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Post by weskie on Sept 19, 2004 17:58:40 GMT -5
We just had a really bad thing happen. DS went back to college and was hospitalized after a week for psychotic thinking. He was diagnosed with possible substance-induced psychosis. The substance? Adderall! I looked up substance-induced psychosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV and found, "agents such as amphetamines have been reported to evoke temporary psychotic states that can sometimes persist FOR WEEKS OR LONGER despite removal of the agent and treatment with neuroleptic medication." Then I looked up Adderall in the Physicians Desk Reference and the FIRST THING under "Adverse Affects--Central Nervous System" was "psychotic episodes AT RECOMMENDED DOSES (rare)". DS is out of the hospital now and feeling much better on a low dose of Risperdal. However, he can't take any stimulant now to study. He is wondering if he can manage this semester without any help for concentration. He may have to take a medical leave to come home and have a careful evaluation. (The college is in a part of the midwest which has NO nearby resources.) Needless to say, I am totally horrified that something like this could happen. Has anyone heard of this kind of reaction?? The PDR did say the reaction was RARE.
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Post by Linda on Sept 19, 2004 18:21:10 GMT -5
OH my gosh I am so sorry this happened.That is the first time I have heard of this happening!!Even If It Is rare It still happened!
I hope your son remains stable and Is able to continue his studies in college.Keep us updated....this is frightening.....Linda
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Post by rosyred45 on Sept 20, 2004 9:15:53 GMT -5
Oh Weskie, that had to have been scary. I've not specifically heard that, but I'm glad he's getting better.
Is there any kind of behavior mods that could help him study? Study buddy or something like that? I know, college aged, BUT it helped me when I was in College.
((((((((hugs)))))))
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Post by catseye on Sept 20, 2004 9:25:43 GMT -5
WOW! That had to be very frightening... I just cant imagine... Is it the combo of adderall and risperdal or just the adderall? (as a parent of a child on adderal~! ARGH~)
cat
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Post by finnmom on Sept 20, 2004 9:29:52 GMT -5
Weskie, so sorry to hear about that, thank you for telling us!! I hope you´ll son get´s better soon and will be able to continue this semester. That´s frightening...  |
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Post by mskris on Sept 20, 2004 9:59:53 GMT -5
Weskie:
Have you considered Strattera? It is not a stimulant (amphetamine). Just a thought. I'd have to check the pdr to see if it has the same adverse reaction listed. Will get back to you.
Kris
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Post by mskris on Sept 20, 2004 10:05:00 GMT -5
Weskie:
Nope - it's not listed in the pdr as an adverse reaction. Was your son taking anything else, even over-the-counter medications? He/you should always tell the doc/pharmacist if he's taking anything else.
Kris
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Post by weskie on Sept 20, 2004 13:12:04 GMT -5
Thanks for all the support! It really helps! DS was put on Risperdal in the hospital. He's still on it. The only other thing he was taking when this happened was Celexa for depression. He's still on that. Since third grade, he's always had a stimulant to help with schoolwork--now he's being told he can't take anything. Needless to say, he is worried about being able to stay in school. Yesterday he took one 10 mg Ritalin tablet and said he was able to work better--I don't know where he got it. He is not supposed to take Ritalin now. I went over the risk factors with him and urged him to talk with his therapist (not an MD) and his psychiatrist (he's only seen him once and his office is not close to the college). I'm going to set up some appointments for him when he comes home for fall break in October, and hope that he doesn't have to take a medical leave sooner than that. DH and I drove him out to school three weeks ago (24 hours round trip)--then DH flew there to get him out of the hospital and find a therapist and psychiatrist. He ended up spending a week and thank goodness he was able to. Now we are going to drive out there again this weekend, really just for support but also on the off chance that DS might have to come home. This week is his chance to evaluate whether he can make it or not. (I'm glad the college is small. He might have fallen through the cracks at a larger place.) After all the difficulties DS had with ADD at a younger age, now THIS. DD, 4 years older, has ADD too but has had much less difficulty with it than DS.
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Post by weskie on Sept 20, 2004 13:15:59 GMT -5
DS tried Strattera some time ago. He didn't like it because he said it made him sleepy. However, that may be what he has to take now, because it isn't a stimulant. The decision will have to be made when he sees his psychopharmacologist in October. She's followed him for a while but hasn't seen him recently. She's aware of the present situation and I'm sure will have some good ideas about it.
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Post by mskris on Sept 20, 2004 14:08:47 GMT -5
sounds like a good plan, Weskie. Wishing your son all the best.
Kris
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Post by AnneM on Oct 29, 2004 13:38:34 GMT -5
GOOD LUCK Weskie ... I see from your thread on another board that it is now suspected your son has bipolar. This could very likely explain the problems with the stims ... from what I understand bipolar and stims are just not compatible.
Hopefully however you will find your son the RIGHT medication very soon ... GOOD LUCK
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SKay
Member Emeritus
Posts: 1,126
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Post by SKay on Oct 30, 2004 8:45:36 GMT -5
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Post by camismom on Nov 2, 2004 13:30:33 GMT -5
I beleive it completely.... my dd's first med was Adderall. she was dx'd in first grade. It only took me two days to see Adderall wasn't for her. My little first grader turned into a complete monster. The last memorey I have of her was the evening of the second and last day she took it. We had to leave my sister's wedding rececption early because she was going nuts. When we got back to the hotel she stood in the middle of the bed and threatened to kill me or anyone else that touched her. She was kicking, screaming, biting, everything. Completely not herself.
I'm glad you aught this and wish you luck for the future.
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