oh mama, do I need you!

[lisle]

Hi, Oh mama:
This is not your son JOHNNY Bravo! Just kidding--love your name.

How are you doing with the Depakote? Is it still effective and no side effects? Any changes? I am considering it for our son. Still very very nervous.
lisle

[ohmama]

Hello Lisle,
I love that cartoon too. It kind of inspired the name cause my boys would imitate the voice of Johnny Bravo and call me Oh Mama! when I'm all dressed up.

We went to the lab today for the blood depakote level check. Won't know the results till next week. I think it's almost time to add something else now that he is stable (no tantrums or breakdowns). The depakote has been very mild with still no side effects. I will try adding Tyrosine to address the adhd symptoms when I get the test results.

I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing? Is your son on Respidol now?

[lisle]

Oh, Mama,
Thanks for answering. No, we tried risperdal a long time ago when my 12 yo was only 7 or so. He developed lip smacking and was falling asleep at school. He was on Tenex then too. I just looked up all this. Since Dec. 2001 he's been on the Pfeiffer program only. Now with puberty kicking in and my feeling more worn down than ever, and his behavior not changing at all, we need to look elsewhere. Pfeiffer definitely helped with some things, but he hated taking eight vits. morn and night and never would follow the diet as they wanted him to.
He is still really oppositional and often not rule abiding, and I am beginning to worry that if we don't do meds we could actually be harming him more than the meds would. If only we can find something that works.

Are you sure your son's issues are attention and not a learning disability? I find processing and attention to be a tangled web with our son. Have you had testing--don't recall.
lisle

[ohmama]

Lisle,
In second grade I was told he had a learning disability (reading) and he was put in a special class. Even that didn't teach him how to read! I got really fed up with the school where we lived so decided to home school him. It took me less than a week to see he was an excellent student. It was fun to teach him and he loved to learn. Evidently it was the one on one attention that he required. He learned to read that year and is now up to grade level. It amazed me how easy he was to teach. Was it the class room setting and distractions? His inability to sit still? Probably, I don't know.

Now he is back in regular school (4th grade) and I am told he does not have a learning disability. Of course there are the usual problems with hyperactivity that don't help. He scored above average on testing, nothing brilliant but he can learn if you can get him to sit still. I am most anxious to see how to accomplish this challenge.

[BBW4EVR1]

It is interesting to hear about your success with Depakote, OhMama! Our son (age 10) is still on Depakote and Risperdal and is doing great--finally. I know you had some concerns about the Depakote in the beginning. Glad to hear you are having Depakote levels taken. I would be interested to know what the theraputic level your son's doc. is shooting for and what your son's actual level is--if you don't mind sharing.

I am still a HUGE fan of both Depakote and Risperdal. Risperdal saved our son's life and our family life. I hope things continue to go well for both of you.

Lisle-perhaps your son's dosage was to high on the Risperdal-our son started on .5 mg and now we cut the tablets in half so he takes 1/2 pill per day along with his Depakote--he takes Depakote for seizure control due to Epilepsy. You are right in pondering the situation with or without meds--we all second guess ourselves as parents-I wish I had a crystal ball so this would all be easier. But alas, I have only been given the titile of mother to get through this. We went through many meds before we tried Risperdal--in our case it has been remarkable. Perhaps you should give Risperdal another try now that your son is older--it might be worth a shot! Good luck! ;D

[ohmama]

BBW,
I just found out his Depakote blood level today, it's 53. The doctor says that's ok and just keep giving the 250mg in the AM and PM = 500mg a day. I should also watch for any emotional meltdowns or emotional behavior that is unusual as that will signal a need for a higher dose. He doesn't even seem like he is on a med. It's not what I expected at all. I think I had visions of a zombie walking around. Did you notice any drugged effect with using this med for your son?

I just got off the phone with the nurse and told her I want to add something to address the adhd symptoms now that his mood is stable. I plan on using the amino acid Tyrosine, 250mg to start and will increase to 500mg in a few days. She wasn't familiar with it but is checking with the doctor and will get back to me. I would rather do this than use a stimulant. The research seems to support it as being a good alternative. Will keep everyone posted.

Thanks so much you guys for being there for me!

[BBW4EVR1]

Thankfully, our son had absolutely no side effect reactions to the Depakote. His level is usually between 70 and 80 - theraputic (as I understand it) is between 50 and 100 at the trough period. I wish you continued success with the Depakote-it has really worked for us for more than just our son's seizures!!

I have missed reading your posts-you are always so helpful and compasionate-thank you! ;D

[dfp]

This thread has been particularly helpful to me. Depakote may be on our horizon too. Our son recently was hearing voices (ACK!), and given my description of the events, the dr. wants to investigate the possibility of partial complex seizures. Sigh. The news doesn't get better, does it?

Glad Depakote is working for you guys. One question, though. The psych. said that if we are dealing with a seizure disorder, Risperdal can make people more seizure-prone. Have you found that?

Thanks for the info!

dfp

[HooDunnit]

Good going on those test results ohmama. This all seems to be turning out quite well for you.

Barry

[BBW4EVR1]

DFP-
Our son was diagnosed with Epilepsy 4 years ago and has been on Depakote since that time. He has been on Risperdal since July of '03. The only seizures that have occurred since he has been on Risperdal happened two weeks ago. Our son cam down with strep throat and had a high fever. He experienced what we call "break through" seizures. They were small--not enough to even adjust his meds. However, these seizures probably would have happened whether or not he was on the Risperdal as any child with a seizure disorder who gets a high fever is prone to seizures because of the fever. We have been EXTREMELY pleased with the results of the Depakote and Risperdal. In our case, the Risperdal has worked miracles.

[ohmama]

Barry,
It seems to take the edge off a little. There are still other symptoms to deal with. I guess there always will be LOL!

[dfp]

bbw4evr1,
Thanks for sharing your experience. That was helpful!

dfp

[ohmama]

Just had a call from the nurse. The doctor wants to put him back on Strattera now that the moods are leveled out/stable. I don't know what to think about that. He was on this before and it didn't do any good. There were some side effects, stomach ache, headache and hyper behavior at the end of the 5th week. I guess he thinks it's worth a try now.

Strattera and Depakote. Is anyone taking this?

[lisle]

Oh mama:
Is this the dr. from Amen's clinic? I have been wondering. Sorry if you already said.

Well, today I went to the ped. pharmacologist (psychiatrist)with my son and asked about the anticonvulsants. He said there isn't efficacy in kids with them and the same thing with lithium. This really surprised me. He is very learned and very up on what's new. It just doesn't seem to be what you or others have experienced. Are you going to try the Strat?
Have him take it with a full meal if you hadn't before.
lisle

[BBW4EVR1]

Oh Mama

Was he on Depakote the last time he took Strat. If he wasn't perhaps the Depakote will cut help him not experience such tramatic side effects with the Strat. I don't know - as I have never used Strat. We have tried Adderall, Adderall XR, Ritalin all while on Depakote. The only thing that has worked for us with Depakote is the Risperdal.

Just a thought about the Strat. and the Depakote.