Re: bad response to increasing SSRI

[Guest guest]

Wonder if the dose was divided if it would help? Also, sometimes two different

meds together work better than one at a high dose. The side effects of each are

generally less and some drugs potentiate each other without toxic effects. For

instance, caffeine and Tylenol taken together work better than just Tylenol even

at a higher dose. In the hospital we give antiemetics with injectable pain meds

for the same reason.

Bonnie

>

> My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

>

> At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> but at least the panic was gone.

>

> What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> to take the meds though.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback.

>

> Pam

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter is on Zoloft, she is 12, I do not know the dose because she is in a

medication study but I am pretty sure it is less than 100mg.

They increased her dose at one point and her whole personality changed...I was

told that she was " activated " and experiencing " mania " and it lasted a week then

she seemed more like herself. The next medication chage the same thing happened

and it lasted about a week also. Recently we decreased her meds and it happened

again. I dont know if you are willing to stick it out for a week but we did and

it worked out for us but everyones situation is different. I think that you have

to give these drugs more than a day but you know in your heart what is best.

[Guest guest]

Lexapro is our OCD med of choice .( 10 years) .My son tried them all and

Lexapro has no side effects and controls his OCD.

Dana -Kennedy

Re: bad response to increasing SSRI

Wonder if the dose was divided if it would help? Also, sometimes two different

meds together work better than one at a high dose. The side effects of each are

generally less and some drugs potentiate each other without toxic effects. For

instance, caffeine and Tylenol taken together work better than just Tylenol even

at a higher dose. In the hospital we give antiemetics with injectable pain meds

for the same reason.

Bonnie

>

> My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

>

> At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> but at least the panic was gone.

>

> What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> to take the meds though.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback.

>

> Pam

>

[Guest guest]

Others have mentioned aggression with meds, when they hit a certain point.

Sometimes changing meds can help. It's very individual and reactions can vary.

What works for one might not work for another.

Before adding an anti psychotic, you might consider trying a different SSRI.

Is Zoloft the only SSRI she has tried?

BJ

>

> My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

>

> At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> but at least the panic was gone.

>

> What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> to take the meds though.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback.

>

> Pam

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, that makes sense to me too. I have read in Dr. Hollander's

books that SSRI's can reduce irritable moods in anxious

kids so I do wish my daughter's pediatric psychiatrist

will offer a different SSRI rather than Abilify.

When she is stressed out she is irritable and then she is

very obsessive. And then stopping her in any way to get her

to go to bed, leads to some aggression toward me.

Pam

> >

> > My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> > evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> > So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> > really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> > stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

> >

> > At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> > It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> > between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> > but at least the panic was gone.

> >

> > What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> > but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> > behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> > any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> > to take the meds though.

> >

> > I would appreciate any feedback.

> >

> > Pam

> >

>

[Guest guest]

thanks Bonnie, that is another idea to try.

Pam

> >

> > My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> > evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> > So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> > really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> > stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

> >

> > At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> > It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> > between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> > but at least the panic was gone.

> >

> > What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> > but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> > behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> > any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> > to take the meds though.

> >

> > I would appreciate any feedback.

> >

> > Pam

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I may divide the dose as Bonnie said and give it a try if the doctor says OK,

next week perhaps. She was also so overstimulated and tried

from a sleepover with her cousin, that I do not know why

I got so sloppy and started this trial this weekend anyway.

She was way to irritable to be able to do anything or go to

school in that state of mind. She was tearing up the place

the entire day and very obsessive worry at night. It would be

hard to keep that up, but perhaps spreading it out and

keeping her calmer and rested would work better as a trial

period.

thanks,

Pam

>

> My daughter is on Zoloft, she is 12, I do not know the dose because she is in

a medication study but I am pretty sure it is less than 100mg.

