us can do.Sheelagh RE: medicationsMissy, I think you are right. Of course when he is 6'4" and raging I may have a totally different outlook on medication But at 5 and barely over 40 pounds I can still handle him .. grrrr!!!

[Guest guest]

Debi,

Thats great that you have been able to find meds that work for you son. I know my friend has been struggling to find a medication that works well for her son. Its been a nightmare for her..

I hope that you would go to someone you trust to find the right medication and be informed about side effects about your son. That is so important. I, through personal experience, have found that doctors are only human and still the most trusted can make mistakes. I always, research anything myself before giving it to my son (even allergy medication, lol).

I agree that everyone needs to decide what is right for them

[Guest guest]

Sheelagh,

At least you made an informed decision. I have met so many parents ,who just because the school insists on it, give their children meds and DONT even know whats causing the problems. Ive met one parent whose child at 2 was on meds for him crying at daycare!!!! Sorry, but that is sad, again in my opinion!!!!

If my sons behaviors continue the way they are, for sure he will have to be put on meds. There is no quesiton in my mind. My family consists of 6'4" men and im only 5'9", there is NO WAY I could restrain a person that large!!!! I can barely do it now he is so strong during his episodes... sigh...

I only hope that all this non-medical intervention we are trying will help him...

[Guest guest]

Oh I quite agree with you. I believe in making an informed decision and I never quite understand why people blindly believe what a doctor, teacher or who ever tells them. I even rang the drug company and spoke to one of their technical support people about the side effects as I was very concerned that my son was not yet 6, and the safety guidelines say Ritalin is not tested on children under 6. I would never have medicated my child at 2, at that stage I could still physically pick him up to remove him from danger, lock things away etc. But when he broke my nose and my daughter physically flinched every time he came into a room, we knew that there was a choice to be made. Now we live as a reasonably happy family - he still has his problems, but at least we are safe. When I am asked by another parent whether medication is right for their child, I point them in the direction of the reports both for and against, and I tell them that only they can make that choice, and if someone asked me if it was right for their 2 year old I would tell them to come back in 5 years and ask me when he was old enough to be needing it.Sheelagh RE: medicationsSheelagh, At least you made an informed decision. I have met so many parents ,who just because the school insists on it, give their children meds and DONT even know whats causing the problems. Ive met one parent whose child at 2 was on meds for him crying at daycare!!!! Sorry, but that is sad, again in my opinion!!!! If my sons behaviors continue the way they are, for sure he will have to be put on meds. There is no quesiton in my mind. My family consists of 6'4" men and im only 5'9", there is NO WAY I could restrain a person that large!!!! I can barely do it now he is so strong during his episodes... sigh... I only hope that all this non-medical intervention we are trying will help him...

[Guest guest]

Hi Katy,

>>Hi everyone, things are really hotting up on this list !!!!! I just wanted

to add my own little comment about medication, I can not and will not offer

an opinion as I feel it would be insulting of me to do this as I know bugger

all about the subject !! But as some of you know I mail from the UK and I

have never been offered any meds for my son and neither has any of my

friends, all our children are on different ends of the spectrum but

medication is simply not on offer, I was wondering if any other brits mail

to this list who have been offered medication, living in different parts of

the country, it is usual to be offered different forms of help and also a

question to everyone whos children or themselves are on meds, what, on

average is it for, help with sleeping ? anxiety ? I'm very interested,<<

I think a lot is to do with the different medical system we have here in the

UK, as much as anything. There are people here whose children are using such

things as Ritalin because they have an additional dx of ADHD (actually this

often seems to come first, maybe because the symptoms are more obvious, and

it is only later that the autism is picked up); and obviously if there are

such things as epilepsy, then medication will be used.

Also, if there is evidence for OCD, then medication may be offered, as well

as cognitive behaviour therapy (although you have to be careful with that to

make sure it is offered in an autism friendly way). Adults can be given

things for depression, but many say it makes no difference, or can even make

it worse.

