Re: Medication

July 9, 2010

Does the 75 seem to be helping? My daughter is on 50 and doing well.

We give it in the a.m. It was very activating at first but leveled out

a bit. We use benadryl or melatonin for sleep.

Sent from my iPhone

> Ok, I just came from the dr. and he said that he did not really want

> to raise the 75 mg of zoloft. I was also wondering what time of day

> you give your children the medicine? I give it to my daughter at

> bedtime. She is having trouble getting to sleep. I am going to

> switch it to mornings. He said he will raise the dose, but he does

> not want to. What do you think about this?

>

July 9, 2010

My daughters doctor does blood tests to determine the blood level of drug in her

system to know whether the dose has reached a therapeutic level or not.Â If not

she raises the dose.Â

But my daughtrer also had trouble with sleep on zoloft and she took it in the

mornings the whole time she was on it.Â No problem and no need for addiitonal

sleeping meds.

M

Subject: Medication

To:

Date: Friday, July 9, 2010, 6:46 PM

Â

Ok, I just came from the dr. and he said that he did not really want to raise

the 75 mg of zoloft. I was also wondering what time of day you give your

children the medicine? I give it to my daughter at bedtime. She is having

trouble getting to sleep. I am going to switch it to mornings. He said he will

raise the dose, but he does not want to. What do you think about this?

July 9, 2010

Is this doctor a psychiatrist? Much higher dosages are typically used for

pediatric OCD. If he is a pediatrician, he may not be familiar with the dosages

used in OCD and that may be the problem. My dd takes Zoloft in the morning and

has not had trouble with it.

(mom w/OCD, 10 yo dd w/OCD)

>

> Subject: Medication

> To:

> Date: Friday, July 9, 2010, 6:46 PM

> Ok, I just came from the dr. and he

> said that he did not really want to raise the 75 mg of

> zoloft. I was also wondering what time of day you give

> your children the medicine? I give it to my daughter

> at bedtime. She is having trouble getting to sleep. I

> am going to switch it to mornings. He said he will

> raise the dose, but he does not want to. What do you think

> about this?

>

> ------------------------------------

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> .

July 9, 2010

tRUE - My daughter was on 200Mg

>

> Subject: Medication

> To:

> Date: Friday, July 9, 2010, 6:46 PM

> Ok, I just came from the dr. and he

> said that he did not really want to raise the 75 mg of

> zoloft.Â I was also wondering what time of day you give

> your children the medicine?Â I give it to my daughter

> at bedtime. She is having trouble getting to sleep.Â I

> am going to switch it to mornings.Â He said he will

> raise the dose, but he does not want to. What do you think

> about this?Â

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> Our list archives feature may be accessed at:Â

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//

> by scrolling down to the archives calendar .Â Our links

> may be accessed at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//links

> .Â Our files may be accessed at

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group//files

> .

> Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D.(http://www.ocdawareness.com ),

Tamar Chansky, Ph.D.( http://www.worrywisekids.org ), and Dan Geller, M.D. (

> http://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?ID=18068

> ). You may ask a question of any of these mental health

> professionals by inserting the words " Ask Dr.(insert name) "

> in the subject line of a post to the list.Â Our list

> moderators are Castle, Judy Chabot, BJ Closner, and

> Barb Nesrallah.Â You may contact the moderators at

-owner

> .Â OCDKidsLoop membership may be accessed at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdkidsloop/

> .Â Our group and related groups are listed at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdsupportgroups/links

> .Â IOCDF treatment providers list may be viewed at

http://www.ocfoundation.info/treatment-providers-list.php

> .

> NLM-NIH Drug Information Portal may be viewed at

>

http://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/drugportal.jsp?APPLICATION_NAME=drugporta\

l

> .Â IOCDF recommended reading list may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.org/Books.aspx .Â IOCDF

> glossary of terms may be accessed at http://www.ocfoundation.org/glossary.aspx

> .Â IOCDF membership link may be accessed at

http://www.ocfoundation.net/membership/ . Drugs.com

> pill identification wizard may be accessed at

http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php .Â Mayo Clinic

> Drug and Herb Index may be accessed at

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DrugHerbIndex

> .