>

> They increased her dose at one point and her whole personality changed...I was

told that she was " activated " and experiencing " mania " and it lasted a week then

she seemed more like herself. The next medication chage the same thing happened

and it lasted about a week also. Recently we decreased her meds and it happened

again. I dont know if you are willing to stick it out for a week but we did and

it worked out for us but everyones situation is different. I think that you have

to give these drugs more than a day but you know in your heart what is best.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It is so hard to find the right medication. I feel it is

such trial and error.

I had mentioned to Bonnie this DNA test to see if kids

can metablize certain drugs or not that is being offered

at Cincinnati Children's Hospital (in conjuction with Mayo

Clinic).

I suppose if she was a poor metabolizer of a drug clearly

no sense of even trying it.

I hope to find someone that has used this test and how it

helped or didn't.

Pam

> >

> > My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> > evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> > So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> > really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> > stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

> >

> > At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> > It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> > between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> > but at least the panic was gone.

> >

> > What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> > but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> > behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> > any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> > to take the meds though.

> >

> > I would appreciate any feedback.

> >

> > Pam

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI Pam,

My son , age 9, is one of those  kids that has to take an anti-psychotic .He

can't take the SSRI'S and they don't work when he does, but meds like Abilify

does take away his ocd. I don't know why he doesn't respond to the SSRI'S.

It is so unfortuante we have to try all these med combos for our kids to find

what works!

I wish you luck and please let us know what works for your daughter.

Hugs

judy

Subject: bad response to increasing SSRI

To:

Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 10:30 AM

 

My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

but at least the panic was gone.

What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

to take the meds though.

I would appreciate any feedback.

Pam

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much!

Pam

>

>

>

> Subject: bad response to increasing SSRI

> To:

> Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 10:30 AM

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

>

> At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> but at least the panic was gone.

>

> What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> to take the meds though.

>

> I would appreciate any feedback.

>

> Pam

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

As well as Matt is doing, he was a little off the day after the sleepover. He

asked to go to bed early the next night and to sleep in...then he was back to

normal - so was I LOL

Bonnie

> >

> > My daughter is on Zoloft, she is 12, I do not know the dose because she is

in a medication study but I am pretty sure it is less than 100mg.

> >

> > They increased her dose at one point and her whole personality changed...I

was told that she was " activated " and experiencing " mania " and it lasted a week

then she seemed more like herself. The next medication chage the same thing

happened and it lasted about a week also. Recently we decreased her meds and it

happened again. I dont know if you are willing to stick it out for a week but we

did and it worked out for us but everyones situation is different. I think that

you have to give these drugs more than a day but you know in your heart what is

best.

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Our son has the same thing. Begins at anything over 50 mg and gets worse in a

dose related fashon. Tried prozac and he started stealing at 5 mg and got

suicidal at 10 mg. Switched to Zoloft and did fine but not effective aganst ocd

till we hit 100 mg. Went as high as 150 at some points. Basicly we had a couple

years of living with a total functional sociopath. I felt like we traded a kid

who was nonfunctional but at least lovable, for a kid who fought, swore, stole,

lied incessently. Still not sure which was worse. He was eventually well

controlled enough to engage with therapy and we wer able to drop his dose down.

He is now on 25 mg and doing quite well. I guess the optinons are to live with

the agressive behavior( which may reduce as she gets used to it but may not),

switch SSRI, or add something different like Abilify or stick with the lower

dose and do some really hard core CBT/ERP ( which is in the end what really

helped our son)

It is a real trial and error thing- sorry you are going through it

[Guest guest]

" Basicly we had a couple years of living with a total functional sociopath. "

OH you made me laugh and I can so relate - you summed up our experience of it

perfectly with those words!!!

After I got over my fears that it was a permanent change, and the words of a

very unhelpful professional who said " maybe your son has changed " , I was

reconciled to the belief that this was just how it was going to be for a period

of time until we could address the OCD directly.

We were best on low dose ssri too, AND it was the " hard-core " ERP that worked

for our son too.

How is your son doing now? How old is he, and when/what was the turning point

for you? With ours it was 17, when meds were somewhat sorted, and he'd lost 2

years of his life and wanted it back.

