Risperdal???

[lisle]

Oh Mama:
Have you looked at Abilify, a newer drug (that in and of itself is the problem--it's what we don't know that can hurt us)? We are considering this now. A lot of dr. are of the belief that kids like yours and mine (possibly eobipolar)can benefit from a year or two on an antipsychotic med because it helps gain control over the behaviors that are undermining their growth and self-esteem. I worry, as you do, about the type of med and the intensity of it. I worry too though if I don't give it.
I am a mess trying to decide. I am heartened by your positive experience at the Amen Clinic. We have a Pdoc and this dr. ,who is very respectful with our son and me, is so overbooked that I often wonder if he can give his full attention to each child. I don't know how Amen does it. Can't they continue to prescribe for your son? I was assuming they could. If you go to bipolarchild.com (newsletter for 2002)you will find an article about Abilify. Of course you have to take it with a huge grain of sodium.
lisle

[ohmama]

Lisle,
I'm seriously considering going back to the Amen Clinic for treatment. The problem is that it is several hundred miles away and I would need to make the trip at least once a month. The cost would not be covered by my insurance because those doctors are not on our insurance plan. Besides the cost, I can't make these trips in winter because of driving over the mountain passes with my PT Cruiser would be too dangerous. The thought of flying scares me even more. Just too much $$ also.

I will see what happens in the spring. It is just not possible now. So, I'm stuck with what I have and will try to hold it together till I get another brain storm. I hope to find another doctor that will work with us. One that I can trust for good medical treatment. I don't want to make all the decisions about medication. It would be nice if the doctor did that. Isn't that part of his job? I really resent it that I have to walk into the doctors office and tell him what I think is best. I want a doctor who will tell me what he thinks is best and advise me why he thinks it. I will not blindly follow advice. Then I want to know what my choices are and I will do the research before I make the decision. I already have the correct dx, how hard can it be?

[lauries]

WOW,
Thanks for all this valuable info. I haven't been online for a while. My son was not given any different check up prior to his using risperdal. As far as the blood tests, he gets one done every year since he went on the concerta. I don't know about the strat & risperdol meds, though. I guess we'll find out in July.
My son can definitely use a few pounds since he is such a little squirt, so there is no problem with weight gain.
I love the way this med is working on him. It is letting him be himself & his thought processing is clearer. He has severe auditory processing difficulties & this does seem to make a difference.

We have an apt on the 16th. Thank God I trust my doctor. He is the head of pediatric psychiatry at our leading hospital. He is very down to earth & up to date on all the meds. That is probably why I Put Bri on the med without my own research first.
Will keep you informed on our progress. Yes, I am always optimistic!
Thanks,Laurie

[Amsmom]

My ds8 is on Risperdal and it decreased his aggressive behavior considerably. He had an EEG and I was warned of the movement disorder side effects. Thank God and knock wood, he has not experienced these side effects. Because of this warning, though, it was very hard for me to agree to him being on it, but I am glad I did. Re the weight gain, he did gain weight for awhile, but that side effect has passed and his weight is now within normal limits.