September 1, 2010

Hi Steffanie,

Yes, this is a common effect with ssris. But it can also be just part of

dealing with OCD. The combination, and if I can say it, a boy (I have one too!)

can just amp everything up. It is also often an indicator that the medication

is having an impact and that it will impact the OCD.

Since it is only a week, give it time to settle down. Usually it does within

three weeks or so, usu gradually. The brain/body needs to adjust to the med.

During the start of medication and any dose changes I notice more reactivity,

and it usually subsides. If it does not, or if it keeps getting worse, then you

may want to consider another med.

You will know clearly if bipolar symptoms are being triggered, it becomes pretty

extreme pretty fast, it did with ours. You will literally feel like this is no

longer your kid. At least that was our experience of it.

It's hard to not know anything for sure and to be watching and wondering, but

this is the nature of medication trials. Focus on postive improvement while

being mindful of any negative aspects. It is always a balance of these two and

there is rarely an ideal, unfortunately.

The other thing to consider is how slow can you go with the dose. Often kids

are very sensitive to these medications and if you can go very slowly with

dosing they can adapt better and it is less bumpy. Not sure what dose you are

at and if there is room to go lower?

Warmly,

Barb

>

> Hi Everyone. My son has been on Zoloft for a week. My husband just mentioned

today that he thinks Liam is more aggressive and defiant since starting the

medication. I have noticed him be crabbier at times, but he's so up and down

normally that I didn't think anything of it. I'm sure I've heard you say on

here that antidepressants can do this. This is so very discouraging. I have

had such high hopes that we could get him medicated and feeling better. I pray

that the medication is not affecting him adversely. My mom has bipolar, so I've

thought off and on that maybe he could have some of that going on. Advice,

suggestions, input? Thanks so much.

>

> Steffanie

>

September 1, 2010

Okay, thank you Barb. I did phone the nurse and left a message. He's on 25 mg.

Maybe the doc will keep him on 25 mg a little longer. He was going to go to 50

mg next week. I'm copying my husband on this. Thanks a bunch!

Steffanie

To:

From: barbnesrallah@...

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:41:49 +0000

Subject: Re: Medication

Hi Steffanie,

Yes, this is a common effect with ssris. But it can also be just part of dealing

with OCD. The combination, and if I can say it, a boy (I have one too!) can just

amp everything up. It is also often an indicator that the medication is having

an impact and that it will impact the OCD.

Since it is only a week, give it time to settle down. Usually it does within

three weeks or so, usu gradually. The brain/body needs to adjust to the med.

During the start of medication and any dose changes I notice more reactivity,

and it usually subsides. If it does not, or if it keeps getting worse, then you

may want to consider another med.

You will know clearly if bipolar symptoms are being triggered, it becomes pretty

extreme pretty fast, it did with ours. You will literally feel like this is no

longer your kid. At least that was our experience of it.

It's hard to not know anything for sure and to be watching and wondering, but

this is the nature of medication trials. Focus on postive improvement while

being mindful of any negative aspects. It is always a balance of these two and

there is rarely an ideal, unfortunately.

The other thing to consider is how slow can you go with the dose. Often kids are

very sensitive to these medications and if you can go very slowly with dosing

they can adapt better and it is less bumpy. Not sure what dose you are at and if

there is room to go lower?

Warmly,

Barb

September 1, 2010

Â Hi Steffanie,Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â As a mom of a son with OCD, I have gone down

the same

path you are experiencing now with SSRI's

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â When my son was first

diagnosed at 13 yrs. he too

went on zoloft, and he did respond by being more agitated and

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â agressive.Â Then

we switched to anafranil forÂ 8

years and then to prozac for the last 2 years.Â Â The doctor would then

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â prescribe mood

disorder drug as a solution to the

agression as well as antipsychotics.Â Â Finally we took him OFF the SSRI

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â and he is no longer

moody, no ups and downs with

his emotions and not agressive and makes an effort to let go .Â Â I felt the

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SSRI heightened his

emotions no matter what the

subject or circumstance.Â It definitely skewed his perceptions.

