Re: New and have question about anxiety meds

[Guest guest]

My son takes 1 mg of risperdal in the am and 1 mg in pm and it has

made a HUGE difference in his life. Just his story tho.

>

> Hi!

>

> I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very

helpful. I

> have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new

IEP

> which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day

for

> social skills since they are more accepting of him than his

peers.

> Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule.

Last

> year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

> nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

> standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally,

we

> wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is

not on

> the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in

him

> as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed

his

> schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since

then.

> It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that

long

> again for health reasons.

>

> My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety

meds

> for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change

and

> new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer

and

> fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it

comes

> to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help

but

> we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

>

> Whitney

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

Risperdal is good for balancing mood yes, but in your case, I would

have to say it would be allot more helpful in the appetite department.

Risperdal GREATLY increases appetite. In fact, my son gained about 25

pounds in the past 4 months. He was already a healthy weight before

though so it's a problem on our end, but for your son it could be great,

both for his anxiety and his FTT. He is a bit young for such strong

meds though. Still, you might want to ask your doctor about it or

something similar. Just ask if there are any anti-anxiety meds, safe

for his age and weight that also have a weight gain side effect. Either

that or you could deep fry everything he eats :-) Just kidding.

Best wishes,

Tabitha

( ) New and have question about anxiety meds

Hi!

I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very helpful. I

have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new IEP

which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day for

social skills since they are more accepting of him than his peers.

Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule. Last

year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally, we

wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is not on

the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in him

as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed his

schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since then.

It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that long

again for health reasons.

My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety meds

for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change and

new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer and

fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it comes

to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help but

we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

Whitney

[Guest guest]

When my son was first diagnosed, he had really bad anxiety and depression

issues. At that time, we put him on Zoloft, 50mg. At the time he was also on

dexadrine for ADD issues. We slowly weaned him off the dexadrine because it was

a stimulant and on to Straterra, which is not a stimulant, but has

anti-anxiety/anti-depressive effect as well. The psych. wanted to completely

wean him off the Zoloft. We moved him down slowly and then took him off

completely. That didn't last him very long! His anxiety got way out of

control. He's able to maintain pretty well with the 25mg he has now. I think a

slightly higher dose would be even better, but if he gets too much of the

anti-depressives it keeps him awake at night. So, we'll stick with this for

now.

I love my DS's psychiatrist. He listens very carefully, remembers my DS's

history, asks just the right questions, knows how to ask the questions to my DS

so he will answer, and takes a minimalist approach. He believes we should give

them just enough to " take the edge off " .

wbswenson <whitney.swenson@...> wrote:

Hi!

I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very helpful. I

have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new IEP

which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day for

social skills since they are more accepting of him than his peers.

Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule. Last

year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally, we

wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is not on

the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in him

as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed his

schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since then.

It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that long

again for health reasons.

My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety meds

for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change and

new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer and

fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it comes

to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help but

we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

Whitney

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the responses. We spoke with a developmental

pediatrician about it this week. She mentioned a few meds (Tenex and

clomidine?). We are going to meet again in a few weeks to discuss

some more once she has completed her evaluation. The interesting

thing about these meds is they improve focus (much needed) and reduce

anxiety but actually increase appetite! They also are not stimulants!

Thanks!

Whitney

> Hi!

>

> I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very

helpful. I

> have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new

IEP

> which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day

for

> social skills since they are more accepting of him than his peers.

> Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule.

Last

> year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

> nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

> standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally, we

> wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is not

on

> the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in

him

> as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed

his

> schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since

then.

> It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that

long

> again for health reasons.

>

> My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety

meds

> for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change

and

> new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer and

> fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it

comes

> to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help

but

> we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

>

> Whitney

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I don't think Tenex does much, if anything, for my son's attention.

I don't think his teacher thinks so, either. (I can almost laugh

about it now.)

But, it's supposed to. He takes Zoloft for anxiety, too.

Jackie

ph (10, Asperger's/ADHD-Zoloft and Tenex)

(12, PDD-NOS/ADHD-Zoloft and Concerta)

On Jun 16, 2006, at 8:35 AM, wbswenson wrote:

> Thanks for all the responses. We spoke with a developmental

> pediatrician about it this week. She mentioned a few meds (Tenex and

> clomidine?). We are going to meet again in a few weeks to discuss

> some more once she has completed her evaluation. The interesting

> thing about these meds is they improve focus (much needed) and reduce

> anxiety but actually increase appetite! They also are not stimulants!

[Guest guest]

Hello Whitney,

Just wanted to let you know that my 4 year old (undiagnosed HFA) was

prescribed Tenex by the neuro, and I was very dubious and hated the thought of

meds, but WOW! the difference is night and day. He is on 1 dose a day at .25mg

(it was 2 doses but I found this made him too sleepy). It definately helps him

stay focussed and keeps him calmer/less anxious/less self stimulation than

without it. I missed a day of his meds just once (running late, you know how

that can be!) and by late afternoon he was very hypo and out of control.