I wonder whether you are on any of the lists specifically for the UK? Not

many people on those lists have their children on medication, but quite a

few have tried alternative therapies such as cranial osteopathy. You might

like to try autism-uk and/or aspergers-uk (depending on where your child is

on the spectrum).

I have never been offered medication for my son, and personally I wouldn't

want it. The AS is an integral part of who he is, and I prefer to find out

what is stressing him and sort out the situation, which is the cause, rather

than treating the symptom.

in England

[Guest guest]

hamtorohamham wrote:

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> Here's my two cents.

(snipped for length)

> The only drug that ever cured anything was an antibiotic and look

> what was done to that.

(snip again!)

Gee, I'll try and keep that in mind in a couple of years when I take the

med that will cure the disease that is now trying to kill me.

I realize that you must have been very upset when you wrote your post,

and that you must have had a bad experience with medications. And

that's a shame. But blanket statements like the one about antibiotics

just don't hold water. And they do cause more than a little dissention.

You are, of course, entitled to your own opinion. But it would go down

easier if it were not stated in such an angry manner.

Just sayin'......

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

" Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps. "

Emo Philips

[Guest guest]

resend

RE: medications

Missy,

I think you are right.

Of course when he is 6'4" and raging I may have a totally different outlook on medication But at 5 and barely over 40 pounds I can still handle him .. grrrr!!!

[Guest guest]

resend

RE: medications

Mhev,

I myself am bipolar and have found alternative ways of dealing with my ups and downs. While it hasnt gotten rid of my problems they have decressed and I can live with them.

FELLOW LIST MEMBERS IM NOT SAYING IF YOU GIVE YOUR CHILD MEDICATION YOU ARE BAD PARENTS. THESE ARE MY FEELINGS AND WHY I DONT MEDICATE MY CHILD. PLEASE DONT START AN ARGUMENT ABOUT WHAT IM ABOUT TO SAY. AGAIN THIS IS WHAT WORKS FOR MY FAMILY AND IM NOT BASHING ANY OF YOU. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY HAVE DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND THOSE ISSUES ARE NOT BEING CONTROLLED BY NON-MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS. OK?

Im deathly afraid of giving my child (aspergers) medication because so much of it has not been tested on these children. Most doctors will say there are not very many side effects of these meds. Like Clondine, its for adults to help with high blood pressure but parents and doctors give this to children all the time and dont even monitor what effects this medication has had on their childs blood pressure. How about Ritalin, recent studies show this med is stronger than COCAINE!!!! We know what effects cocaine have on peoples brains and bodies yet we havent tested this drug for long term effects on children..deductive reasoning tells me that since these two drugs are similar that the same side effects can be seen 5-10-20 years down the road. Then what will happen with these children are walking around partially brain dead , having ulcers, and other problems???

Also, why would I trust the same drug companies that intially could have hurt my child with mercury doses? My sons "autistic" features started showing up exactly 3 days after a round of shots. 3 DAYS!!!! I KNOW this had a huge part to play in my sons life and it really pisses me off that these companies that produce medication to help save lives could possibly hurt so many children and lie to families!!!! So I DONT trust anything that comes out of their money hungary little mouths.

Drug companies SPEND MORE ON ADVERTISTING THAN THEY DO ON RESEARCH. What does that say.. money money money..all they want is money!!!

As far as you refering to the antacids..yes you are correct that diet can cause problems I also would like to add stress to that list of the cause of acid reflux.

-----Original Message-----From: mhev Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:31 AMTo: autism-aspergers Subject: Re: medications

There are a handful of conditions that drugs are effective with: diabetes, schizophrenia, etc.

This is, however, a list that deals mostly with autism and aspergers and there is no drug cure for these two conditions.

Unfortunately some charlatan doctors who know very little about autism string the children out on drugs and create additional problems which are then erroneously thought to be due to the autism and more drugs are then prescribed to deal with those gruesome side effects.

I was in a large drug store once and measured off the length of shelving for ant-acids: 80 (eighty) meters!!! There is one simple cure for indigestion / reflux that costs nothing: stop eating junk food. Junk food by definition is made from wheat, grease, milk --

Aspergers and autistics should be drug-free so that the root condition can be dealt with.