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The increase in the

dosage did not make a

difference either no matter how high, it was theÂ SSRI itself that did not work

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â for my

son.Â Â Â Â Â

________________________________

To: OCD Group < >

Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 9:14:59 AM

Subject: Medication

Â

Hi Everyone. My son has been on Zoloft for a week. My husband just mentioned

today that he thinks Liam is more aggressive and defiant since starting the

medication. I have noticed him be crabbier at times, but he's so up and down

normally that I didn't think anything of it. I'm sure I've heard you say on here

that antidepressants can do this. This is so very discouraging. I have had such

high hopes that we could get him medicated and feeling better. I pray that the

medication is not affecting him adversely. My mom has bipolar, so I've thought

off and on that maybe he could have some of that going on. Advice, suggestions,

input? Thanks so much.

Steffanie

September 1, 2010

Hi ,

Just curious if your son is on any medication at all now, and how he is doing

now. Wondering that he was on these medications for over 10 years, is that

right? Are you saying he was aggressive and unstable during all of this time,

and nothing worked well. Just wanting to be clear.

We also had big difficulties with ssri's well with any medication. Our son is

able to tolerate a low dose ssri(celexa) quite well now, and it takes the edge

off at least.

Hope things ARE somewhat better with your son now...

Barb

>

> Â Hi Steffanie,Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â As a mom of a son with OCD, I have gone down

the same

> path you are experiencing now with SSRI's

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â When my son was

first diagnosed at 13 yrs. he too

> went on zoloft, and he did respond by being more agitated and

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â agressive.Â Then

we switched to anafranil forÂ 8

> years and then to prozac for the last 2 years.Â Â The doctor would then

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â prescribe mood

disorder drug as a solution to the

> agression as well as antipsychotics.Â Â Finally we took him OFF the SSRI

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â and he is no

longer moody, no ups and downs with

> his emotions and not agressive and makes an effort to let go .Â Â I felt the

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SSRI heightened

his emotions no matter what the

> subject or circumstance.Â It definitely skewed his perceptions.

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The increase in

the dosage did not make a

> difference either no matter how high, it was theÂ SSRI itself that did not

work

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â for my

son.Â Â Â Â Â

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: OCD Group < >

> Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 9:14:59 AM

> Subject: Medication

>

> Â

>

> Hi Everyone. My son has been on Zoloft for a week. My husband just mentioned

> today that he thinks Liam is more aggressive and defiant since starting the

> medication. I have noticed him be crabbier at times, but he's so up and down

> normally that I didn't think anything of it. I'm sure I've heard you say on

here

> that antidepressants can do this. This is so very discouraging. I have had

such

> high hopes that we could get him medicated and feeling better. I pray that the

> medication is not affecting him adversely. My mom has bipolar, so I've thought

> off and on that maybe he could have some of that going on. Advice,

suggestions,

> input? Thanks so much.

>

> Steffanie

>

September 2, 2010

Hi again . Well I'm glad if you have found a combination that works well

and keeps your son calm. Barb

>

> Hi Barb,Â My son was given seroquel only with inderol (blood pressure

> medication) for anxiety.Â Â He is calm but the reason before with use of SSRI

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â was for motivation and help keep him focused.Â

But its use

> contributed to the agression and up/down mood swings that for now are not

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â there.Â Â Â He does struggle with keeping

focused in daily

> hygiene.Â Â Thanks for your thoughts.Â Â Â

>

> ________________________________

>

> To:

> Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 2:07:16 PM

> Subject: Re: Medication

>

> Â

> Hi ,

>

> Just curious if your son is on any medication at all now, and how he is doing

> now. Wondering that he was on these medications for over 10 years, is that

> right? Are you saying he was aggressive and unstable during all of this time,

> and nothing worked well. Just wanting to be clear.

>

> We also had big difficulties with ssri's well with any medication. Our son is

> able to tolerate a low dose ssri(celexa) quite well now, and it takes the edge

> off at least.

>

> Hope things ARE somewhat better with your son now...

>

> Barb

>

> >

September 2, 2010

It requires watchful waiting. I would not increase the dose for a bit yet and

if he still gets worse, he may not be able to tolerate the drug or he might have

a mood disorder. No short answer. PS don't let anyone tell you that activation

on an SSRI always indicates bipolar it does not though your son has some

increased risk for bipolar due to family history.

Take care,

Bonnie