Tenex is apparently used for children with Hyperactivity, it lowers the blood

pressure, and so far, with such a small dose, he has had no side effects. It

only took 1-2 weeks to see a difference. I hope if you decide on this route,

that you have some success with it as we did.

My best

Blessed single Mom to on, 4. (KS)

wbswenson <whitney.swenson@...> wrote:

Thanks for all the responses. We spoke with a developmental

pediatrician about it this week. She mentioned a few meds (Tenex and

clomidine?). We are going to meet again in a few weeks to discuss

some more once she has completed her evaluation. The interesting

thing about these meds is they improve focus (much needed) and reduce

anxiety but actually increase appetite! They also are not stimulants!

Thanks!

Whitney

> Hi!

>

> I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very

helpful. I

> have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new

IEP

> which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day

for

> social skills since they are more accepting of him than his peers.

> Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule.

Last

> year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

> nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

> standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally, we

> wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is not

on

> the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in

him

> as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed

his

> schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since

then.

> It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that

long

> again for health reasons.

>

> My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety

meds

> for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change

and

> new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer and

> fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it

comes

> to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help

but

> we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

>

> Whitney

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I have a question as well about these meds............making kids gaining

weight, they put my Son on Geodon.........Anyone take that? My Son gained 85

pounds in one year on this med, the effects of it are horrific, I did not know

this before hand or I would of never put him on this, I also have a lot of

trouble with the meds for the ADHD part........they clash with everything and

make my Son extremely irritable........who is getting good results with what

med's controlling the moods/adhd/anxiety, I would like to

know...........THANKS~~~~~~~Lynda

[Guest guest]

We started meds at age 6 and began with " Zoloft. " It was heaven sent. It

reduced the anxiety greatly! Also, what kinds of supports does he have?

Perhaps it is too much to integrate into that classroom for one hour. Maybe

he needs 10 minutes to start with? Also, does he have an aide going with

him to help support and facilitate play? If he had someone with him that he

trusts, perhaps it would not be so hard for him?

Roxanna

Autism Happens

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of wbswenson

Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 12:09 PM

Subject: ( ) New and have question about anxiety meds

Hi!

I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very helpful. I

have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new IEP

which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day for

social skills since they are more accepting of him than his peers.

Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule. Last

year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally, we

wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is not on

the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in him

as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed his

schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since then.

It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that long

again for health reasons.

My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety meds

for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change and

new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer and

fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it comes

to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help but

we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

Whitney

[Guest guest]

does you son have a diagnosis of BIPOLAR along with the Asperger's and ADHD?

Mine does, and is on meds for the BIPOLAR, which I wonder if some of that is

mostly just a part of the Asperger's, he has been on zoloft before, and

Strattera, with out much noted difference, he also has tried concerta, and the

focalin XR, all make him very irritable.

[Guest guest]

We've done a lot of fine tuning to get the mix right. My DS is on 40 mg

Straterra 2x per day and 25mg Zoloft in the evening. For us, this mix has

worked very very well. He's still my same sweet boy, but able to hold it

together. He had been on Dexadrine for the ADD, but was not gaining weight very

well, even though he was eating great. After years, though, it had sped up his

metabolism so very much. He gained 21 pounds in 3 months, but it was a godsend

to us. That gaining didn't last past the " normal " size for his age.

Anyway, it's all a mix. It took us almost a year to get where we are.

When parents are starting meds, or new meds, I always recommend starting a med

journal. How much he takes, when he takes it, specific examples of

behaviors/side effects that you like and that you don't like, how many hours per

day he sleeps, when he falls asleep, if he has trouble falling asleep, if he

reverts to younger behaviors, how well you feel it's helping what it's intended

for. As for feedback from teachers/school psychologist. Make sure you document

both the positive and the negative (I know I often focus on the negative).

Then, you have a detailed history of what's happening, what he's taken, etc. for

when you go into the psychiatrist who's dispensing the med's. As the kids get

older, it will also help them understand " why " they are taking the meds.

CLNALT@... wrote:

I have a question as well about these meds............making kids

gaining

weight, they put my Son on Geodon.........Anyone take that? My Son gained 85

pounds in one year on this med, the effects of it are horrific, I did not know

this before hand or I would of never put him on this, I also have a lot of

trouble with the meds for the ADHD part........they clash with everything and

make my Son extremely irritable........who is getting good results with what

med's controlling the moods/adhd/anxiety, I would like to

know...........THANKS~~~~~~~Lynda

[Guest guest]

what dosage of Geodon is he on??? My son takes 40mg 2x a day, and the Doctor

who did not describe it, said it is a major contribute to weight

gain...........also my Son tried focalin and it really clashed with the geodon

and

triliptal he is on, causing a lot of irritability and weird outbursts of

yelling,

and agitation, the Adderall XR does too at a lower dose, my Son had the best

year in school when he was on Adderall XR 75mg and Paxil 10mg.

[Guest guest]

ambilfy did not help my son.

[Guest guest]

My son takes geodan and after 1 year I'm going to ask for it to go away. I

never saw an improvement with it and a couple more he takes I think should

go. We go to the doctor on Friday and hopefully he will be willing to help

me remove them. He also takes zyprexa which I don't think made a bit of

difference except make him gain weight about 30 pounds in the past year.

