HI..my story is kind of long...pls. bear with me. My son is 11 yrs old..w/b 12 in May. He is an extremely smart boy with a very adult way of looking at life. He has always had social issues, hard to make friends,etc. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 7...and then GAD a few years later. We were seeing a Developmental Pediatrician, who specialized in ADHD. She had him on Concerta, Celexa (for the Anxiety) and Risperdal (for moods)...and then Clonidine to help him sleep. He was on this group of medicine for years...doses were adjusted...but he stayed on the same drugs pretty much the whole way. Aboout 3 months ago he started complaining about his weight...he was too fat, etc. We definitely though the weight was from the Risperdal but felt it was a necessary evil. He begged us to try and take him off his medications...let him try it without to see how it goes. Well...the Dev. Ped. was no longer in our insurance plan...and we thought this was a great time to get another opinion on meds. We went to a psychiatrist. He spent some time talking to my son...and felt that we should try taking him off all the meds...cold turkey..no weaning. I questioned it...but he said it was fine. So..we did it. The first couple weeks were rough..he was very emotional...but we worked through it. He actually seemed happier and was doing well in school. Over the February vacation I took my 2 kids (also have a 7yrold girl) to Disney (my husband couldn't make the trip). My son was excited about the trip. Well..three days into the trip...our first day at Disney (we had gone to Sea World and Univeral the two days before) he had a complete breakdown. Had a major anxiety attack...wouldn't leave the bathroom, just wanted to leave. It was horrible...this lasted through the next two days. Nothing I did helped him...he was completely out of sorts and miserable. We cut the trip short and came home two days early. He was in such a state that I felt he needed to be in his own surroundings. He calmed down a bit when we got home..but felt terrible that he ruined our trip. Five days after we got home my sister-in-law (his favorite Aunt) died from Ovarian cancer. It was a long illness and he was devastated at her loss. The morning of her funeral he had another breakdown and told us he wanted to commit suicide. We called a helpline and they talked to him and calmed him down. He was able to get through the funeral...we took him to the psychiatrist that afternoon. The dr. put him on Depakote and Celaxa. He felt we needed to stablize his moods. Well...that was last Thursday and the last week has been a nightmare. He was called the suicide helpline twice and told the guidance counselor he wants to kill himself. He tells us he is sad...we decided to try a different psychiatrist because the new one wasn't taking this very seriously. We went to the new one on Monday...she felt he should stay on the Depakote and Celexa. I explained the whole story...and said that when he was on Concerta, Risperdal and Celexa he was good...why couldn't we go back there? She felt we should stay the course...well...this week was horrible...terrible. Finally yesterday we went back to her and I demanded he be taken off the Depakote...he looked drugged...even though we cut th dosage three times he looked stoned. She agreed he should go back on Rispderal..and off the Depakote. Last night was the first night on Risperdal..and then this morning he took his Celexa...it's like a different kid. He is smiling again...said he feels better,etc. I am noticing he is implusive..and he said it was hard to concentrate at school. My gut tells me he needs to also be back on Concerta...but the dr. felt he didn't and wants to wait. He was able to do homework tonigt...w/me sitting there prodding him and keeping him on task (w/Concerta I didn't have to do that). Now..perhaps we need to give it a few days and maybe once the Risperdal is in his system he will be more focused...I was just wondering if anyone has had situations like this? Since 2/20 when he had that breakdown in Disney our lives have been turned upside down. Like I said to the psych. yesterday...I want my son back. Before he was abruptly taken off all his meds he was doing well. Where is that kid? Today I am starting to see him again...but I am so scared and not sure where to turn. Should I take him to another doctor??? Stay the course w/this one? He also goes to a therapist...who is helping somewhat using Cognitive Therapy...but again...the last few weeks have been so scary that I don't know if that did anything.
So..that's my story....can anyone offer any words, thoughts, insights...anything?
Thanks for listening...
CM
Welcome and {{{cyber hugs}}} to you. You have had a tough road. I don't have a child his age, so take this fwiw. You should trust your gut feeling on his doctor. You need to find a doctor you can trust. Hmmm, maybe that's an oxymoron! Anyway, I wouldn't take my kids to doctors I don't feel comfortable with. Good luck and keep us posted!That is my feeling as well. It is so important to feel as if you fully trust the doctor. That is half the battle.If this doc won't take the time to explain the treatment approach, other options and what to expect then you need a new doc. If you are having trouble remembering to ask everything you want, write it down (it is common to forget to ask things in the doctor's office). It is important to have a doctor that you can work with. Good luck.