Warmly,

Barb

>

> Our son has the same thing. Begins at anything over 50 mg and gets worse in

a dose related fashon. Tried prozac and he started stealing at 5 mg and got

suicidal at 10 mg. Switched to Zoloft and did fine but not effective aganst ocd

till we hit 100 mg. Went as high as 150 at some points. Basicly we had a couple

years of living with a total functional sociopath. I felt like we traded a kid

who was nonfunctional but at least lovable, for a kid who fought, swore, stole,

lied incessently. Still not sure which was worse. He was eventually well

controlled enough to engage with therapy and we wer able to drop his dose down.

He is now on 25 mg and doing quite well. I guess the optinons are to live with

the agressive behavior( which may reduce as she gets used to it but may not),

switch SSRI, or add something different like Abilify or stick with the lower

dose and do some really hard core CBT/ERP ( which is in the end what really

helped our son)

>

> It is a real trial and error thing- sorry you are going through it

>

[Guest guest]

We had the exact same experience with Prozac. Over time I have found that med

changes should occur very slowly and that environmental and therapuetic measures

should complement any med change. It's the only success we ever had.

Bonnie

>

> Our son has the same thing. Begins at anything over 50 mg and gets worse in

a dose related fashon. Tried prozac and he started stealing at 5 mg and got

suicidal at 10 mg. Switched to Zoloft and did fine but not effective aganst ocd

till we hit 100 mg. Went as high as 150 at some points. Basicly we had a couple

years of living with a total functional sociopath. I felt like we traded a kid

who was nonfunctional but at least lovable, for a kid who fought, swore, stole,

lied incessently. Still not sure which was worse. He was eventually well

controlled enough to engage with therapy and we wer able to drop his dose down.

He is now on 25 mg and doing quite well. I guess the optinons are to live with

the agressive behavior( which may reduce as she gets used to it but may not),

switch SSRI, or add something different like Abilify or stick with the lower

dose and do some really hard core CBT/ERP ( which is in the end what really

helped our son)

>

> It is a real trial and error thing- sorry you are going through it

>

[Guest guest]

Glad he bounced right back, Bonnie. )

BJ

> > >

> > > My daughter is on Zoloft, she is 12, I do not know the dose because she is

in a medication study but I am pretty sure it is less than 100mg.

> > >

> > > They increased her dose at one point and her whole personality changed...I

was told that she was " activated " and experiencing " mania " and it lasted a week

then she seemed more like herself. The next medication chage the same thing

happened and it lasted about a week also. Recently we decreased her meds and it

happened again. I dont know if you are willing to stick it out for a week but we

did and it worked out for us but everyones situation is different. I think that

you have to give these drugs more than a day but you know in your heart what is

best.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

" How is your son doing now? How old is he, and when/what was the turning point

for you? With ours it was 17, when meds were somewhat sorted, and he'd lost 2

years of his life and wanted it back. "

Our son is now 14. He was dx at age 3 and was really bad from 3-5 1/2, then

better with therapy only until age 8- then REALLY bad ( cleaning,just right,

touchinbg, tapping, mental rituals, checking, not eating due to poisoning fears,

spitting ( to get food that he had eaten months ago out of mouth), licking

things .....) from 8-11. We started meds at 8 1/2 and he was on high dose with

improved OCD symptoms but sociopathic from about 9 -12 at which point we were

able to drop his dose down below the sociopath threashold( 50 mg for him) and

begin some really hard core therapy over Dr Storch's Scype study at USF. ( we

have no one good in our area). 3 months after the study he did not fit criteria

for OCD, so we weaned off meds altogether. He was off for about 2-3 months, but

OCD thoughts ( not rituals) started creaping back in and he asked to go back on

meds. He is now on zoloft 25 mg a day just to keep the anxiety at bay. I think

it could be better controlled by CBT/ ERP, but he is 14 and is not willing to

put in the work. He seems to have no memory of how bad it can get so he is not

as afraid of it as we are. He has basicly lost completely 5 / 14 years of life

with complete disfunctanality, and 2 years of life being a sociopath and losing

all his friends due to lying ans stealing and agressive behavior. That is over

half of his life so far lost to this disease.