[Guest guest]

The cause of 99.9% of cases of reflux is wheat & grease eating.

Such a warning is like telling a child that candy will rot his teeth out. The child's logic: "Isn't that what dentists are for?"

Isn't that what Tums/etc is for?

I can sunbathe all I want. When I get old I'll just have my skin pulled tight.

I'll have another helping. I'll go on a diet when I get really too big.

More money is spent on antacids than on autism AND cancer research.

Re: medications

mhev insisted:> There are a handful of conditions that drugs are effective with: diabetes, schizophrenia, > etc. > > This is, however, a list that deals mostly with autism and aspergers and there is no > drug cure for these two conditions. > Unfortunately some charlatan doctors who know very little about autism string the > children out on drugs and create additional problems which are then> erroneously thought to be due to the autism and more drugs are then prescribed to deal with > those gruesome side effects.> > I was in a large drug store once and measured off the length of shelving for ant-acids: > 80 (eighty) meters!!! There is one simple cure for indigestion /> reflux that costs nothing: stop eating junk food. Junk food by definition is made from > wheat, grease, milk -- > > Aspergers and autistics should be drug-free so that the root condition can be dealt > with.There are more than a handful of conditions for which drugs areeffective. Let me add to your short list: cancer, MS, MD, HCV,tuberculosis, anxiety, bi-polarism, asthma, polio....shall I go on?The dr. my son sees is a specialist in autism, having studied it andtreated autistic clients for a while now. Our son was drug free formuch of his life; he was even the product of a drug-free pregnancy anddelivery. We did not get meds for him until he came up with problemsthat no amount of therapy was touching; and we tried therapy for severalyears. We talked to his dr., we and his doc did a lot of research, andwe came up with a meds regimen that keeps him stable and does not keephim drugged. We started with one med when he was about 10. The otherswere added in his late teens. He went from being an unhappy person whocould not control his rage, anxiety, and depression to a happy personwho can. Now he is a happy and successful person in supported living(and looking to independent living) with a wealth of activities andfriends. He loves us, and we love him. Oh, and were he drug-free, noone would be able to deal with his "root condition." We've been there. We know.BTW, I have reflux; it comes with my HCV. And I am also on a veryrestricted diet, due to the HCV. We tried dietary intervention forreflux and got nowhere. So now I take Prevacid and I can actually holddown my food and not have a flame in my chest most of the day. It isn't wise to prescribe and recommend for people without a medicaldegree, you know. Meds are necessary for some of us to maintain aquality of life that is not awful. If you can get along without them,then good for you and I wish you well. But don't expand your experienceto everyone. It doesn't work. If nothing else, you must admit thatautistic people are atypical. Even from one another. Just like us. Sowhat is good and workable for you is not automatically good and workablefor others.My .02 of course.Annie, who loves ya annie@...-- "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps."Emo Philips

[Guest guest]

If you insist -- 99.8999% of reflux cases is caused by wheat and grease. Anybody who claims otherwise is a big, fat, wheat and grease eater.

Re: medications

Doctors need to drug kids to keep a hook in the parents' pocketbook.*********************************Whatever !! That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. If itwasn't for my dd's meds,the only person that would have a "hook in mypocketbook",would be the funeral home,,because she was sodepressed,having hallucinations,,and jumping out of her own skin,,thatshe wouldn't have survived another year !Kim,mom to Meaghan 13,,,Katelyn 11 Bipolar,OCD,,,Logan 5Aspergers,JRA, & some kind of connective tissue disorder, & last,but notleast,,Ethan 4 & 100% BOY________________________________________________________________The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

[Guest guest]

OCD gets better with a wheat-free milk-free diet. And worse when you eat it.

Stay wheat/milk free at least a year to start getting the solid behavioral changes that occur once you are no longer poisoning yourself with the wheat. Most people have a hard adjustment time the first 6 weeks or so when they go wheat free.

