Re: General question SSRI - changing amounts or type

[Guest guest]

From what I've learned from the Mental Health people I know is that you

have to be really careful when changing/stopping some medications. Many

have severe repercussions if stopped abruptly. If you're not

comfortable with the dosage, by all means go for a 2nd opinion. I'm a

firm believer in " following your gut " ; it's yet to steer me wrong.

Tonya

General question SSRI - changing

amounts or type

To Listserv,

I will keep this general, because I want to learn from others how it

is possible to change medications prescribed by the

experts/psychiatrists.

So far it has been my experience that I can change the amounts (my

psychiatrist did not want to change it one bit), but that it be done

by small amounts (25 mg amount/cut pills) and that I observe any and

all changes (psychiatrist gave me this option) during a month period.

The reason I am asking is because my son is taking the maximum

allowed by the FDA, but of course I would like to decrease this

amount.

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI)

Of course, I have spoken with others in support groups, and I have

received answers of many different degrees - change psychiatrist,

stopped taking medications completely, etc.

[Guest guest]

It is common for children with autism to benefit from a LOW DOSE of SSRI. My

son takes half the recommended dose for his weight. My developmental

pediatrician worked with us to find the " right " dose which provided the desired

benefit (reduced anxiety) without causing aggression (a commonly seen negative

impact).

In addition to seeing a developmental pediatrician, we also sought out a

second opinion from a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist agreed with the dev ped

recommendations and gave us a general overview of why our special kids may need

different types of medication (and often multiple medications) throughout their

lives. Some drugs interact well with others, while some do not. And since each

child is different, some will benefit from a particular medication while others

will not.

I'm not an expert, but would suggest following your gut and seek a second

opinion from another psychiatrist. Is there a pediatric psychiatrist that has

experience with autism in Austin?

Maggie

mark colditz wrote:

To Listserv,

I will keep this general, because I want to learn from others how it

is possible to change medications prescribed by the

experts/psychiatrists.

So far it has been my experience that I can change the amounts (my

psychiatrist did not want to change it one bit), but that it be done

by small amounts (25 mg amount/cut pills) and that I observe any and

all changes (psychiatrist gave me this option) during a month period.

The reason I am asking is because my son is taking the maximum

allowed by the FDA, but of course I would like to decrease this

amount.

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI)

Of course, I have spoken with others in support groups, and I have

received answers of many different degrees - change psychiatrist,

stopped taking medications completely, etc.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

What meds are your children on and are your children considered high/low

functioning? I'm from a small town in Tx that has very little Autism services

and specialists. My sons Autism " specialist " wanted to start him on a med that

could possibly cause EPS or TD and would not even consider starting with SSRI's,

which if I understand correctly have a lower incidence of adverse side effects.

Now as you probably have guessed, my son is not taking any meds and I really

think he could benefit from them in school.

Maggie Everts wrote: It is common for children

with autism to benefit from a LOW DOSE of SSRI. My son takes half the

recommended dose for his weight. My developmental pediatrician worked with us to

find the " right " dose which provided the desired benefit (reduced anxiety)

without causing aggression (a commonly seen negative impact).

In addition to seeing a developmental pediatrician, we also sought out a second

opinion from a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist agreed with the dev ped

recommendations and gave us a general overview of why our special kids may need

different types of medication (and often multiple medications) throughout their

lives. Some drugs interact well with others, while some do not. And since each

child is different, some will benefit from a particular medication while others

will not.

I'm not an expert, but would suggest following your gut and seek a second

opinion from another psychiatrist. Is there a pediatric psychiatrist that has

experience with autism in Austin?

Maggie

mark colditz wrote:

To Listserv,

I will keep this general, because I want to learn from others how it

is possible to change medications prescribed by the

experts/psychiatrists.

So far it has been my experience that I can change the amounts (my

psychiatrist did not want to change it one bit), but that it be done

by small amounts (25 mg amount/cut pills) and that I observe any and

all changes (psychiatrist gave me this option) during a month period.

The reason I am asking is because my son is taking the maximum

allowed by the FDA, but of course I would like to decrease this

amount.