Our psychiatrist also did not believe these effects were due to the meds and

said he thought it was " teenage behavior " . Yeah, right, except it was totally

dose related. I dont know how they can agree that it can disinhibit kids, but

not see that if you disinhibit a preteen or teen boy, what you are left with is

agression, hypersexuality, lying, stealing , fighting, swearing etc. What other

inhibitions do they have?

Dont get me wrong. my kid is a perfectionist and an athlete. When his team mates

screw up, he is furious and mean, but he is my kid, not out of control, not

physical, not getting in trouble- just " High strung and competative " as his

coaches put it. On high dose meds he was always in trouble, always fighting.

Stealing daily etc. Much better now.

I know this disease well enought to know that he will not always be doing this

well, but for now we will enjoy the relative normal teenage pain in the butt

stuff. He is doing well in school, is popular and plays 3 seasons of high level

sports and plays the flute. He lies some , but not obsessively. He never

steals. He is mostly happy. He is clearly successful. I hope to ride the wave

as long as it lasts. When it crashes again, I know we have the tools to work

with it in a more successful way.

[Guest guest]

Regarding medication side effects: I did call Mayo Clinic and

the Cincinnati's Children Hospital and they both offer screening

to their pediatric patients (and adults) to determine what

anti-depressants and antipsychotic drugs they can or can not

metabolize. Our daughter's pediatric psychiatrist said she

didn't know enough about it but I hope to convince her tommorrow

that there is no harm in a test.

I can't figure out why we have not heard

much about this her on the east coast. Our therapist

told us to go to the Mayo Clinic and that is how we found

out.

I hope to be able to report if this turns out to be helpful

for us. We have a blood test done (or a cheek swab) and the

results are sent to our doctor within 2 days. It sounds

to good to be true.

Pam

>

> " How is your son doing now? How old is he, and when/what was the turning point

for you? With ours it was 17, when meds were somewhat sorted, and he'd lost 2

years of his life and wanted it back. "

>

>

>

> Our son is now 14. He was dx at age 3 and was really bad from 3-5 1/2, then

better with therapy only until age 8- then REALLY bad ( cleaning,just right,

touchinbg, tapping, mental rituals, checking, not eating due to poisoning fears,

spitting ( to get food that he had eaten months ago out of mouth), licking

things .....) from 8-11. We started meds at 8 1/2 and he was on high dose with

improved OCD symptoms but sociopathic from about 9 -12 at which point we were

able to drop his dose down below the sociopath threashold( 50 mg for him) and

begin some really hard core therapy over Dr Storch's Scype study at USF. ( we

have no one good in our area). 3 months after the study he did not fit criteria

for OCD, so we weaned off meds altogether. He was off for about 2-3 months, but

OCD thoughts ( not rituals) started creaping back in and he asked to go back on

meds. He is now on zoloft 25 mg a day just to keep the anxiety at bay. I think

it could be better controlled by CBT/ ERP, but he is 14 and is not willing to

put in the work. He seems to have no memory of how bad it can get so he is not

as afraid of it as we are. He has basicly lost completely 5 / 14 years of life

with complete disfunctanality, and 2 years of life being a sociopath and losing

all his friends due to lying ans stealing and agressive behavior. That is over

half of his life so far lost to this disease.

>

>

>

> Our psychiatrist also did not believe these effects were due to the meds and

said he thought it was " teenage behavior " . Yeah, right, except it was totally

dose related. I dont know how they can agree that it can disinhibit kids, but

not see that if you disinhibit a preteen or teen boy, what you are left with is

agression, hypersexuality, lying, stealing , fighting, swearing etc. What other

inhibitions do they have?

