Re: Roll call for Risperdal!

[Guest guest]

My brother Jeff starting taking Risperdal about a year ago and it has

definately helped, but only after tweaking with the dosage for about

a month. Basically, as others here predicted, it has helped make the

good days better and the bad days not so bad (according to my

parents). Sleep hours are still a bit unconsistant, but most days it

is dark until about 4am, at which time he is placed back in bed.

This process is repeated every half hour until about 6am. Not fun,

but better than 1am scares from pictures being flung from the wall :}

>

> Folks, I wonder if those of you whose kids are taking Risperdal

would

> post and tell me a bit about your experiences with it. During a

nice,

> long (2 hour) visit with a ped psychiatrist (dh is just loving

telling

> everyone that our 7-yr old saw a shrink, lol), the med options of

> Risperdal and Aricept were discussed. I have the prescription for

> Risperdal in hand, but before I fill it, I would really like to know

> how effective it has been for other kids with this dual diagnosis.

The

> behaviors/issues we're seeking to address in are his

disrupted

> sleep, self-injurious and stimming behaviors, and lack of engagement

> with people. The doctor says that the Risperdal should help with

these.

>

> The only other med we've tried, btw, has been Ativan to help him

sleep

> better. It does help him sleep through the night, rather than

starting

> up the Party Room at 3 am, but it also seems to give him the wiggly

> giggles for an hour or two before he falls asleep.

>

> Thanks in advance,

>

> Joni and kids, incl. , 7

>