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI)

Of course, I have spoken with others in support groups, and I have

received answers of many different degrees - change psychiatrist,

stopped taking medications completely, etc.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your message. I tried google and yahoo searching

info based upon your sentence - " takes half the recommended dose for

his weight " and, of course, age. The best that I could find was a

website that prescribed dosages was this:

www.rxlist.com

This website provided a tab/hyperlink for " indications and usage "

for the searched drug. It was a good site, but not quite what you

mentioned.........anyways.

I am carefully evaluating how to proceed, but my gut tells me that

continuing a dosage for " maintenance " should be or could be

different than overcoming/stabilizing an initial condition. My son

has been stabilized for a year now and I just think this high rate

of SSRI is somewhat questionable. I am proceeding based on his

recommendation of one month, decrease 25 mg/per month with

observations of any and all symptomatic/observeable changes in my

son.

Thanks to all

> To Listserv,

>

> I will keep this general, because I want to learn from others how

it

> is possible to change medications prescribed by the

> experts/psychiatrists.

>

> So far it has been my experience that I can change the amounts (my

> psychiatrist did not want to change it one bit), but that it be

done

> by small amounts (25 mg amount/cut pills) and that I observe any

and

> all changes (psychiatrist gave me this option) during a month

period.

>

> The reason I am asking is because my son is taking the maximum

> allowed by the FDA, but of course I would like to decrease this

> amount.

>

> selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI)

>

> Of course, I have spoken with others in support groups, and I have

> received answers of many different degrees - change psychiatrist,

> stopped taking medications completely, etc.

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I have always been told that kids with ASD require much less of a

dosage of medication than the standard dose usually given. I think

some doctors who make presentations nationally may have some written

information on this including Dr. Luke Tsai out of Michigan, a

psychiatrist who specializes in ASD.

nna

[Guest guest]

>

> My son has been taking Zoloft for many years and although he was down

> to 20mg I could never reduce it to 10mg. If I did he would start

> crying again for no reason and was very sensistive. His crying would

> happen all day and had all of us tiptoeing around to make sure we

> didn't upset him. Recently I added 300mg of Tryptophan and 200 mg of

> SAM-E. I didn't notice a huge improvement with the Tryptophan but the

> SAM-E is wonderful! I have now reduced him to 10mg will no crying

> episodes and no side effects. In the next few weeks I am going to

> increase the SAM-E and see if I can get rid of Zoloft altogeter. I

> might add that I am taking 400mg of SAM-E and I have never felt so

> stress free. I hope this helps someone else. Trina

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Trina,

Thank you for your email. My son had a coping mechanism/obsessive

compulsive situation health situation a couple of years ago in late

July 2004 and early August. We ended going to Seay Behavioral

Center in Plano just to get him safely back and steer him on a

course of recovery. In order to initially treat and stabilize his

OCD we slowly were upped on Zoloft to 200 mg (max FDA allowable) by

our psychiatrist. I don't remember how this all went, because I

was completing an engineer package for a surface movement radar

project at Hobby Airport Houston, TX (my wife went to most

meetings). I do feel sad that I did not focus more on this matter,

but now after reading and reading from experts and talking and

talking with Autism/Asperger support group members I became a much

more compassionate and focused father for my son. I was ignorant

of much about Autism - how it is treated, the puzzle of treating and

the vast number of treatments and options, and the inadequate

funding and attention to the autism spectrum.

Anyways, I too, am concerned about the amount of zoloft my son is

taking. I now have him down to 150 mg and carefully monitor and

observe him. My psychiatrist did NOT want to change his treatment,

but I persisted. As others here on this Yahoo list have mentioned,

my " gut " feeling about his treatment could or should be

reevaluated. He has been stabilized for over a year now and I just

felt this was questionable as far as a " maintenance " treatment. My

psychiatrist said I could go lower by cutting pills at a rate of 25

mg per month. I am following this. I did look into getting a

second opinion, but a first recommendation was another psychiatrist

and when I mentioned her name, some members said she had the same

manners/approach as my present psychiatrist. So I sort of delayed

looking or setting a meeting.

I am also considering checking blood tests to make sure is

doing well. I would like to know if others do this too to check or

verify how medications affect their loved ones. Though, I read that

many parents have done many tests to help their loved ones -

everything from viral testing and scanning such as MRI, etc., and

food modification programs.