>

>

>

> Dont get me wrong. my kid is a perfectionist and an athlete. When his team

mates screw up, he is furious and mean, but he is my kid, not out of control,

not physical, not getting in trouble- just " High strung and competative " as his

coaches put it. On high dose meds he was always in trouble, always fighting.

Stealing daily etc. Much better now.

>

>

>

> I know this disease well enought to know that he will not always be doing this

well, but for now we will enjoy the relative normal teenage pain in the butt

stuff. He is doing well in school, is popular and plays 3 seasons of high level

sports and plays the flute. He lies some , but not obsessively. He never

steals. He is mostly happy. He is clearly successful. I hope to ride the wave

as long as it lasts. When it crashes again, I know we have the tools to work

with it in a more successful way.

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds amazing Pam. Do keep us posted on this. I am aware of testing that can

be done, but no access here either.

Is this assessing pathways available to metabolize meds do you know? Just

wondering what exactly they are assessing and how it all works, if you know.

Who is it that is doing this, a specialized lab or other? Would be good to know

to give information for others to access.

When we had our big crisis over medication I learned after the fact that some

people lack the enzymes(?)/pathways to metabolize certain medications. At the

time I felt very angry that this was not common knowledge or even considered by

our doctor if it was. If there is an actual test for this now then one can only

hope it will be made universally available!

I think there are various things out there, last I checked. I know someone who

traveled for a brain scan type assessment to see her " profile " so to speak,

which was then compared with a data base to see the optimal med choices. Also

heard of assessment done by urine to determine what is needed - sent away for

the test kit but our kid wouldn't pee in a cup at that time.

Best on this, and keep us posted!

Barb

>

> Regarding medication side effects: I did call Mayo Clinic and

> the Cincinnati's Children Hospital and they both offer screening

> to their pediatric patients (and adults) to determine what

> anti-depressants and antipsychotic drugs they can or can not

> metabolize. Our daughter's pediatric psychiatrist said she

> didn't know enough about it but I hope to convince her tommorrow

> that there is no harm in a test.

>

> I can't figure out why we have not heard

> much about this her on the east coast. Our therapist

> told us to go to the Mayo Clinic and that is how we found

> out.

>

> I hope to be able to report if this turns out to be helpful

> for us. We have a blood test done (or a cheek swab) and the

> results are sent to our doctor within 2 days. It sounds

> to good to be true.

>

>

> Pam

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Wow, that's a long journey so far! You've got a few more teenage years to

navigate...so much fun aren't they?

I share your frustration over the medication, and seeming lack of understanding

of doctors of just how much a kid can be affected and not really be themselves

anymore. I find it easier to have clarity now, after the fact, at the time it

was crazy making. I would be told, " this is your kid, not OCD, not medication,

your kid " - except they didn't know my kid before OCD or medication so how the

heck would they know anyway???

There seems to be an amount of denial, when they are not really bad, and memory

loss as you put it, of how bad it can get. I think when you are not in it you

don't want to remember, better to be in today. Teenage too! We have the same,

but at 19 I find ours is somewhat more mindful and does know, just chooses not

to think about it I suspect. Who'd want to remember it really.

I find the motivation to stay well comes from their wanting to do something

that's important to them. So if your son is active and social he is probably

having to confront the OCD daily to keep moving. I find it's when they stop

moving things can shut down pretty fast. Ours will still avoid, but if he is

out and doing he can avoid less. Definitely not motivated to do something

because I want him to!

I expect there will always be an ebb and flow with the OCD, but as long as they

are motivated to continue having a life they find a way to keep moving, around

or over or just despite the OCD being there. Provided, as you say, they have

the tools.

Always enjoy the humour in your posts! Good to hear that things are going well

enough in your house.

