should we increase lexepro?

[crillmom]

After having a conference with my son's teachers it seems his biggest area of concern is that he is argumentative. Not in an oppositional way but in a "can't shake a thought" way.

My son was diagnosed with ocd two years ago. He was having horrible thoughts that were effecting his daily life. We put him on paxil and within two months the terrible thoughts were gone. Since then we put him on various stims for adhd that have really helped. Academically he is getting all A's and B's. He is pulled out for lang, Arts which is basically spelling and writing. His resource roon teacher told me today that he really dosen't belong in a replacement class, but because of this disruptive behavior he is there.

When I weaned him of paxil last My things were fine until Sept. Then he became very emotional, little things would set him off. The doctor then added a small amount of lexepro to raise his seritonum levels. It seems he is again showing signs of obssesive behaviors and it is effecting his life. The funny thing is he dosen't even see it. He thinks he is doing nothing wrong. He can not shake things off. even if a teacher shows him something written in black and white, if he believes it is something else, there is no convincing him. he is right and the book is wrong. Anyway we have now put into place a behavior mod. Which usually works very well for him. I know if we boost up the lexepro many of these behaviors will lessen. I just don't know if i should. If it means things will get back yo "normal" per se shouldn't I or should I see if the behavior mod works. I was hoping he wouldn't have to be on meds forever and wouyldn't it be best if he learned how to deal with these things on his own. It is such a dilema. I mean if he is already on the meds shouldn't I see if boosting it up will make a diference.

Thanks for listening it always helps to throw these things out there for everyone's opinions. I really appreciate all your help.

[AustinsMom]

I have no experience with lexepro but my son has some ODD stuff and I found an intersting section at Amen's website www.brainplace.com. Check out the Cingulate Gyrus Hyperactivity section; it gives an interesting perspective on the OCD and ODD issue. He also gives some suggestions re: meds and alternative treatments too.

[hopeful]

Hi Crillmom:

Here's something we've noticed. We had been working with behvior mods long before medication. It just didn't seem to be doing much. Doctors even told us how consistant we have been and to keep it up. I just wasn't seeing any results, that is, until we got the meds right. We still have to do all the behavior mod stuff, but it actually does make a difference now.

I often wonder if our son will forever be on meds. That thought is too overwhelming for me. Therefore, I hold on to all the great days, and try and forget the bad ones. Atleast now we do have great days to hold onto. (XMAS vacation was all bad days-ear infection, antibiotics, grumpiness, and snowed in) I never thought it would end. The good days are back now, as of 2 days ago.

Don't know if this helps at all, but I often have to remind myself that we're doing a pretty good job.