I read alot and am just amazed at what all the parents/grandparents

have done in advocating and helping their loved ones.

is also taking small amounts of abilify 5 mg and 36 mg of

concerta.

I am trying to learn more and again, thank you for sharing.

>

> >

> > My son has been taking Zoloft for many years and although he was

down

> > to 20mg I could never reduce it to 10mg. If I did he would start

> > crying again for no reason and was very sensistive. His crying

would

> > happen all day and had all of us tiptoeing around to make sure

we

> > didn't upset him. Recently I added 300mg of Tryptophan and 200

mg of

> > SAM-E. I didn't notice a huge improvement with the Tryptophan

but the

> > SAM-E is wonderful! I have now reduced him to 10mg will no

crying

> > episodes and no side effects. In the next few weeks I am going

to

> > increase the SAM-E and see if I can get rid of Zoloft altogeter.

I

> > might add that I am taking 400mg of SAM-E and I have never felt

so

> > stress free. I hope this helps someone else. Trina

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Aliza,

I will do that soon.......I am sure my GP doctor will understand my

concern and will provide the proper test for it. I had read the

side-affects of SSRI and that is why I was much more concerned about

this zoloft amount. Thank you.

> >

> > >

> > > My son has been taking Zoloft for many years and although he

was

> down

> > > to 20mg I could never reduce it to 10mg. If I did he would

start

> > > crying again for no reason and was very sensistive. His crying

> would

> > > happen all day and had all of us tiptoeing around to make sure

> we

> > > didn't upset him. Recently I added 300mg of Tryptophan and 200

> mg of

> > > SAM-E. I didn't notice a huge improvement with the Tryptophan

> but the

> > > SAM-E is wonderful! I have now reduced him to 10mg will no

> crying

> > > episodes and no side effects. In the next few weeks I am going

> to

> > > increase the SAM-E and see if I can get rid of Zoloft

altogeter.

> I

> > > might add that I am taking 400mg of SAM-E and I have never

felt

> so

> > > stress free. I hope this helps someone else. Trina

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> 'Don't be humble. You're not that great.'

> --- Golda Meir

>

>

[Guest guest]

> is also taking small amounts of abilify 5 mg and 36 mg of

concerta<

I hope I don't offend anyone but it amazes me that we parents allow the doctors

to put our children on these many dangerous meds at the same time. My youngest

daughter (NT) was put on a cocktail of meds for a short time as a teenager, but

to hear that young children are on these cocktails disturbs me. Some of you may

have heard our Comptroller Carole Strayhorn speaking out about the fact that 60

percent of foster kids are on dangerous cocktails like this, some as young as 2

because they cry and want to go home to their parents. I know that when Tristan

was on one med, Abilify, he was not the same child. He was very subdued, did

not progress in the academic program at school, developed mouth and facial

ticks, bit holes in clothes, etc. It helped his Self Abusive Behavior/SIB for a

time, but after a couple of months that returned along with negative side

effects. It helped that the school nurse was concerned about the effects of the

meds so the neurologist agreed to stop it. He has not been on any medication

since then and we use only behavior modification, if you can call it that.

Tristan has never been seen by a psychiatrist and I don't see why they would be

the professional that would see our children. Psychiatry has harmed people with

autism over the years, if it had been left up to them and if they were still

seen as the experts in this area, all our children would be in institutions and

medicated zombies. I am sorry if my comments shock some on this list and I am

venting a little, but I think back to those who went before us, those who were

called the Refrigerator Mothers, given that title by Psychiatry. I commend you

for stepping up to the plate to advocate for your son. It is understandable

when parents, be they mom or dad, who have huge responsiblities which pull them

away from focusing on this task, have difficulty fighting for their children

with autism. To make this a priority in your life is commendable.

C.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I fully appreciate your comments and concern, and I am glad that you

are a loving advocate for your family.

In my son's instance, his OCD was so overpowering in July 2004 that

we could not stop him from washing his hands. It was frantic,

continued episodes with soap and water flying everywhere, plus

another OCD matter of equal concern (won't go into it). In such a

case, we were desperate for relief and thus it began our life with

medications...........I though am a firm believer that if my son can

live without it and live a fulfilling life then I will do everything

in my power and in my understanding of medical treatments to change

away from these medications. In our case, his health was in

jeopardy, and thus the clinic and subsequent professionals directed

us to go this route.

