Risperdal | ADHD Information
Has anyone had any dealings with this medicine? I had written a post earlier about my son could be bipolar. His regular psychiatrist thinks he may have ODD. But the neuro dr he is going thru testing with is suggesting bipolar. I don't know anymore. His anger is getting worse everyday! If anyone has any information please let me know! Thanks [QUOTE=Leigh_GA_66]Adtsmom,
We're facing a possible bipolar dignosis for my nine year old son. I'm not convinced of it, but I'm willing to consider it given the "symptoms." He was diagnosed ADHD at age five. He is hyper and can't focus at school AT ALL unless on meds. He's easily upset, irritated and demanding (at home), backtalks and tantrums (at home), fearful, a bit obsessive and very sensitive. [/QUOTE]
Your son's description sounds exactly like my son except he's no angel outside of the home. Bipolar was ruled out with my kid.....I think you may REALLY want to focus more on the anxiety/OCD. Everything you describe are symptoms of extremely high anxiety/OCD.
I've heard case after case of kids that were dx'd with all kinds of things (especially BP, ADHD and AS or PDD) when the real root of most of the evilness was severe anxiety.
Just a thought
Tater,
Thanks. I wrote that post the end of May. A couple of days later, I took him off Depakote AND Adderall. I knew he wasn't bipolar (researched it for nearly a year). I told the doctor. Still, I was willing to listen after so many problems for so long. My son has been on vitamins and Omega 3s since the start of June. It will take a while to get in his system, but I feel much better. By the way, you were right on with the anxiety. He suffers from it (and that's not just my observation). Testing showed it, too. I'm just OVER all the bipolar talk. I know there are kids and adults who deal with it (one of my dearest friends is bipolar), but it seems to be, with children, the "it" diagnosis of the moment. I've read enough. I know that's not what we are dealing with. Incidentally, since I took my son off the meds (and since school was let out), I've seen dramatic improvement in his behavior. Dramatic! He still gets irritated and still cries when things don't go his way, but the improvement in him AND the improvement in our relationship is just remarkable. I'm doing a lot at home to try to work on things, and I just pray that by the time school starts up again in August, he'll be able to focus better. He's been on practically everything for ADHD in the last four years and has reacted adversely to it all (sleep issues, weight loss, motor and vocal tics and extreme irritability). We are done with it.
I told him recently, by the way, "You have done so well off of your medication. You've been trying so hard, and I'm so proud of you. I believe we'll be able to get through this without your medication now." This child's eyes LIT UP and he grabbed me and hugged me so tight and thanked me over and over. I heard him tell his daddy about it later that night. It was as if he had won an important race. I know I've made the right decision. We'll work on the anxiety this summer. I fully believe this is workable. Thanks so much for your input.
Leigh_GA_6638521.4321643518
Adtsmom,
We're facing a possible bipolar dignosis for my nine year old son. I'm not convinced of it, but I'm willing to consider it given the "symptoms." He was diagnosed ADHD at age five. He is hyper and can't focus at school AT ALL unless on meds. He's easily upset, irritated and demanding (at home), backtalks and tantrums (at home), fearful, a bit obsessive and very sensitive. Other parents, on the other hand describe him as "so well-mannered," "the sweetest boy," and "polite." His teachers say the same thing. They only notice the hyperactivity and inability to focus without meds. He can be a sweetheart and very well mannered at home, too, but that's if everything is going his way OR just following an exhausting tantrum and realizing his mistake.
Anyway, we tried Risperdal in the spring. I noticed the tantrums easing up dramatically, BUT he had a very unusual reaction; muscle cramps. We stopped the medicine all together the day his muscles completely locked up and he couldn't put any weight on his feet for a couple of hours. It scared me! I HAVE to tell you, though, that his reaction was NOT typical at all. The doctor said most people do quite well with Risperdal. He's on Depakote now (along with Adderall XR), but I don't know how it's working. I was told it can take up to five weeks to show any improvement
Leigh_GA_6638502.4544907407Paul~
My son (8 y.o.) suffers the incredibly short fuse also. You had asked in another thread what SNRI was. It is Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor....which Strattera is in that class of drug. It's looking like my son may naturally have an excess of the excititory neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (excess norepinephrine is believed associated with agitation, acute anxiety and manic episodes. ) We are in the process of testing his neurotransmitter levels right now. His mood was extemely bad on Effexor and Strattera (both SNRIs).
A couple of rambling thoughts to this tread.....
The DMS IV which is the bible used by psychatrists to diagnois behavioral problems makes the point that a Bipolar condition cannot be effectively diagnosed before the age of 16. That's not to say that Bipolar symptoms or traits don't co-exist with ADHD in younger kids.
In my son's case, he has always had a fast fuse but when he started taking Concerta and then Strattera his anxiety grew substantially. At that point we added Risperdal to the chemical cocktail and have gained substantial stability. But drug stability is a transient condition since changes in age, weight and maturation tend to effect a drug's effectiveness. This summer we are moving off of Strattera and on to Wellbutrin. Once he is acclimated to that, my hope to is to reduce the Risperdal. I'll keep you updated on our progress.
As a point of reference, my guy is 10 with the type of ADHD that shows up in hyperactivity and low impulse control issues.
Paul
[QUOTE=ADHDMD]I personally believe that the ADHD component must be thoroughly treated before seeking another explanation for impulsive behavior.[/QUOTE]
See now.......you'll find many doctors who would disagree with that now that bipolar is the hot diagnosis these days. My son's prescribing psychiatrist started saying about a year ago that it is best to treat with mood stabilizers first and THEN move to ADHD meds. I think all the doctors have gone loopy if you ask me! There are so many disorders and so many new medications (and so many persuasive doctors, teachers and other school officials with differing opinions) it's no wonder we all feel a little bit "crazy."
[QUOTE=ADHDMD] The key feature of bipolar disorder is that bipolar behaviors should be irrational. They should not be clear expressions of just anger and attention-seeking.[/QUOTE]
Exactly what I was told....state of mind not state of the situation.
There is considerable controversy about pediatric bipolar disorder in the psychiatric community. I notice that ADHD symptoms seem almost indistinguishable from 'bipolar' symptoms. The key feature of bipolar disorder is that bipolar behaviors should be irrational. They should not be clear expressions of just anger and attention-seeking. I personally believe that the ADHD component must be thoroughly treated before seeking another explanation for impulsive behavior.