Aside from his focalin and depakote the other meds need to go I think .

Suzanne

-- Re: ( ) New and have question about anxiety meds

I have a question as well about these meds............making kids gaining

weight, they put my Son on Geodon.........Anyone take that? My Son gained 85

pounds in one year on this med, the effects of it are horrific, I did not

know

this before hand or I would of never put him on this, I also have a lot of

trouble with the meds for the ADHD part........they clash with everything

and

make my Son extremely irritable........who is getting good results with what

med's controlling the moods/adhd/anxiety, I would like to

know...........THANKS~~~~~~~Lynda

[Guest guest]

My son did very well on 5 mg of abilify when they gave it to him... can't get

the doc to write a prescription, though... the psychiatric nurse was giving him

samples... but they stopped... sucks to be me, eh?

Re: ( ) New and have question about anxiety meds

I have a question as well about these meds............making kids gaining

weight, they put my Son on Geodon.........Anyone take that? My Son gained 85

pounds in one year on this med, the effects of it are horrific, I did not

know

this before hand or I would of never put him on this, I also have a lot of

trouble with the meds for the ADHD part........they clash with everything

and

make my Son extremely irritable........who is getting good results with what

med's controlling the moods/adhd/anxiety, I would like to

know...........THANKS~~~~~~~Lynda

[Guest guest]

He always has a 1:1 ABA aide with him wherever he goes. I think the

school overestimated his adjustment skills. Since he is so

internally driven, it is very hard to gauge his level of anxiety

until the physical symptoms show. I don't think they remember that

it took him 7 months to adjust to his last schedule. They seem

disheartened that they have to pull out programs from 6 months ago

and still he is not back on track. I don't understand how they think

he could adjust in 1 month...they are slow to learn. We knew it

would be an issue but he will never progress if we don't push him.

Although we hoped he would adjust better than this. This is round 2

for us of the throwing up stage. UGH! I think school is nervous

about summer and fall since they are more drastic changes. He can do

it if he is pushed but we pay the price with the throwing up and

diarrhea (although he did throw up at school last week).

Someone mentioned deep frying everything...I wish I could! If he

would eat it I would be thrilled. I don't know where we would be

without EnsurePlus. I just bought heavy cream to mix into his food

(50 calories for 1 tbsp)! He is just so skinny...unhealthy looking

from the neck down.

>

> We started meds at age 6 and began with " Zoloft. " It was heaven

sent. It

> reduced the anxiety greatly! Also, what kinds of supports does he

have?

> Perhaps it is too much to integrate into that classroom for one

hour. Maybe

> he needs 10 minutes to start with? Also, does he have an aide

going with

> him to help support and facilitate play? If he had someone with

him that he

> trusts, perhaps it would not be so hard for him?

>

>

>

> Roxanna

>

> Autism Happens

>

> _____

>

> From:

> [mailto: ] On Behalf Of wbswenson

> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 12:09 PM

>

> Subject: ( ) New and have question about anxiety meds

>

>

>

> Hi!

>

> I have been reading the posts for a while and they are very

helpful. I

> have a 4yr old Aspie/PDD NOS. School has just implemented his new

IEP

> which has him integrating with Kindergarteners for an hour a day

for

> social skills since they are more accepting of him than his peers.

> Jack is having a difficult time adjusting to this new schedule.

Last

> year once school started, he started making himself throw up most

> nights. Eating has been a real issue although not from a picky

> standpoint. He will eat anything when he wants to eat. Normally, we

> wouldn't push his but he is also Failure to Thrive (FTT) and is not

on

> the growth chart so our dr has told us to get as many calories in

him

> as possible but it is terrible. He was better until they changed

his

> schedule again. He also has diarrhea frequently at school since

then.

> It took him 7 months to adjust the first time...we can't wait that

long

> again for health reasons.

>

> My question is what has been this group's experience with anxiety

meds

> for kids. It is evident that he is very very anxious with change

and

> new situations, which will be more frequent with his new summer and

> fall programs. He does not communicate well especially when it

comes

> to emotions. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments?? He needs help

but

> we are at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

>

> Whitney

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

---Why won't the dr write a prescription for something you know

helped him??

Toni

In , " Tami Ober " <nyx@...>

wrote:

>

> My son did very well on 5 mg of abilify when they gave it to

him... can't get the doc to write a prescription, though... the

psychiatric nurse was giving him samples... but they stopped...

sucks to be me, eh?

> Re: ( ) New and have question about

anxiety meds

>

> I have a question as well about these meds............making

kids gaining

> weight, they put my Son on Geodon.........Anyone take that? My

Son gained 85

>

> pounds in one year on this med, the effects of it are horrific,

I did not

> know

> this before hand or I would of never put him on this, I also

have a lot of

> trouble with the meds for the ADHD part........they clash with

everything

> and

> make my Son extremely irritable........who is getting good

results with what

>

> med's controlling the moods/adhd/anxiety, I would like to

> know...........THANKS~~~~~~~Lynda

>

>