The more difficult the wheat withdrawal, the proof of how bad the addiction was.

Re: medications

mhev insisted:> There are a handful of conditions that drugs are effective with: diabetes, schizophrenia, > etc. > > This is, however, a list that deals mostly with autism and aspergers and there is no > drug cure for these two conditions. > Unfortunately some charlatan doctors who know very little about autism string the > children out on drugs and create additional problems which are then> erroneously thought to be due to the autism and more drugs are then prescribed to deal with > those gruesome side effects.> > I was in a large drug store once and measured off the length of shelving for ant-acids: > 80 (eighty) meters!!! There is one simple cure for indigestion /> reflux that costs nothing: stop eating junk food. Junk food by definition is made from > wheat, grease, milk -- > > Aspergers and autistics should be drug-free so that the root condition can be dealt > with.There are more than a handful of conditions for which drugs areeffective. Let me add to your short list: cancer, MS, MD, HCV,tuberculosis, anxiety, bi-polarism, asthma, polio....shall I go on?The dr. my son sees is a specialist in autism, having studied it andtreated autistic clients for a while now. Our son was drug free formuch of his life; he was even the product of a drug-free pregnancy anddelivery. We did not get meds for him until he came up with problemsthat no amount of therapy was touching; and we tried therapy for severalyears. We talked to his dr., we and his doc did a lot of research, andwe came up with a meds regimen that keeps him stable and does not keephim drugged. We started with one med when he was about 10. The otherswere added in his late teens. He went from being an unhappy person whocould not control his rage, anxiety, and depression to a happy personwho can. Now he is a happy and successful person in supported living(and looking to independent living) with a wealth of activities andfriends. He loves us, and we love him. Oh, and were he drug-free, noone would be able to deal with his "root condition." We've been there. We know.BTW, I have reflux; it comes with my HCV. And I am also on a veryrestricted diet, due to the HCV. We tried dietary intervention forreflux and got nowhere. So now I take Prevacid and I can actually holddown my food and not have a flame in my chest most of the day. It isn't wise to prescribe and recommend for people without a medicaldegree, you know. Meds are necessary for some of us to maintain aquality of life that is not awful. If you can get along without them,then good for you and I wish you well. But don't expand your experienceto everyone. It doesn't work. If nothing else, you must admit thatautistic people are atypical. Even from one another. Just like us. Sowhat is good and workable for you is not automatically good and workablefor others.My .02 of course.Annie, who loves ya annie@...-- "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps."Emo Philips

[Guest guest]

Get a life, Heidi.

By the way, I will be attaching you nose to a future message as soon as I can dislodge it from where the sun don't shine.

Re: medications

Doctors need to drug kids to keep a hook in the parents' pocketbook.*********************************Whatever !! That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. If itwasn't for my dd's meds,the only person that would have a "hook in mypocketbook",would be the funeral home,,because she was sodepressed,having hallucinations,,and jumping out of her own skin,,thatshe wouldn't have survived another year !Kim,mom to Meaghan 13,,,Katelyn 11 Bipolar,OCD,,,Logan 5Aspergers,JRA, & some kind of connective tissue disorder, & last,but notleast,,Ethan 4 & 100% BOY________________________________________________________________The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

[Guest guest]

The comments are coming from a human brain, Heidi. Find out what one is. Hint: NOT in a phone book, NOT on a map.

RE: medications

Ive actually enjoyed some of the comments as it has fostered a good conversation among the other group members about issues.

I think everyone is contributing in some fashion even if we all dont agree with it.

I also think everyone is entitled to their own opinions about all of these issues, mhev is not the only one sporting these opinions here or in the world.

-----Original Message-----From: Heidi French Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 4:18 PMTo: autism-aspergers Subject: Re: medications

Are you enjoying yourself? Life is so short and full of so many unexpected surprises. If you feel you have something to contribute,

try to do so. If not, use your intelligence on something else that is more constructive. If you actually have one of these illnesses, you

can do so much for all these children. If you don't, find another hobby.