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Post by milesofsmiles on Jul 14, 2005 15:03:27 GMT -5
The psychiatrist recently started our son on the medicine twice a day. At bed time and at breakfast. She figures that he will finally be able to get a restful night sleep for once in his life. I have been trying to get a hold on how long the medication lasts. I know it has to build up in his system, but have only found that the half life of the medicine is betwen 3 and 20 hours. That is a pretty big window. For those giving the medicine twice a day like we are, does the medicine last most of the day, all day, or just in the morning? How much time do we have to let it build up before we notice any difference? Will the difference eventually get longer? I have all of these questions faxed to his Dr. but from the other post you can see I am having a delay in the response. We did notice a small window of peaceful time with him last night. We were just wondering if that window keeps getting bigger, or what to expect on the long road. Thanks, Miles  |
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Post by Amsmom on Jul 14, 2005 19:14:21 GMT -5
 miles! my ds9 has been on risperdal for 5 yrs. i seem to remember that it worked quickly. i dont notice it necessarily wearing off persay, just that he still has some very defiant moments, but NOTHING like the rages he used to have. he takes .5mg in the am and 1 mg in the PM. has the rash that nate got disappeared, i hope? i dont like that new dr either. she sounds terrible.  the first psychiatrist i used for ds was like that and i did get rid of him. ds had gotten a very rapid heartbeat from the first med tried (prozac) and i called the dr with my fears. he never called me back.  that is sooooo unacceptable!!  do you have an insurance plan that gives several other options for psychs? i hope so b/c this one sounds like a  very good luck to you and keep us posted.
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Post by hopeful on Jul 15, 2005 22:01:09 GMT -5
My son takes .25 3xs per day for the last year. It's really helped.
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Post by milesofsmiles on Jul 18, 2005 7:31:22 GMT -5
As I mentioned, I am having a difficult time finding a good web site for the medicaiton. The Dr, gave us the following protocol to follow until the next appointment. She said to watch his reaction and adjust as needed. For day/night doses it was 0.25/0.25 then 0.25/0.50, then 0.50/0.50. Try each for a couple of days and see what happens. We did the 0.5/0.5 yesterday and he was raging mad all day, defiant, unwilling to compromise until about 4:30pm. A total 180 from the days before on lower doses. So back to the lower dose and the focalin. We were hoping to get away from the stimulant all together, but we will have to wait and see. Is this typical when the dosage gets to be too much for his system? Miles |
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Post by Amsmom on Jul 18, 2005 19:41:36 GMT -5
 to you miles i havent had that experience, so sorry to hear that you did. in my experience, the dr didnt increase it at the beginning. he wanted to see how ds did on the .25 mg and when it seemed to help, he didnt increase it. over the yrs we have had to increase as ds grew and the behaviors returned. also for us, ds cant take any stims as they increase the negative behaviors. im wishing that everything improves for you miles. you are such a good dad.
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Post by Blue Oreo on Aug 2, 2005 21:04:42 GMT -5
ALL 3 of my kids are on Risperdal and have been for 2 years now..The boys ages 6,7 are on 1 mg in the AM and PM and yes.. it really works fast and no side effects or drugged feelings.. Cassie is on 3mg at bedtime to help her slow down, relax and think straight. She doesnt have the drugged effects either and it really works well for her. It worked for all of them within the first day, I can tell when they miss a dose, they did cranky and unable to think well or focus.... good luck.. |
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Post by StrugglingAgain on Aug 3, 2005 7:58:32 GMT -5
I have ? about Risperdal. My ds has been off and on it for two years, also. The child psychiatrist insists on a summer break each summer and starting again in the fall when school starts (if needed...and yes, he does need it for aggression). He says if Risperdal is taken long term there is a tic with the mouth like sucking in that develops. Have any of your doctors mentioned that and the likely hood of it happening? I've said this before, I hate playing doctor~~~~~
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Post by Blue Oreo on Aug 3, 2005 13:27:12 GMT -5
NO tics here for my kids .. However I do know if taken too long by females, specially young ones it will stunt puberty from happening . I had a 18yr old fosterdaughter who STILL hasnt had her first period  , nor has the booby fairy arrived for her ;D.. lol my son does the sucking and chewing on anything in site, but thats from his OCD  .. I cant count on how many medical alert bracelets, and neckchains he has eaten over the years. |
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Post by Amsmom on Aug 3, 2005 17:43:47 GMT -5
risperdal given in large dosages for a long period of time can cause movement disorders such as tics, which can be manifested in other ways besides the mouth chewing. when my ds first went on it, the psychiatrist warned that in rare cases, kids can have movement disorders, but KNOCK WOOD, we have not had a problem.
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Post by hopeful on Aug 17, 2005 9:11:47 GMT -5
We tried to change the time of day my son takes his risperdal. We tried all combos, morning/evening, just evening, etc. There was a huge difference. It was as though it wasn't working, so we're back to .25 3x's a day. (The reason why we were changing at all was to see if we could go without during the day). It took a couple of days to see the negative effects of changing the timing, however it was quite quickly we saw the positive effects of going back to 3xs per day. We meet with the doc to day and I'll let you know if he has any other ideas.
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