Now, though, I am trying new things always hoping for better, just

like all loving Autism Spectrum parents and advocates.

Thank you for sharing and keep your wonderful advocate heart.

Best Regards,

Mark Colditz

Carrollton, TX

>

> > is also taking small amounts of abilify 5 mg and 36 mg of

> concerta<

>

> I hope I don't offend anyone but it amazes me that we parents

allow the doctors to put our children on these many dangerous meds

at the same time. My youngest daughter (NT) was put on a cocktail

of meds for a short time as a teenager, but to hear that young

children are on these cocktails disturbs me. Some of you may have

heard our Comptroller Carole Strayhorn speaking out about the fact

that 60 percent of foster kids are on dangerous cocktails like this,

some as young as 2 because they cry and want to go home to their

parents. I know that when Tristan was on one med, Abilify, he was

not the same child. He was very subdued, did not progress in the

academic program at school, developed mouth and facial ticks, bit

holes in clothes, etc. It helped his Self Abusive Behavior/SIB for

a time, but after a couple of months that returned along with

negative side effects. It helped that the school nurse was

concerned about the effects of the meds so the neurologist agreed to

stop it. He has not been on any medication since then and we use

only behavior modification, if you can call it that. Tristan has

never been seen by a psychiatrist and I don't see why they would be

the professional that would see our children. Psychiatry has harmed

people with autism over the years, if it had been left up to them

and if they were still seen as the experts in this area, all our

children would be in institutions and medicated zombies. I am sorry

if my comments shock some on this list and I am venting a little,

but I think back to those who went before us, those who were called

the Refrigerator Mothers, given that title by Psychiatry. I commend

you for stepping up to the plate to advocate for your son. It is

understandable when parents, be they mom or dad, who have huge

responsiblities which pull them away from focusing on this task,

have difficulty fighting for their children with autism. To make

this a priority in your life is commendable.

>

> C.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I second the recommendation to check for strep. My son used to

obsessively wash his hands. We did a stool analysis, and after finding

high strep levels in his gut, treated with antibiotics. It's not

sufficient to do a throat culture. The OCD went away with antibiotic

treatment. Before that, we used 1500 mg/day of IP6 (inositol

hexaphosphate) to control the OCD symptoms - it was quite effective

and safe.

> >

> > > is also taking small amounts of abilify 5 mg and 36 mg of

> > concerta<

> >

> > I hope I don't offend anyone but it amazes me that we parents

> allow the doctors to put our children on these many dangerous meds

> at the same time. My youngest daughter (NT) was put on a cocktail

> of meds for a short time as a teenager, but to hear that young

> children are on these cocktails disturbs me. Some of you may have

> heard our Comptroller Carole Strayhorn speaking out about the fact

> that 60 percent of foster kids are on dangerous cocktails like this,

> some as young as 2 because they cry and want to go home to their

> parents. I know that when Tristan was on one med, Abilify, he was

> not the same child. He was very subdued, did not progress in the

> academic program at school, developed mouth and facial ticks, bit

> holes in clothes, etc. It helped his Self Abusive Behavior/SIB for

> a time, but after a couple of months that returned along with

> negative side effects. It helped that the school nurse was

> concerned about the effects of the meds so the neurologist agreed to

> stop it. He has not been on any medication since then and we use

> only behavior modification, if you can call it that. Tristan has

> never been seen by a psychiatrist and I don't see why they would be

> the professional that would see our children. Psychiatry has harmed

> people with autism over the years, if it had been left up to them

> and if they were still seen as the experts in this area, all our

> children would be in institutions and medicated zombies. I am sorry

> if my comments shock some on this list and I am venting a little,

> but I think back to those who went before us, those who were called

> the Refrigerator Mothers, given that title by Psychiatry. I commend

> you for stepping up to the plate to advocate for your son. It is

> understandable when parents, be they mom or dad, who have huge

> responsiblities which pull them away from focusing on this task,

> have difficulty fighting for their children with autism. To make

> this a priority in your life is commendable.

> >

> > C.

> >

> >