Warmly,

Barb

>

> " How is your son doing now? How old is he, and when/what was the turning point

for you? With ours it was 17, when meds were somewhat sorted, and he'd lost 2

years of his life and wanted it back. "

>

>

>

> Our son is now 14. He was dx at age 3 and was really bad from 3-5 1/2, then

better with therapy only until age 8- then REALLY bad ( cleaning,just right,

touchinbg, tapping, mental rituals, checking, not eating due to poisoning fears,

spitting ( to get food that he had eaten months ago out of mouth), licking

things .....) from 8-11. We started meds at 8 1/2 and he was on high dose with

improved OCD symptoms but sociopathic from about 9 -12 at which point we were

able to drop his dose down below the sociopath threashold( 50 mg for him) and

begin some really hard core therapy over Dr Storch's Scype study at USF. ( we

have no one good in our area). 3 months after the study he did not fit criteria

for OCD, so we weaned off meds altogether. He was off for about 2-3 months, but

OCD thoughts ( not rituals) started creaping back in and he asked to go back on

meds. He is now on zoloft 25 mg a day just to keep the anxiety at bay. I think

it could be better controlled by CBT/ ERP, but he is 14 and is not willing to

put in the work. He seems to have no memory of how bad it can get so he is not

as afraid of it as we are. He has basicly lost completely 5 / 14 years of life

with complete disfunctanality, and 2 years of life being a sociopath and losing

all his friends due to lying ans stealing and agressive behavior. That is over

half of his life so far lost to this disease.

>

>

>

> Our psychiatrist also did not believe these effects were due to the meds and

said he thought it was " teenage behavior " . Yeah, right, except it was totally

dose related. I dont know how they can agree that it can disinhibit kids, but

not see that if you disinhibit a preteen or teen boy, what you are left with is

agression, hypersexuality, lying, stealing , fighting, swearing etc. What other

inhibitions do they have?

>

>

>

> Dont get me wrong. my kid is a perfectionist and an athlete. When his team

mates screw up, he is furious and mean, but he is my kid, not out of control,

not physical, not getting in trouble- just " High strung and competative " as his

coaches put it. On high dose meds he was always in trouble, always fighting.

Stealing daily etc. Much better now.

>

>

>

> I know this disease well enought to know that he will not always be doing this

well, but for now we will enjoy the relative normal teenage pain in the butt

stuff. He is doing well in school, is popular and plays 3 seasons of high level

sports and plays the flute. He lies some , but not obsessively. He never

steals. He is mostly happy. He is clearly successful. I hope to ride the wave

as long as it lasts. When it crashes again, I know we have the tools to work

with it in a more successful way.

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, only zoloft. I am trying to get this DNA test done this week at

Children's in Cincinnati to see if there are any SSRI's

we should rule out. She has some other health issues, and

seems to be sensitive to medications in general. From what I

have read about p450 testing there are 4 main enzymes that metabolize

SSRI's and each SSRI is different (in the enzymes needed) so you

try to match the person to the drugs they metabolize best. Although

there are many many other issues that affect drug response

it is just one extra tool to rule out ones a person does not

metabolize at all or metabolizes to fast.

We are on week three of persistent anxiety and almost all late days of 11am or

later to start at school.

I hate to see her so irritable, but I am too fearful to jump

into another medication trial without some better direction.

Pam

> >

> > My daughter's obsessions have been increasing in the

> > evening. And then she is up late and to tired to go to school.

> > So we increased the zoloft from 75mg to 100mg. 75mg never

> > really worked well for the obsessive issues but it did totally

> > stop panic attacks and helped reduce outward trembling and nervousness.

> >

> > At 100mg she was totally aggressive and irritable all day yesterday.

> > It was so crazy. So we are going back down to 75mg. Although

> > between 50 - 75mg I did not see any reduction in obsessiveness

> > but at least the panic was gone.

> >

> > What ideas do you have? Her psychiatrist keeps pushing Abilify,

> > but I can't see how that is going to reduce obsessive

> > behaviors. My husband's brothers had such bad side effects from

> > any anti-psychotic drug they have tried. For them they had

> > to take the meds though.

> >

> > I would appreciate any feedback.

> >

> > Pam

> >

>